... example, in the epic "Beowulf", Christianity is seen in the theme of good vs. evil. Beowulf, the good heroic figure battles three evil monsters, Grendel, the troll wife, and the dragon. Grendel, the monster, can also be a symbol of Christianity. He is said to be a descendent of Cain, a biblical figure, signifying fall from virtue. Beowulf himself can be seen as a Christ ... characteristic of this era is pagan beliefs. In "Beowulf", pagan elements can be seen in the three mythical creatures. Grendel and the troll-wife both exhibit superhuman powers. Also, the dragon is a common mythical ...

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• Grade Level: High School

... the poem. The first is Beowulf's battle with Grendel, next is Beowulf descending into the mere, and last is Beowulf's mortal battle with the dragon. In the final salvation story Beowulf gives up his life for his people; just as Christ gave up his life for humanity. The critics, who ... oppose this supposed belief, think "that if killing the dragon symbolizes evil, or Satan, to the allegorists, then Beowulf's death indicates that evil, or Satan, is victorious because Beowulf dies" (Cliffs Notes 55). ... states,"I return now to the matter of the hero's state of mind and spirit in his la...

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... Wiglaf, one of Beowulf's soldiers and friends, shows great loyalty towards Beowulf when he is the only one that stays during the time Beowulf fights the last dragon. Wiglaf also tries to give a speech to Beowulf's men to try to support him. " All of us swore to repay him, / kindness for kindness/ ... with our lives- (766-767). This action sums it up; Wiglaf has shown his loyalty towards Beowulf. Loyalty also shows when Beowulf dies by the last dragon and Wiglaf follows his request, which is to build a light tower for the sailors so they can find there way. " Have/The brave Geats build me...

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... battles in heaven that the Bible vividly describes. The Bible describes the battle in heaven as follows: "7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angles fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angles, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven." (Revelation 12:7-8). The great battle between Michael and the ... dragon (devil) almost tells the same story of the battle between Wyrm and Mundo Cani. "The Eye had almost begun to turn. But Mundo Cani had aimed himself well, had mad ... to the butt through the white flesh. How Wyrm raged then...

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• Grade Level: High School

... Hygelac gives Beowulf large tracts of land and an elaborate sword. After many years the Hygelac dies and Beowulf becomes king. Soon after a dragon awakes and reeks havoc on the land of Geats. It is said that the dragon's layer holds large amounts of riches. Beowulf takes a group of warriors to the layer. With the help of Wiglaf, who is the bravest ... , and who didn't flee with the rest of the warriors when they caught site of the dragon, helps Beowulf defeat the beast. In the battle with the ... dragon Beowulf is mortally wounded. The men cremate him and the bury him under a huge mound...

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• Grade Level: High School

... , Alfred the Great, led Anglo-Saxons against the invading Danes that England became in a true sense a nation. Danes were fierce Viking peoples who crossed the cold North Sea in their dragon-powered boats in the 8th and 9th centuries. They were destroying everything in their paths and eventually took over and settled in parts of northeast and central England. 4. Even King ... , the Norse god of thunder and lightning, sign was the hammer and possibly the twisted cross called the swastika, found on many anglo. gravestones. 3. The dragon is another significant figure, the protector of a trea...

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• Grade Level: High School

... is his destiny to win, not because of any free will. People of Beowulf's time believed a man couldn't avoid death, but had to embrace it. For Example, Beowulf confronts the dragon because he feels the pull of fate and accepts that this was his time to die, he would. However, if he was fated to live then he would only triumph ... . This is shown by the text in lines 1580-1583: "The eminent Prince was doomed to reach his days on earth, his life in this world. So too was the dragon, though he had guarded the hoard for generations," and also in lines 1717-1721: "fate hovered over him, so soo...

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• Grade Level: High School

... that Christianity was better, and he did this by making the evil characters of the story represent ideals pagans liked and Christians hated. The same thing was done to the dragon, the final bad character. Christians believe pride is narcissism, and that narcissism is evil. Pagans had no problem with pride; they valued it, which is why it was a big deal ... ...

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... coming to kill them. Beowulf on the other hand was courageous as well by fighting unmatched opponents and overcoming unfathomable odds. In his battle against Grendel, Grendel's Mother, and the dragon his power is unmatched. "...Grendel saw that his strength was deserting him, his clows bound fast, Higlac's brave follower tearing at his hands. The monster's hatred rose higher, but his ... ...

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• Grade Level: High School

... exercises known as qigong that later became another part of Taoist mythology. During the Chou Dynasty around 700 B.C., one of China's greatest philosophers roamed the earth with the presence of a dragon. His name was Li Erh, commonly known as Lao Tzu. Lao Tzu was a royal librarian. After years of study he became enlightened and decided to retreat from society, traveling far ... ...

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• Grade Level: High School

... majority of the story. At the time of his death his fears over take him and he reverts to the old Anglo-Saxon pagan beliefs. When Wiglaf brings Beowulf the dragon's treasure Beowulf thanks God in Heaven. Yet, his view of the material wealth of the treasure does not express Christianity. Once again the pagan beliefs emerge to be the stronger ... ...

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• Grade Level: High School

... poet also mentions Grendel being the guardian of sins. The existence of Satan is also implied several times when it says, " pressing the Foe (L. 1189)." The other evil character, the dragon, is seen as a symbol of the power of Satan. In his battle with Beowulf, there is the need of a Savior. Beowulf then sacrifices his life for the people of his ... ...

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• Grade Level: High School

... way for him to die than to die with honor fighting. Every time he fought he was seeking glory and honor like he said before his last fight with the dragon: " I risked my life often when I was young. Now I am old, but as a king I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning, if the evil one will only abandon his ... ...

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... that Christ is. Finally, both heroes will face evil in a final confrontation and will face evil's incarnation. Beowulf makes the ultimate heroic sacrifice in giving his life to slay the dragon and save his people; this, of course, alludes to Christ's crucifixion for mankind's redemption. The Beowulf poet was able to create an interesting story for the people of his times ... ...

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• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... for paganism, throughout the story, it was viewed in certain areas. Paganism was represented through the sin, and evilness, in the story brought upon by Grendel, his other and the dragon. (P.42 Line 66-69; Grendel began with offering no peace). They all represented the black shadow characters. Other forms of evil looked up to these figures and believed in what ... ...

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... king, he seems to lean towards a Christian credo, as when he thanks the "everlasting Lord of all/ to the King of Glory" (2794-2795) for letting him view the slain Dragon's treasure before he dies. Nevertheless, the aged Beowulf reverts to a pre-Christian mindset when he proclaims "what occurs on the wall/ between the two of us will turn out as ... ...

• Word Count: 913
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School