Examples Of Paganism In Beowulf

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Morris Edwards Jr.
Ms. Morris
English 12- 6th Period
4 December 2017
Religion in Beowulf
Religion in the narrative poem Beowulf has of both Christianity and Paganism. The story is about a character who has supernatural powers and goes on a guest. Which comes with many trials and tribulations so religion is needed. It was written in the era of anglo-saxons which they had two religions.The Christianity based story used several references to supernatural forces so it is the religion is between the two. Religion in Beowulf varies between Paganism, Christianity, and a blend of the two.
Paganism is one of the two religions that is shown in the story. Paganism is the religion Anglo-Saxons first go to before Christianity. Raffel says, “his soul left his flesh, flew to glory”which was stated in the text(Wilson 32). Raffel explains as Beowulf dies that his name went up in glory as it left from his body. The Character wanted to be buried in a Paganism way. The author states, “The funeral flames have burned me”(Cain 225). This is the earthly way of dying in the Paganism way. In Paganism religion usually contained earthly or glorious things such as one dying with mother nature. Paganism is also a Pre Christian belief so it may used Christian based beliefs. Christianity is also one of the religions in this story. …show more content…

Christianity is used in the text of Beowulf in a broad amount of ways. Raffel states, “Help our glorious king! By almighty God”(Raffel 65). The soldiers cry for help from God to help their king. Beowulf's men wanted to ask God for their Kings life which was in danger. Online from AVL, “Beowulf is Pre Christian era written down by an anonymous Christian in alternative Old English verse”(Clark 25). This short story was written in the era of the wave of Christianity. Also Christians could have added some of their ways into the story. Their really is a blend of the two in the

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