Paganism vs. Christianity in Beowulf
Thesis Statement: “Beowulf” was written by either a Christian author or a pagan author because of the presence of several ideas involving both pagan and Christian ideologies found close together throughout the poem. Based on the elements presented in the poem, it is apparent that there are evidences that will identify the characteristics of Christianity. On the other hand, the belief of paganism was also included in the lines of the poem.
There is a presumption that poem “Beowulf” is influenced by a Christian author shown by the Anglo-Saxon understanding of the concept of beauty, which begins with the story of Creation in Genesis Chapter 1 of the Bible, where God created the world in seven (7) days. The language or the text used in the poem presented the concept of “scop”, which originated from the Old English language which means to shape. God is being referred to as the Great Shaper and all the beauty seen by the Anglo-Saxon were fruits of God’s creation. The term “scop” can also represent a poet. In this poem, the Anglo-Saxons considered the fact that the author made use of beautiful words and imagery to create a poem is comparable to God’s work when he created earth. This can be read in the lines “The clear song of a skilled poet, telling with mastery man’s beginnings, how the Almighty had made the earth” (Beowulf 86-98). Another proof that the author is a Christian is when there was mention of the story of the two brothers Cain and Abel. This can be substantiated in the lines “Cain's clan, whom the creator had outlawed and condemned as outcasts. For the killing of Abel, the Eternal Lord had exacted a price” (Beowulf 86-98). The presence of the word God is evident in several occasions in the poem such as “Afterwards a boy-child was sent to Shield, a cub in the yard, a comfort sent by God to that nation “(Beowulf 12).
Some view Beowulf as a work of a pagan because of the presence of the word of “wyrd” or fate, which has the literal meaning of that which will be. The Beowulf author identifies wyrd as the ultimate cause of the outcome of events. The word “wyrd” can also be connected to pagan fatalism. However the term “wyrd” that was used in Beowulf is viewed differently with the belief that it will still be the sovereignty that determines the future. This is present in line 455 of the poem which states that “fate goes ever as fate must”. However, towards the end of the poem, it can be concluded that there is greater evidence that will justify that the author is a Christian based on lines 700 to 702 of the poem which provide “the truth is clear, Almighty God rules mankind and has always has”. This means that is still God that has destined the victory of Beowulf who is also portrayed as a Christian hero. This can be seen in the line “God must decide who will be given to death’s cold grip” (Beowulf 174-175). He believed in his heart that God has already planned his destiny to emerge victorious in the battle with Grendel. He adopts the principles of justice and equality when he waged the war with Grendel as manifested by his intention of give up his weapons so they will fight justly. This was presented when he said “Is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none. Nor will I” (Beowulf 168).
Therefore, after presenting all the valuable elements presented in the poem, it can be concluded that the poem “Beowulf” was written by a Christian author, rather than a pagan author. There are several quotes that will justify the fact that it was written by a Christian author since it carries stories from the Bible. The main character of Beowulf epitomizes a Christ who became a Savior, willing to sacrifice his life to fulfill God’s majestic plan for him.
Works Cited:
Heaney, Seamus. Beowulf. USA: W.W. Norton Company, 2001. Print.