... who first wrote it down, so we will refer to "the poet of Beowulf" and not any person in particular. The poet has transformed a traditional Germanic epic into a Christian epic poem. There is a balanced mix of old pagan elements alongside Christian ideals. Within the prologue of Beowulf we are given numerous Christian ideals. The poet subtlety compares Beow, son of Shield, with Jesus Christ when he speaks of ... crucifixes, a powerful reference. So between Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight we have two subtle comparisons of characters to Christ. Beowulf, the sole known survivor ...

• Word Count: 2583
• Approx Pages: 10
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... you have the items without the people, that's where the dragon comes in. The dragon is the antithesis of civilization because he hoards the items that he cannot even use. Beowulf goes into the fight with the dragon with great faith in civilization. He has armor, he has weaponry, he even has his fighters backing him. He tells his men: ... I would ... ). The holly bob he wore into Arthur's court also served as doubly symbolic of nature and spirituality, as a living thing and a Christian symbol. According to Kieckhefer, both pagan Irish legends and the saintly legends that followed them sho...

• Word Count: 3062
• Approx Pages: 12
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... defined as a person who is strong and courageous whereas six centuries later, a hero named Sir Gawain, is measured against a moral and Christian ideal of chivalry. While these heroes share some common characteristics, they differ in their encounters with women, the role that god plays in their quests, and their motives which drive them to fight. There are some elements of heroism that are thought of ... as the universal characteristics of a hero and no matter what culture a hero emerges from ... he asks that this melee may be his. There is a difference in these two heroes that is shown...

• Word Count: 1559
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... 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 creature in pagan tales. Beowulf also has superhuman personification. His superhuman strength is used to defeat Grendel and Grendels mother. "The Knights ... that Christians must overcome. The Fair sold things based solely on vanity such as titles, kingdoms, and pleasures. Christian the main character is asked why he is at the fair and he answers honestly that he is going to...

• Word Count: 2920
• Approx Pages: 12
• Grade Level: High School

... you have the items without the people, that's where the dragon comes in. The dragon is the antithesis of civilization because he hoards the items that he cannot even use. Beowulf goes into the fight with the dragon with great faith in civilization. He has armor, he has weaponry, he even has his fighters backing him. He tells his men: ... I would ... ). The holly bob he wore into Arthur's court also served as doubly symbolic of nature and spirituality, as a living thing and a Christian symbol. According to Kieckhefer, both pagan Irish legends and the saintly legends that followed them sho...

• Word Count: 3189
• Approx Pages: 13
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School