Preview

Religion In Beowulf

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1427 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Religion In Beowulf
Culture makes an impact on Religion
Culture defines a person’s belief, characteristics, certain practices, values, way of thinking, and acting about a certain position. Each individual is represented by their own culture, and how it is supposed to be done in a certain way. In the epic, Beowulf, and the movie Beowulf and Grendel, Beowulf shows two different perspectives and feelings towards religion. Not only this, but extra characters are added to the movie that were not a part of the poem, and causes a character conflict. During the epic and in the movie, religion is treated very seriously during the time of Beowulf because of the different cultures in the scenes and how each character is not like the other. The cultural values, within both
…show more content…
As for the movie, he treats religion as if he has no interest in converting into Christianity or doesn't care anything about it. Since he is strong he must think that he doesn't need help to be protected. One of the scenes during the movie is talking about the people going through the process of baptism. Beowulf exact words about his thoughts towards baptism were, “They swim out of fear.” His point of this was to emphasize how the people really don't know about religion, but instead are doing it because they want and think it will protect them. He views it as a way for them to feel like they will have no more fear after they get baptized. This could be a comparison of how some people today may view baptism or even don't have any interest in religion. The reason for this is because they don't see the significance of it. Although Christians clearly see the purpose of baptism. It represents something and is very important to them. In the movie, it shows how the baptism is being done in some type of lake. Christians may be baptized in like as well if they liked to or could be baptized in a church. That is one of the common things between the movie and real life. Wrathgar, and as well as other characters shows a different point of view of baptism from Beowulf. Wrathgar explains to Beowulf how believing in after life will then be worth believing in at …show more content…
It has some differences, but then some things in common as well. Religion is a part of the poem, movie, and as well real life. Beowulf is one of the types that doesn't care about faith or anything having to deal with Christianity. He thinks that he is fine the way he is and thinks that baptism won't give him protection. Beowulf is the opposite of the characters and is not going to deal with religion. Unlike other characters who have their faith and believe in God. Culture makes a huge impact on a person’s belief and makes them who they are. We see how it's like for Beowulf and Wrathgar in the movie. They both have different thoughts, feeling, and opinions about religion and other as well. Along with an addition to the characters in the movie it kind of shows the different cultures of each person and as well if they are Christians or not. It emphasizes their beliefs about things that happen. Culture is very important in the way a person thinks and believes in their

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Beowulf is a hero that fought a monster that no one else could defeat. He is a warrior from Scandinavia and the poem is mainly about “good versus evil.” Beowulf, a strong, loyal and brave warrior that wants glory and fame amongst the other warriors. Fighting a monster named Grendel. Once, he heard about the monster, he sailed to Herot to tell Hrothgar that he will kill the monster Grendel as he boast about his previous successes, such as fighting and killing sea creatures. But in the movie, it shares a lot of similarities and differences. For example, is the characters themselves, they have different characteristics from the movie and poem. And, this poem has a lot of information that discusses about the significance of the Anglo Saxons. In…

    • 926 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the decade of, Beowulf there was different views and beliefs that can be viewed in this century as barbaric and brutal. The Epic of Beowulf and Beowulf and Grendel is a perfect example of the religious differences and views of the people of this particular century. (Gunnarsson, S.) (Heaney, Seamus) In Beowulf and Grendel there was a more pronounced difference in religious views than in the Epic of Beowulf done to try to be more relatable to today's society. The movie Beowulf and Grendel reflects more of a religious conflict between Christianity and Norse mythology than in the epic of Beowulf, this reflects the modernization put into the movie by today’s view of religion.…

    • 1122 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Another one of Christian beliefs that is defined in Beowulf, is the representative of Paganism. The paganism components talks about in Beowulf, fist talks about Grendel’s portrayal. Grendel is described in these lines: “Till the monster stirred, that demon, that fiend, Grendel, who haunted the moors, the wild Marshes, and made his home in a hell” (l. 16-18). All the way through the poem the devilish monster Grendel, that has hate towards Herot Hall and the meeting of his men partying. In line for to this he waits on them till after partying are over in the Herot Hall once the men are intoxicated and comes in and murder Hrothgar’s men parting him to live in grief and mourn the death of his men. The funeral Beowulf demanded before he die also…

    • 298 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Although there are many examples of Pagan beliefs in the poem Beowulf, the poem points more toward a Christian influence and meaning. Beowulf is seen as a God to the Geat people, and they turn to the Almighty to save them from evil. Grendel is portrayed as a “monster of Cain” and lives underground. He represents the darkness of the Pagan beliefs, as well as Hell. The battle between good and evil - between Christianity and Pagan beliefs – is continued throughout the poem.…

    • 684 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf is an epic poem that is filled with many different mythological character, and religious symbols. Beowulf is a story that has been retold, translated, and interpreted in many different ways. As a result of this story being interpreted and translated through the years; there is a combination of both the Christian religion and Pagan beliefs.…

    • 580 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf is a historical and elegiac Anglo-Saxon poem. Religion is an irritable subject and one of the main topics. The heroic character Beowulf is a depiction of superior and God. Grendel is the delineation of the Pagan beliefs as well as the corrupt in the world. This poem is composed of internal and external complications between the Pagan’s and the Christian’s beliefs. Even though Paganism is meticulously extended throughout the text, there are several references about Christianity. Keywords and phrases such as “fate”, “hoping for hell’s support, and many more help the reader understand the different religions that are visible in this poem. The anonymous author of Beowulf thrived with the legendary poem by embracing Paganism, Christianity, and the conflicts of both religions.…

    • 601 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf is the stepping stone for the creation of many stories of good vs. evil, ending with the hero receiving unending praise and adoration. With that many of the people who read of the epic poem now relate to it on many levels, my belief is that the Christian elements throughout this poem make it more intriguing to the modern day peruser. The author of the poem is unknown but based on the style of wording used and the Paganistic elements it is believed to have originally been scribed by Christian monks. Beowulf is a 'story' that has been passed down for generations being used as entertainment by the Anglo-Saxons in 10th century England. The biblical jewels hidden throughout this story not only help a reader to relate to the author’s work…

    • 1025 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf Religion Essay

    • 677 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In this epic heroic poetry, Beowulf (8th- early 11th century) the author which remains a mystery suggests that Christianity will overpower or transition the early medieval Scandinavia which is pagan into Christianity due to the fact that Beowulf being the people’s hero and main hope references God more than once which shows the introduction of Christianity context. The author specifically references the Christian story of Cain and Abel which shows the slow but growing introduction of Christianity to the pagan early medieval Scandinavia. The author purposely ties/connects the main hero, Beowulf, with early references of Christianity in order to show that although Beowulf is the narrator and is not pagan, his trust in god allowed him to protect…

    • 677 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Beowulf was originally written as a pagan oral tradition before the Christian monks infused their religion into it. The epic hero showed his faith to God as he battled the monsters and depicted the world of Christianity. However, the ideas in the poem are presented in both Christian God and pagan power which exemplifies Wyrd. Christianity and paganism are at opposite ends of the religious spectrum and each represent different beliefs and customs. Christians believe and follow the teachings of Christ and depend on the Bible for Spiritual guidance, but paganism is based on the belief and worshiping of other gods through sacrifices. Interspersed in each line is both elements, from the prologue to its end, each element tells its own story.…

    • 1611 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Religion In Beowulf

    • 1647 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Indisputably, the epic poem Beowulf, the author of which is unknown, has a history that is equally as intriguing as its content. The poem has traversed far greater distances than the Baltic Sea, which its hero crossed to reach the land of the Danes, and has faced perils commensurate to the demons that appear in the poem to reach modern day readers. The most striking reminder of the epic’s rich history is the presence of both Anglo-Saxon and Christian elements within the text. Although the poem was likely composed in the sixth century, within a pagan culture, it was not transcribed until circa 1000 AD, and was therefore subject to Christian modification. The combination of both Anglo-Saxon and Christian cultural components lend the epic a unique…

    • 1647 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Religion In Beowulf

    • 1792 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Beowulf is a masterpiece that has pillaged and powered through centuries of oral retelling and translating just as the character it vividly illustrates does throughout the epic. Despite being so impressive and entertaining on the surface, the Old English classic embodies something a lot greater, and that is the moral struggle of religion going on at the time. Religion played a huge role in Anglo-Saxon culture for it was what gave the people a reason to live for, it was what motivated people to work to make it through the harsh winters. Even today, it can be seen that people require that extrinsic motivation to work hard and push through obstacles in their path. The dichotomy of Paganism and Christianity at the time is depicted by the tone of the narrator, which subliminally hints at what their own beliefs are, symbols, that accentuate the severity of the dichotomy itself, and allusions as well as foreshadowing, that further the Christian impact on the poem.…

    • 1792 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    The classic epic tale Beowulf is a masterpiece that stands out in the literature of the past. Many characters in the poem struggle to define their religion at the time because Christianity was recently introduced in their Anglo-Saxon communities. Among them all, the main character Beowulf showed the most indecisiveness. In his words and actions, Beowulf embodies both Christian and Anglo-Saxon ideals; however, they reveal him to be more of a Christian than a pagan.…

    • 873 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the reading of Beowulf, it is clear that the author is the moral compass that directs the poem and keeps this mindset through the whole story. With doing outside research I noticed different scholars frequently question whether or not the author was writing with his Christian faith as the mainstream of his work. Many would say Beowulf is somewhat of a Christ figure. Grendel is also what man may call the devil. This somewhat contradicts the common census of this actual piece being pagan theology. With other readings of different essays and articles they each had more concern of the Christian aspect concerning on the story. You can tell that the author was writing from a Christian perspective, talking about villains and the standards they have to uphold/and to shows these common qualities shared among believers of the Christian faith.…

    • 838 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The epic poem Beowulf is a tale of a warrior, named Beowulf, and the events that lead to his death. One of the main concerns of the epic poem was whether or not it is of pagan or Christian origin, or whether it has pagan or Christian influences. Even though the poem appeared to be originally a pagan story, there are many clues in the text that point to Christian influence and tradition. Beowulf is essentially a Christian story with Christian customs: that man's survival depends on the protection of God, that earthly gifts come from God, and also that Beowulf is a Christ-figure.…

    • 841 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In Beowulf christianity reveals itself, in which the reader emotions may feel sympathy from the ideas in relates to the bible. The characters in Beowulf take on different roles that are similar to the characters in the bible. The setting also includes christian elements for example, Herot Hall that Hrothgar built in honor of his fame, were celebrations were held with his men. In Beowulf lines 14- 15 describes celebration and peace in Herot Hall: “As now warriors sang of their pleasure: So Hrothgar’s men lived happy in his hall.” Even though Herot hall is the place were the celebration occurred; however, Grendel’s hatred for Herot’s celebration causes him swooped in while Hrothgar’s men were drunk and killed them all. Another Christianity Element discussed in the Beowulf is Beowulf heroism, how he uses God through all of his battles. Before the battle against Grendel, Beowulf says in lines 174-175: “God must decide/Who will be given to death’s cold grip.” In this quote Beowulf is basically saying that God will decide who will win between him and Grendel in battle because he requested to fight with his hands alone. Upon Beowulf’s death from his last battle with the dragon, he thank God from the heavens above for allowing his…

    • 1002 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays