Christianity In Beowulf

J. R. R. Tolkien, renowned author of the Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series, presented his view on the Pagan and Christian elements found in early medieval societies, as shown in the poem Beowulf. Tolkien explained that the poem shows “the nearness of a pagan time,” and with it “the shadow of its despair, as an intense emotion of regret” is conveyed throughout the poem (Tolkien). The time period in which the poem was set was ridden with hardships unlike any ever seen, which are represented in Beowulf. In the same somber tone, many of the characters show arguments “concerned primarily with man on earth, rehandling in a new perspective an ancient theme: that man, each man and all men, and all their works shall die” (Tolkien). This was and still is a very common Christian perspective, and in the poem, it serves to show the influence that newly-popularized Christianity had on that society. Beowulf takes place in 6th century Scandinavia, in a time where “the history of kings and warriors in the old traditions” had great worth and great influence on the culture, civilization, and beliefs of the people (Tolkien). Furthermore, as Christianity was merging with Scandinavian and pagan belief systems, the “strong sense of tradition” held by “dynasties, noble houses, and their code of honour” was changing as “northern past

Regarding the direct influence of Christianity on the poem, Tolkien noted that “the passages in Beowulf concerning the giants and their war with God, together with the two mentions of Cain...are directly connected with Scripture, yet they cannot be dissociated from the creatures of northern myth, the ever-watchful foes of the gods (and men)” (Tolkien). The poet behind Beowulf was likely exploring the new elements of scripture and their reaction with the design of paganism in the old