Christian and Pagan Virtues Displayed in Beowulf

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Many times in literature authors blend two dissimilar traditions and virtues in order to make up a persons true identity. In the epic poem Beowulf, the Christian allegory is woven with a pagan fable in order to truly represent the characters. The Christian and pagan virtues are successfully synchronized and amalgamate the story as a whole which is displayed by the two main characters, Beowulf and Grendel, through their personal traits.

Many Christian elements and values create the disposition of Beowulf. The author of Beowulf creates a character who seen as a Christ- like figure in that he possesses the Christian value of self-sacrifice and assists in the fight against evil. Beowulf is willing to die and defend his people, in this case the Danes, against the evil in which they are faced with. In doing this he uses the guidance and help from God. Beowulf continually refers to God’s will, support, and fate before and after his battles. The audience sees how Beowulf talks about fate and God’s will, determining who will come out with the victory in the fight before every fight. There are Biblical references that sustain the fact that Christian values contribute to define who the heroic warrior truly is. He was called as the chosen one to help defend and protect the people just like Jesus Christ was:

Beowulf,

A prince of the Geats, had killed Grendel,

Ended the grief, the sorrow, the suffering

Forced on Hrothgar’s helpless people

By a bloodthirsty fiend (120-124).

Beowulf’s benevolence, generosity, and charity in this situation make him the epitome of Christ. Both Beowulf and Christ set out on an undertaking to help save other people from evil. Beowulf understands the responsibility he takes on in response to the plight of ...

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...nstills, he also carries out many pagan virtues. Grendel is seen as the epitome of a superhuman monster and is described as a “powerful monster” (1), whom austerely relies on his extraordinary strength to annihilate his enemies. The battles in which Grendel contests are all instances of epic folklore during pagan times.

It is now evident that in the poem Beowulf both Christian and Pagan virtues were successfully incorporated together by contriving the dispositions of the two main characters, Beowulf and Grendel. Additionally, the synchronizing of the two different traditions amalgamates the story as a whole. Furthermore, the epic poem truly unifies a Christian allegory with a pagan fable in order to define a true character. In conclusion, many authors in literature choose to blend two dissimilar traditions and virtues in order to make up a persons true identity.

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