Very Christian Idea And Beowulf example essay topic

"How Christian is the poem?" asks Howell Checkering in his analysis of Beowulf. While the author of the poem was most certainly a pagan, as were most Anglo-Saxons at the time the poem was written, the recorder of the poem, a monk who had most likely heard the poem while converting the pagans to Christianity, included many of his own religious beliefs. There are many pagan rituals and beliefs represented in Beowulf, but the overall tone of the poem is very Christian. Christian nature is shown in the battle between Beowulf and Grendel, the constant failure of the pagan people, and the poem's fixation on fate. The battle between Beowulf and Grendel is overtly Christian. Grendel "bore the curse of the seed of Cain" (65), the first murderer according to the Bible.

Cain's sin of murder is all the more grievous in the setting of Beowulf, as the murder he committed was that of his brother. The Anglo-Saxons held lineage in the highest regard, and to kill one's own family would be an evil like no other. The evil of Cain's deed is reflected on to Grendel, as he is part of Cain's line, and therefore would be given the same traits in the Anglo-Saxon tradition of family. Since Grendel is the descendant of sin and evil, he himself is seen to be a sinner. Christianity is based on the resistance of sin, so Beowulf's fight against a sinner takes on a crusade-like value. If one looks at Beowulf as a Christian, it becomes apparent that the values given to him by the author of the poem takes on a very Christian overtone.

In his fight against Grendel, Beowulf uses no weapons, because Grendel has none. "I scorn to slay him with sword, deal deadly wound as I well might do!" (509//510). This may be perceived as Beowulf being fair, a heroic ideal, but it could also be said that he was being just in his dealings with the monster. Justness is an ideal extolled in Christianity, and was even possessed by Christ himself.

Thus, Beowulf takes on an immortal quality. He is described as "the man who was the greatest of mortal men in the strength of his might" (609//610), which may be seen as the Christian recorder of this poems' way of showing the power of good over evil, and Christians over sinners. Before Beowulf comes to the aid of Hrothgar and his men, the Danes try to rid themselves of Grendel. The Danes "could hope for no halting of the savage assault" (119). The only person able to slay the beast proves to be Beowulf. This situation shows the ineffectiveness of the pagan Danes compared to the immediate success of Beowulf, the Christian representative.

Unferth, one of Hrothgar's men, taunts Beowulf in a drunken argument. During the discussion, it becomes apparent that Unferth is merely envious of Beowulf's abilities because he himself could not protect his own kingdom. Unferth is not only a representative of the pagan culture but he is a sinner in the eyes of the Christian religion because of his envy. When Beowulf goes to fight Grendel's mother, Unferth realizes his mistake in criticizing Beowulf.

He loans Beowulf his sword, but "the sword edge failed at his sorest need" (1018). The sword represents another failure by the pagans compared to a success by Beowulf. During Beowulf's fight with the dragon, "no sons of warriors aided him... They fled to the forest" (1555//1557). The cowardice of the pagan warriors shows the writer / recorder of story's contempt for the pagans.

To leave one's leader is to be shamed forever in Anglo-Saxon culture. This violation of the heroic code provides a foil for Beowulf's bravery and further exemplifies him as a representative of Christianity. Fate, the idea that one's future is predestined, is a philosophy of Christianity. Pagan cultures believed that one's actions caused one's future.

The constant references to fate in the poem show it's obvious Christian slant. "Fate goes as fate must" (352)! Exclaims Beowulf, when discussing with Hrothgar the fact that he may die in his battle with Grendel. The thought that something other than one's own abilities may be responsible for the length of one's life is not an idea that would have been held by a pagan.

Beowulf's acknowledgement of an outside force on his life shows the Christian influence very well. During his fight with Grendel's mother, Beowulf is referred to as "the fated warrior" (1021). This description shows that the idea of fate comes not only as part of Beowulf's beliefs, but as part of the beliefs of the narrator. This allows the idea of fate to develop the plot along with the characters themselves. As Beowulf dies, he relates the end of his family to Wig laf. "All my kinsman//fate has sent to their final doom//and I must follow" (1719-1721).

This statement shows directly the way that fate influences the theme of all things coming to an end. Beowulf knows that he is fated to die, and the fact that he recognizes this helps to develop his Christianity and the overall Christian theme of the poem. The very prominent Christian ideals shown throughout the poem serve to provide more depth, as they develop character more than would have been possible had the poem contained only pagan morals. The development of the heroic code is greatly increased by the Christianity of the poem, as it shows Beowulf to be an even greater hero compared to the pagans.

Christian themes provide more depth to Beowulf's battles with the monsters, as they are shown to be battles between the ultimate good and evil, God against Satan's spawn. Had Beowulf been without Christian influence, his battles would have been merely battles. The emphasis on fate contributes to the theme of all things rising and falling. The idea that all things are predestined to end eventually is a very Christian idea and Beowulf could not have been fully developed without it.