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History of halloween informative essay
History of halloween informative essay
History of halloween informative essay
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In physical works of Germanic mythology, the gods showed values of human qualities, and they valued inventiveness. While giants and dwarfs were the lower classes of society, gods being the upper class of the world. Giants and dwarfs were equal, but both very different. Giants are easily tempered, while Dwarfs usually keep to themselves. The dwarfs usually don’t get tempered, unless messed with in some way or not treated equally. It is even believed that four dwarfs and a skull of a giant make up the sky, showing complete equality between the two creatures. This also symbolizes the directions of the world, which is North, South, West, and East (which were the meanings of the four names of the dwarfs). These dwarfs symbolize the directions we …show more content…
They also were believed to be historical people who became blinded by fame, therefore becoming demonized; they showed the common theme of humans which was Greed and Gluttony. But Pagan gods even were looked upon for the seasons. Not all of these seasons are put to one specific god, but to several. In Lughnasadh, there are several gods who represent the harvest, and not all the seasons could be represented to one god; there are specific gods for specific seasons, such as the god Yule, the goddess Ostara (or Eostre), and the god and goddess Beltane. As you might conclude, Yule is somewhat viewed as Santa Claus, but he surely is not. Though he’s represented with a white beard and a chunky face (like Santa Claus), but his beard is filled with leaves, berries, and pine cones. Yule is the face of winter and the holidays. While Ostara (or Eostre) is the face of what we view as Easter, and in many pictures, she is represented as a bunny or even goddess of the bunnies. She represents the beginning of spring, while Beltane represents the end part of spring. Beltane is usually celebrated with the Union between a man and a woman. The myths of Beltane state that the young God has grown into manhood, and the Goddess takes him on as her husband; this season being celebrated as young love and fertility of nature. All of the seasons are celebrated for their distinctiveness and symbolism, which is held as …show more content…
There are not much sources left, and most sources may not even be considered true Germanic mythology. But, one thing very clear about Germanic mythology is its influence. Paganism and Wicca are very closely tied, and you can see this in the structure of Germanic mythology. You can see it in little things such as dwarfs and the way they are able to cast spells effortlessly. These little creatures can craft things effortlessly; magic used without a second thought which is something very unique about Germanic mythology. Some myths do not get the pleasure of having spells and other magical abilities. Germanic mythology most likely is viewed as dreams based on its magical influence, and its background. For example, how was the sky made of four dwarfs and a skull of a giant? It’s impossible, and that’s why it’s a myth. But why did they share the sky? The role of both the dwarfs and the giant was to symbolize the directions, but also to symbolize giant and dwarf equality and equality in general. The mystery that Germanic mythology gives you is most likely for a reason. It could be based on how the afterlife was a mystery in their religion, or their myths were people’s actual dreams and fantasies. We honestly will never known exactly why these stories are told the way they are told; we also will never know exactly who told them. We will never be sure if Germanic mythology is truly Germanic, because most of it is infused and shared with
Beowulf is steeped in a pagan tradition that depicts nature as hostile and forces of death as uncontrollable. Blind fate picks random victims; man is never reconciled with the world. Beowulf ends a failure. There is some truth in this conclusion, but for the most part, someone who didn’t have a well-lived life has most likely portrayed it.
In the epic of Beowulf, Herot is plagued by the monster Grendel. A hero, Beowulf is summoned to defeat the beast. Beowulf is a Christian and Pagan based poem that includes several examples of each element. There are several biblical illusions in the text that give insight into the use of Christianity but just the same, there are several references to the Devil and Hell and Cain. Therefore the poem must be both Christian and Pagan because it represents both.
The Old English epic poem Beowulf poses something for an enigma for scholars. The poet was surely a Christian, but the poem depicts a pagan society, so what sort of religion is being expressed. Most recent scholars have argued for a Christian reading, but others still hold out for a pagan one. Some have suggested Christian-pagan syncretism. Pagan beliefs involve sacrifices to the old stone Gods, making heathen vows, hoping for Hell’s support, the devil’s guidance in driving their affliction off. This was their way and the Heathen’s only hope.Some suggest Christian-pagan syncretism. Anglo-Saxon epic heroes are willing to put their own lives in danger for the greater good. Beowulf highlights the code’s points of tension by relating circumstances
Perhaps it is safe to conclude, then, that the Greco-Roman sun gods were, at some point, substantially rooted in Jewish culture. Though scholars may never know, it’s possible this is why Christmas is celebrated on th...
These aspects of their culture have made a significant contribution to their quality of life. Moreover, these topics will be examined in relation to the twelve Olympian gods and their associates. The ancient Greeks practiced a religion that was, in effect, a building block to many ensuing pagan religions. This religion revolved around their reverence for the gods. Essentially, the Greeks worshipped numerous gods, making their religion polytheistic.
As the Pagans of the Anglo-Saxon culture do not believe in the afterlife, they rely on their actual life they live to tell their story. They live to the fullest, while building to a high level of honor and pride among each other. In the poem, the burial of Beowulf is the only real party where we can see these traditions. With his last, dying breaths, Beowulf describes to Wiglaf the manner in which he wishes to be remembered, requesting to, “Have the brave Geats build me a tomb, when the funeral flames have burned me, and build it here, at the water’s edge, high on this spit of land, so sailors can see this tower, and call it Beowulf’s tower…” (812). Tying in again with reputation, Beowulf wishes to be remembered as a guiding light to the Geat people that he became a symbol to, and buried in a way in which he will be remember forever. As he had wished, the loyal soldiers of Beowulf had indeed built the tower, “... working for ten long days they built his monument, sealed his ashes in walls as straight and high as wise and willing hands could raise them” (874). Respecting his wish, a tower was brought up in his honor, to remember as a great warrior, following the long held tradition of mourning the dead that the Anglo-Saxons have long
Beltane is also a celebration of fertility, fruitfulness and the coming of summer. It is a time when the light half of the year is waxing and everything is growing and coming into full greenery and bloom. It is the last of the spring fertility festivals, and is a time when all prepare for the warm months ahead.... ... middle of paper ...
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
Beowulf essay Beowulf, the first epic poem recorded in the English language, is believed to have been told by word of mouth for centuries before finally being written down around 1000 A.D, and the poem is believed to have taken place in modern day Sweden and Denmark. The epic poem Beowulf was originally told and recorded for the same reason all epic poems were born, to display the strength and dominance of a culture, and Beowulf was the Anglo-Saxon’s method of showing their superiority. The epic poem birthed several movies based off of the hero Beowulf. One of those movies is Beowulf and Grendel. Despite Hollywood having access to the epic poem, Beowulf, they still managed to leave out several very important things from the poem in Beowulf and Grendel.
Beowulf was written around 700 A.D. by an unknown author. While it is a part of English Literature, it does not take place in England. Instead, it tells the reader events that happened in Sweden and on the Danish island of Zealand. The pagan and Christian references suggest that the poem is most likely written about the time that the Anglo-Saxon society was converting from paganism to Christianity. Monasteries provided a place for learning and they also saved some of the manuscripts, such as the story Beowulf. Christianity does eventually replace pagan religion as far as Anglo-Saxons are concerned. Although the unknown author of Beowulf develops the main protagonist to represent both paganism and Christianity, the ideals conflict create a unique epic poem.
For many centuries, Literature critics have constantly debated on whether it was more inspired by Pagan or Christian beliefs. These said critics have constantly been trying to differentiate between the symbolism used to describe the Pagan symbols and Christian symbols within the halls of Horathgar and the Castle lived in by the King of the Geats. These symbols can be argued to symbolize Pagan or Christian symbolism due to the fact that they can either describe the beliefs of Pagan or Christians. These include but don’t exclude; the heroic might of an epic hero, being portrayed as a Christian or Pagan hero. Examples of Pagan beliefs will include the following of Wyrd the Pagan belief in fate. Examples of Christianity will be Beowulf’s dislike
The poem Beowulf is a renowned story that displays many different surroundings and religious beliefs. Some may believe the story of Beowulf portrays pagan beliefs or customs and others believe that the poem is more in agreement with Christian ethnicity. The author of Beowulf uses both Christian and pagan elements in the poem to define the heroic warrior, Beowulf, and the evil dragons. After reading Beowulf the author clearly shows how Beowulf is a man who is filled with Christian customs and is willing to die and defend the world against evil using the help of God.
It is tough to understand why a higher power would be trying to manage this adventure in favor of the dwarfs, just for the dwarfs’ advantage. The dwarfs have never seemed like they have done something remarkably wonderful, that they deserve to earn their home back. The dwarfs’ greed brought the doom of their homeland, and it seems that greed and revenge drive Thorin and company to seize it back. None of these acts are immense shows of morality in the dwarfs, yet it seems that a higher power is trying to aid them succeed. This leads the reader to believe that if the dwarfs obtain their home, it might have a lasting impact on what is to come in the future. That the fate of the future rests on the fact of wining the lonely mountain back. Gandalf said that he thought that Smaug need to be dealt with (Tolkien, “The Quest for Erebor”, 322). It seems that Gandalf feels that if the dragon is not dealt with, consequently something terrible could happen in the future. This feeling of Gandalf and luck playing a central role in the adventure, leads the reader to believe that the succeeds of the Bilbo and the Dwarfs will an effect that is further lasting than just the dwarfs gaining back their
Beowulf was written in the time when the society was in the process of converting from Paganism to Christianity. In this epic poem, these two religions come through the actions of its characters. The acceptance of feuds and the courage of war are just a few examples of the Pagan tradition, while the Christian mortalities refrain from the two.
A compelling ending of a literary work does not simply end; it continues evolving in the minds of the readers well past its final pages. In the epic poem Beowulf written by an English monk and translated by Seamus Heaney, the hero Beowulf meets his death as he fights a dragon during the final pages. Previously, Beowulf displays many heroic traits defending King Hrothgar and the Danes against the evil, God-cursed monster, Grendel, and Grendel’s malignant mother. Beowulf returns to his home in Geatland where he rules as king for fifty years. The epic closes with Beowulf defeating the dragon and dying in the process. Beowulf hastily passes on the kingship to Wiglaf before his death since Beowulf has no son who would automatically receive