This epic, however, is an undeniable example of the hybrid of Christian and Pagan imagery. In several parts throughout the story, Beowulf seems at odds between being a Christian, being chivalrous, and keeping Pagan traditions, and project plenty of examples of both values. Though he is Christian, he cannot, and does not seem to want to, deny the fundamental pagan values of the story. Although Beowulf most likely began as such a pagan epic, it eventually was expanded to include Christian elements, with some of the blame placed on the several different rewrites and interpretations over the cent...

• Word Count: 425
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

I think that the reason Beowulf is more concerned with these things than a good Christian would be lies in his Pagan beliefs. Pagans did not believe in God, Satan, heaven or hell. ... I do not think that Pagan culture is completely celebrated in Beowulf though. ... Beowulf also wished be cremated which is a more Pagan ritual. ... I also think that Beowulf's death suggests that the Pagan values of fame and wealth are wrong. ...

• Word Count: 1464
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

The fact that Christianity and Paganism are so closely intertwined in the poem is the reason Beowulf has both Christian and pagan influences. The pagan elements in the epic poem Beowulf are evident in the characters superhuman personifications. ... These battles are examples of epic folklore during pagan times. ... In conclusion, the author of Beowulf was very effective in combining pagan and Christian ideas in his poem. ... In mixing Christian and pagan ideas, the poet of Beowulf was able to emphasize the morals of his time and to enhance his characters with Christian values and pagan legen...

• Word Count: 1142
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

The fact that Christianity and Paganism are so closely intertwined in the poem is the reason Beowulf has both Christian and pagan influences. The pagan elements in the epic poem Beowulf are evident in the characters superhuman personifications. ... These battles are examples of epic folklore during pagan times. ... In conclusion, the author of Beowulf was very effective in combining pagan and Christian ideas in his poem. ... In mixing Christian and pagan ideas, the poet of Beowulf was able to emphasize the morals of his time and to enhance his characters with Christian values and pagan ...

• Word Count: 1145
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

The fact that Christianity and Paganism are so closely intertwined in the poem is the reason Beowulf has both Christian and pagan influences. The pagan elements in the epic poem Beowulf are evident in the characters superhuman personifications. ... These battles are examples of epic folklore during pagan times. ... In conclusion, the author of Beowulf was very effective in combining pagan and Christian ideas in his poem. ... In mixing Christian and pagan ideas, the poet of Beowulf was able to emphasize the morals of his time and to enhance his characters with Christian values and pagan ...

• Word Count: 1146
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

The fact that the two values are so closely intertwined in the poem, I believe that is the reason Beowulf has both Christian and pagan influences. The pagan elements in the epic poem Beowulf are evident in the characters superhuman personifications. ... These battles are examples of epic folklore during pagan times. ... Beowulf's single destiny is to help his people by dying while fighting a supernatural creature. " If Beowulf's confrontation with the dragon is a symbol of evil, then Beowulf's death, to the pagan, would be regarded as a victory for Satan because Beow...

• Word Count: 1523
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

Beowulf Beowulf is the first surviving epic written in the English language. ... Originally pagan warriors, the Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian invaders experienced a large-scale conversion to Christianity at the end of the sixth century. Though still an old pagan story, Beowulf thus came to be narrated by a Christian, and he makes the Christian world extremely visible. He alludes to Cain and the Flood, and he shows the Christian God's influence upon the pagan world of the Danes. Yet he is obviously aware of his culture's pagan past and attempts to describe it in great detail t...

• Word Count: 1089
• Approx Pages: 4

This Anglican poet fuses Scandinavian history and pagan mythology with Christian elements. ... It is interesting that these basic pagan values are not done away with simply because the poet is a Christian. ... Another character who serves well to infuse Christianity within this pagan world is Hrothgar. ... Another Pagan value that seems to be assimilated into the Christian culture is that of "wyrd" or fate. ... Overall I believe the anonymous poet does a remarkable job in blending the pagan and Christian traditions. ...

• Word Count: 1090
• Approx Pages: 4

Weaving Christian and Pagan Beliefs Beowulf is a great example of the convergence of Christian and pagan beliefs through its reference to pagan gods and God in the Christian belief. ... Subsequently, Beowulf contains many old Anglo-Saxon pagan doctrines. ... In conclusion, Beowulf displays both Christian and pagan values in his words and actions. Beowulf shows his pagan beliefs in his action against his foes. ... Beowulf is an example of the thesis when the heathen pagan beliefs converge with Christian views....

• Word Count: 425
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

We may never know whether Beowulf was initially pagan or Christian. ... The monster in this story also has pagan characteristics. ... There is much emphasis on the Christian elements in Beowulf. ... Beowulf's strength seems to be a gift from God. ... In his battle with Beowulf, there is the need of a Savior. ...

• Word Count: 672
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

In this recognized epic, Beowulf, is abound in supernatural elements of pagan associations; however, the poem is the opposite of pagan barbarism. The presentation of the story telling moves fluidly within Christian surroundings as well as pagan ideals. Beowulf was a recited pagan folklore where the people of that time period believed in gods, goddesses, and monsters. ... Beowulf is a Christian reworking of a pagan poem with "a string of pagan lays edited by monks; it is the work of a learned but inaccurate Christian antiquarian" (Clark, 112). ... The epic of Beowulf is wrapped in a histor...

• Word Count: 1694
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Although many of the concepts in Beowulf reflect attitudes of pagan Anglo-Saxon times, still contains many newly introduced Christian themes; themes that occasionally clash with older values (Irving 21). ... Augustine were key in turning people away from pagan attitudes, including earthly arrogance and desire for wealth. Although some aspects of pagan attitudes still lurk within Beowulf, its Christian values are clear. ... In the author's attempt to Christianize Beowulf, there are undoubtedly some remains of the pagan ideology from which the poem emerged. ... Beowulf is in fact an Anglo-S...

• Word Count: 1264
• Approx Pages: 5

That Christianity and Paganism are so closely intertwined in the poem shows that Beowulf has both Christian and pagan influences. The pagan elements in the epic poem Beowulf are evident in the characters superhuman personifications. ... These battles are examples of epic folklore during pagan times. ... In conclusion, the author of Beowulf was very effective in combining pagan and Christian ideas in his poem. ... In mixing Christian and pagan ideas, the poet of Beowulf was able to emphasize the morals of his time and to enhance his characters with Christian values and pagan legends. ...

• Word Count: 2575
• Approx Pages: 10
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Due to the closeness of these two values, Beowulf is a novel with both the pagan and Christian traditions. ... When facing Grendel's mother, the pagan attributes of super-heroism and magic were eminent. ... Beowulf is no ordinary man, yet a man of superhero proportions and a man manifested by a pagan influence upon the culture of the time. ... Beowulf is God's gift to humanity, as Christ was. ... Beowulf is shrouded in a history of pagan belief within Christian atmosphere. ...

• Word Count: 564
• Approx Pages: 2

Beowulf: Christian vs. Pagan The epic poem Beowulf tells the story of a warrior who throughout his life overcomes evils. ... Beowulf seems afraid of defeat and faliure. ... On the other hand, there are rudiments of Anglo Saxon philosophy, pagan on account of its elements of fate. ... Beowulf struggles with Grendel's mother. ...

• Word Count: 719
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Unferth tries to ruin Beowulf's glory by telling everyone Beowulf lost a swimming match against Breca. ... The characters of Beowulf follow the Pagan religion. Their Pagan beliefs are shown by the way they praise with rewards of gold and other material things of value. ... This act was a Pagan tradition. ... Pagans value gold to show praise and Christians do not. ...

• Word Count: 2142
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School

It was originally only a pagan epic that got exaggerated and the story grew grander as time passed. ... He uses the singular noun there indicating he is not pagan. ... Throughout the rest of Beowulf we see more Christian references. ... The Christians also changed Beowulf's death passage. ... Heaven is pinnacle for Christians just as home is pinnacle for pagans. ...

• Word Count: 578
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

Beowulf Beowulf is an electrifying tale, filled with the travels of warriors, and kings; demons and dragons. ... When Beowulf was a young man, he was fearless. ... Beowulf was just that. ... As the tale unravels, there is conflict between Pagan and Christian ideologies. ... "The old stone gods,"" would be a practice of the Pagan religion. ...

• Word Count: 680
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

BEOWULF: JESUS! ... an essay PAGANISM (Pa"gan*ism): The state of being pagan; pagan characteristics; esp., the worship of idols or false gods, or the system of religious opinions and worship maintained by pagans; heathenism. ... The most obvious of pagan influences of the poem are derived from Beowulf's paranormal strength and god-like demeanor. ... Also included in his last wishes are to be cremated, yet another pagan ritual. ... In conclusion, while it is not clear whether or not Beowulf is a strictly pagan or strictly Christian poem, it is undeniably a representation of the times...

• Word Count: 685
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

The influences of Religion and God are apparent in the poem Beowulf. Both Christianity and Pagan beliefs are found throughout the story of Beowulf. ... When the Geats arrive in Denmark, "they thanked God that the sea voyage had been easy for them," (pg 5) but later, Beowulf's want for material rewards, and fame are connected with the Pagan nonreligious ways. ... (pg7) After Beowulf defeats Grendel, Hrothgar tells him "now I will love thee in my heart as my son, Beowulf, best of men; keep well the new kinship." ... (pg 28) All throughout the poem, Christianity is seen in the Geats...

• Word Count: 489
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

Beowulf's epic is the story of a great Pagan warrior who is known for his strength, courage and dignity but unlike Gilgamesh and Sir Gawain, Beowulf does not start off well known. ... Grendle, the pagan monster who lives in the swamplands, is terrorizing the Danes every night, killing them and easily defeating their efforts to fight back. ... At this point Beowulf's hubris sets in and his downfall begins. ... This describes how grateful the Danes are when Beowulf ends their suffering by killing Grendle. After Beowulf defeats Grendle he rips off his arm and presents it in mead-hall w...

• Word Count: 237
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

Beowulf, a pagan epic from the Germanic period, relates closely with the values honored by warriors of that time. ... Besides wisdom, a strong degree of courage also perpetuates through Beowulf's character. ... Hrothgar warns Beowulf of the seductive dangers of success after Beowulf comes back from the battle against Grendel's mother: O flower of warriors, beware of that trap. Choose, dear Beowulf, the better part, eternal rewards. ... Beowulf must prepare for not just a "jabbing blade or javelin,"" but also for "repellent age."" ...

• Word Count: 847
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

The Never Ending Saga The Pagan's epic poem Beowulf is a heroic saga about the young prince, Beowulf, who goes overseas to fight the kinsmen's of Satan, which in the story is referred to as the descendents of Cain. ... This is very odd because of the fact that pagans did not believe in the Christian culture. ... There are many references and images of good and evil that are trough out this story that was intended for a pagan culture. ... In the beginning, it was originally an oral piece of literature from the Pagans. ... It changed the original meaning that the pagans in...

• Word Count: 1092
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

The government before Beowulf's time was based on pagan beliefs. Beowulf's ancestor was Shield who formulated his government under pagan religion. The idea that the government was formed on pagan belief is backed by their rituals. When Shield died, the burial ceremony was a pagan ritual. ... (ll. 34-43) The quote from Beowulf shows how the people of his kingdom were pagan believers. ...

• Word Count: 716
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School