Beowulf A Pagan Work Essay Research Paper

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Beowulf: A Pagan Work Essay, Research Paper

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Beowulf: A Pagan Work

The verse form Beowulf was written in England sometime in the eighth century. It was written during a clip when the society was in the procedure of being converted from pagan religion to Christianity. The Christian influences are combined with early folklore and epic fables of Germanic folk. Yet, the heathen elements in the heroic poem verse form Beowulf clearly overshadow the Christian elements, and it is seeable in the character & # 8217 ; s superhuman personifications, their hungriness for retaliation, and their strong belief in destiny.

The chief character, Beowulf, is depicted as a superhero in many of his extraordinary conflicts. During the conflict with Grendel & # 8217 ; s female parent, when Beowulf realizes that Unferth & # 8217 ; s blade is useless against the monster & # 8217 ; s thick tegument, he grabs & # 8220 ; & # 8230 ; the best of all arms / But so monolithic that no ordinary adult male could raise / Its carved and decorated length & # 8221 ; ( 1558-1561 ) . This shows the significance of Beowulf & # 8217 ; s strength, because if it were any other adult male, they would non be able to raise this blade and kill Grendel & # 8217 ; s female parent. His strength is far superior to any other human, and hence Beowulf fits the heroic poem and heathen quality of being & # 8220 ; caput and shoulders & # 8221 ; above the remainder. Another case where Beowulf demonstrates his superhero abilities, is his concluding conflict with the firedrake. Beowulf is a really old adult male by now and although he is, in the terminal, fatally wounded, he manages to present the concluding blow that kills the firedrake. His deficiency of fright to contend the firedrake by himself, is portrayed when he tells his friends to remain outside so they will non acquire injured. Even as an aged individual, Beowulf still has the same extraordinary bravery and strength as earlier in the verse form. And even with age, he has non lost the qualities that make him universally good known, and an outstanding hero. These conflicts are illustrations of heroic poem folklore during heathen times.

Another heathen component is seeable in the craving for retaliation by many of the Anglo-Saxons. Beowulf illustrates this want for retribution after Hrothgar loses one of

his counsellors to Grendel: “Let your sorrow terminal! It is better for us all / To revenge our friends, non mourn them forever” ( 1384-1385 ) . This transition disproves the thought that Beowulf is a Christian verse form, because taking an oculus for an oculus is non at all a Christian belief. Revenge is an thought promoted by Pagans, and was thought to be necessary to revenge to decease of a friend. Another act of retaliation is seen when Beowulf attempts to get the better of the firedrake after it wreaks mayhem on the land of the Geats, doing much harm. Even though Beowulf was really old, the fame-hungry male monarch was seeking requital for the rage the firedrake had lashed out onto his metropolis. Beowulf is evidently really chesty and hot-headed, and does non follow Christian thoughts and beliefs. It is proven that this heroic poem verse form is a heathen work, because of the recognized seeking of retaliation.

One concluding heathen facet of this verse form, is the strong belief that everyone was in the custodies of destiny, the thought that your life is predetermined. For case, when the work forces of Herot are expecting Grendel & # 8217 ; s wrath, Beowulf provinces, & # 8220 ; Fate will wind off as it must! & # 8221 ; ( 455 ) . This shows that the warriors did non worry about what would go on, because they are unable to alter what is already planned for the hereafter. Beowulf & # 8217 ; s bravery is besides explained in this section, since he could non change the hereafter no affair what he did, he was non afraid of what would go on. Another juncture where destiny takes control is when the firedrake kills Beowulf. He has lived a long and meaningful life, but this tragic event proves that everyone is in the custodies of destiny. This besides negates the belief that Beowulf is a Christian verse form, because the Christian belief is that one & # 8217 ; s life is in the custodies of God, and is non determined by destiny.

Beowulf is clearly a heathen verse form because it conveys criterions that are about the antonym of Christian beliefs. The heathen beliefs of the clip are accepted and followed wholly. The really evident facets of this verse form that make it heathen are, character & # 8217 ; s superhuman personifications, a strong belief in destiny, and a yearning for retaliation.

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