Beowulf dates back to around the eighth century, during which Christianity was not a prevalent religion. As Magill states, whether the Christian elements are intrinsic or are interpolations by a tenth century monastic scribe is controversial. However, it remains obvious that the poem along with the society is full of Christian sentiments.
The reader does not have to read far before he comes across the first reference made to God. It is in the prologue in which the story of Shild and the beginnings of Beo are presented. “Now the Lord of all life, Ruler of Glory blessed them with a prince…” (23, ll. 16-17). As the narrative continues it relays information of Shild becoming old and “When his time was come the old king died, still strong but called to the Lord’s hands” (24, ll. 26-27). In this
The belief that it is God who grants permission for an action to take place is evident in Beowulf. Fate too is controlled by God, but also can be affected by a person’s actions. In the case of Grendel it is God’s will along with the hero’s courage which turns fate aside, because otherwise the monster would have continued to murder. The thought extends to include that “Men must lie in their Maker’s holy hands, moved only as he wills…” (56, ll. 1055-1059). Beowulf’s victory over Grendel’s mother is also primarily associated with Holy God along with the protective metal (71, ll. 1554-1555).
Although religion is by no means an overriding theme in Beowulf its aspects are recurrent and difficult to ignore. The epic depicts the accomplished men as having good, religious morals and practici
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