Essay On Paganism In Beowulf

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The Anglo-Saxon poem starts off with “A powerful monster, living down in the darkness, growled in pain, impatient”(1-2). This quote gives the reader an idea of what they would be reading about, throughout Beowulf we figure out that it is made out of different elements. The elements that stand out the most is would be Christianity and Paganism. The definition of Christianity is the religion based on the person and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, or its beliefs and practices. The definition of paganism would be one who has little or no religion and who delights in sensual pleasures and material goods. People believe that the story is mostly pagan due to Beowulf’s boasting, believing in fate, and the royalty. However, this poem is mostly christian …show more content…

There is a disagreement whether it should be characterized as pagan or not. For example, “Hail Hrothgar! Higlac is my cousin and my king”(236-237), within this quote we see how they praise Hrothgar for his throne. “My lord Higlac” (264), here we see how they express Higlac as his lord. Paganism is known for not believing in God as their lord, they replace him with their kings or queens. This quote was a perfect example towards this, in the Christian religion they refer Jesus Christ as their lord. We grow up with this idea on our heads that he is our lord a savior, however paganism contradicts that idea. Within this poem we have viewed two different elements, Christianity and Paganism. Christianity seems to take up most of the poem from beginning to end. This seems to be a debateable topic towards people, whether it is identified as pagan or christian. However, we see Beowulf and the Geats leaving their destiny in God’s hands such as seeing who will end up dying . They want God to protect them in the hard times, not only to protect them but protect the royalty thrones as well. They believe on God for many thing and they trust in him, just as the Christian

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