Author Presents Biblical Allusions example essay topic

Throughout the Middle Ages, the idea of Christianity has been portrayed in many literary instances. Beowulf, the epic poem, presents Christian elements. The author presents a sense of Christianity through Biblical allusions, moral themes, and evil representations. Through studying this narrative poem, one finds examples of this dominant religion. Over the course of this epic, the author presents Biblical allusions.

He explains that God is the creator of earth and man. Life is a gift from God, and He loans every human body. Proceeding to prove this point, he describes that all earthly good, be it success or wealth, derives from God (Beowulf, Google, 29). Hrothgar and his court are a community that accepts God as the creator and benefactor. In other words, they are essentially Christian (Emerson 68). Along with Hrothgar, Beowulf is dependent on God for all that he is and all that he does (McNamee 117).

Trapped in a precarious situation with Grendel's mother, the king sees a sword that he is able to use. Beowulf then gives credit to the all-mighty creator: "But the wielder of men granted me that I should see hanging on the wall a fair, ancient great-sword" (Beowulf 56). Continuing to show Biblical allusions, the poet explains that God protects all men. If a warrior is true to his values-courage, honesty, and pride-then he will receive protection from God (Beowulf, Google, 29). Christ is a spiritual and eternal redeemer because he offers eternal, rather than temporary victory over evil (Beowulf, Google, 18).

Beowulf's fight with the dragon is a realization of the story of salvation where Beowulf, like Christ, gives life for his people (Beowulf, Yahoo). Continuing through the epic, the author repeatedly presents Biblical allusions. Likewise, the author portrays Christianity by presenting moral themes. It is obvious that this author is a devout Christian (Malone 93). This fact is apparent in the quality of his writing: "The author is clearly familiar with the traditional Christian terminology in question and evinces some knowledge of the Bible, liturgy, and ecclesiastical literature". God's governance of the world and of every human being, the evil of sin, the doings of the devil, the last judgment, and heaven and hell are referred to as familiar topics (Klaeber 69).

Departing from the practice usual in heroic story, our author goes his own way, the way of a Christian moralist, when describing the hero's exploits in battle (Malone 93). The poet is careful to avoid anything incompatible with the Christian faith and morals (Chambers 74). In fact, the whole life feels as if it is dominated by Christian ideas. The virtues of moderation, unselfishness, and consideration for others are practiced and appreciated (Klaeber 69).

The hero survives through the use of honor (Malone 93). The general impression we obtain from the reading of the poem is certainly the opposite of pagan barbarism (Klaeber 69). All over the epic, there are examples of moral themes. Also, the author portrays Christianity by introducing evil representations. In Beowulf, many of the monsters are replicates of the devil. In the Bible, envy of the creator was joined with pride in his own powers to cause the fall of Lucifer.

Much like the devil, Grendel is inspired to kill the Danes by envy of their happiness, rather than by hunger for human flesh. His envy of the Danes is due to his belonging to the race of Satan's descendents. Envy is recognized as a characteristic of the devil: "It was then, as our poet conceives, because Grendel was of devilish origin that he was prompted, by envy of the Danes in their happiness and innocent pleasures, to make his earliest attack and to become their persistent enemy until the hero Beowulf comes to the rescue" (Emerson 68). Furthermore, Grendel lives in the underworld like Satan lives in Hell. The dragon represents malice, greed, and destruction -- symbols of the power of Satan (Beowulf, Yahoo, 18).

In addition, the author presents many symbols of hell. They lake that the monsters live in is hot and red. This can be linked to Hell because it is an underground world in which fire burns. In this lake, there are many serpents as well as other monstrous creatures.

The add evil to the lake because serpents in Christianity are symbols of evil as in the Biblical story of Adam and Eve (Beowulf 45). Christianity influences the whole dark side of the epic. All through this memorable epic, there are numerous examples of Christian culture. The author addresses the Bible as well as the common lives of the characters. Portraying the other side of Christianity, he also shows representations of evil. There is no doubt that this poem is meant to be one which represents the broad culture of Christianity.

(792).