The Religious Principles Of Beowulf - 1236 Words

Syncretism is defined as the combination of different beliefs or practices. This term is an important topic within Beowulf, since the poem has obviously united two religious principles. Beowulf is dedicated to expressing and explaining the Germanic heroic code, but there are specific moments when Christianity and paganism over laps. Though Paganism focuses on victory, honor, and masculinity the author manages to add the act of forgiving your enemies, the significance of the monsters within the poem and Christian literature, the idea the all glory should be given to god since he holds your faith, and the pagan’s attempt to combine the Christian god with their beliefs. The poem juggles these two beliefs while still accommodation their fundamental values. Some may argue syncretism isn’t active in the poem, but I disagree because there are countless examples where the two religions meet such as the narrator noting how the pagans attempts to unite the idea of the Christian g od with pagan beliefs and imagery. Within Beowulf syncretism is tied in closely with descriptive language as well as imagery. The poet does this to create two perspectives between the religions. For example, â€Å"But the Lord was weaving a victory on His war-loom for the Weather-Geats (696-697)†. This quote exemplifies how the poet is creating a connective imagery with the Christian God and pagan images. â€Å"The Lord† is obviously the Christian god, but in this case he is â€Å"weaving a victory†. Fate is a major paganShow MoreRelatedPaganism In Beowulf1683 Words   |  7 Pageswithin the epic poem Beowulf is the continuous, underlying theme of good versus evil – the shift from paganism to Christianity. Although this epic consists of the battle between the hero, Beowulf, and the monster, Grendel (and Grendel’s mother, as well), the main overture of the story is that of the new Christian belief triumphing over evil and the old pagan beliefs. This value is but one of many that c ontrast the pagan and Christian principles in Anglo-Saxon and in Beowulf. The blending and cultivationRead MoreTheme Of Paganism In Beowulf1179 Words   |  5 Pageslongest epic poem ever written in the genre of Old English is â€Å"Beowulf†, it has been composed in the native language as spoken during the Anglo-Saxon reign in England, preceding the Norman Conquest. Beowulf is regarded as a classic tale which relates the defeat of evil and triumph of good. The poem is divided into three acts. 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However, as scholars have debated over the religious context in Beowulf, the attempts by the monks to turn the epic poem into a Christian parable ended merged, including both original and Christian aspects. Throughout Beowulf, the epic combines pagan ide als of fate or wyrd and the will of God, the similar conceptsRead MoreEssay about Christian And Pagan Ideals In Beowulf1335 Words   |  6 Pagesvalues, and past events. Written down in approximately 1,000 A.D. by an unknown author, Beowulf, originally a pagan fable, became a Christian allegory upon its transcription by Christian monks. However, as scholars have debated over the religious context in Beowulf, the attempts by the monks to turn the epic poem into a Christian parable ended merged, including both original and Christian aspects. Throughout Beowulf, the epic combines pagan ideals of fate or wyrd and the will of God, the similar conceptsRead More Beowulf Society Essay1717 Words   |  7 Pages Beowulf Society The earliest known manuscript of Beowulf is thought to have been written in the tenth century, however, the poem had most likely been told as an oral tradition for centuries before that. In fact, the poem’s events date back to the sixth century. However, because there is only one manuscript of Beowulf still in tact very little is known about the poem or its author. The poem does, however, give us great insight into the culture of the people who composed and told this epic tale.Read MoreBeowulf Society1744 Words   |  7 PagesBeowulf Society The earliest known manuscript of Beowulf is thought to have been written in the tenth century, however, the poem had most likely been told as an oral tradition for centuries before that. In fact, the poems events date back to the sixth century. However, because there is only one manuscript of Beowulf still in tact very little is known about the poem or its author. The poem does, however, give us great insight into the cult ure of the people who composed and told this epic tale. BecauseRead MoreThe Battle Against Grendel s Mother890 Words   |  4 PagesBeowulf sets his sights towards Grendel s mother shortly after the second attack on Heorot. Grendel s mother is similarly linked to Cain just as her son was. According to the selection, it is said that after Cain was cast away by God, his mark of murder followed him. Everywhere Cain walked, monsters and shadows arose from the ground in which Grendel s mother is a result of. It is interesting to note that the story of Beowulf effortlessly contorted the Christian story of Cain by adding PaganRead MoreThe Many Heroes of Our Day963 Words   |  4 Pagesto the king.. In the story Beowulf, it says Â….had been served as hed boasted hed serve them: Beowulf, a prince of the Geats, had killed Grendel... (Beowulf pg. 24 lines 119-120). It is clearly sated that he boasted about his victory in killing Grendel. It was not a humble action he had done, but one to gain more fame and glory and to emphasize his victory. And then, in the morning, crowds surrounded Herot, warriors coming to that hall from faraway landsÂ… (Beowulf pg. 24 lines 127- 129) TheRead MoreBeowulf And The Pagan Elements1944 Words   |  8 Pages Beowulf was written in England about sometime in the 8th century. This provides us with an idea of that when the poem was written during a time when society was in the process if being converted from the Paganism Religion to the Christianity Religion. The Christian influences were combined with the early folklores and heroic legends of the German tribes, that whether or not Christian and bible influences were added later on to the original document. The fact that Christianity and Paganism were so