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Christian Ideology in Beowulf

            Beowulf was a long and Old English literature written by an unknown Christian author who imposed religion on the story. It was based on legend passed down over time. Prior to the time the poem was written, The Scandinavians, German and French experienced a large-scale conversion to Christianity at the end of the sixth century. The original story was largely Scandinavian, even using some of the actual names of Swedish and Danish royal family members. Beowulf is a transitional literature that connects Christianity with the medieval literature and some aspect of British literature in general. Most of the part play in the poem was similar to the word of Christian religious believes. God love was predominantly mentioned which in other word could be seen as a protection or reward for good deed and ideas behaviors by showing the characters of religious figures. The subjective tone used in the poem describes feelings, judgments, or opinions that make the poem particularly and peculiarly religious. Base on the story, the writer of this poem seems religious, and might be trying to bring out some of God's significance.
             Not only that the poem uses various adjective and adverb to inculcate Christianity religion in the writing but also the imagination of Religious beliefs such as God love, kindness and hope in rewards for any consequences with idea of good and bad behaviors. The Dragon Beowulf fought could represent the three headed Dog in Greek mythology that guided the hell. Beowulf also refers to the ideas of love of Neighbor as you love yourself which is a major Simon among the gathering of some Christian religious people. .
             King Hrothgar who sees to the protection of the land could be portraying as Lord. In addition to beginning of the poem, the writer uses an idea about how the God created the earth in a brilliant flat circle with water which is correlated to how God created the earth in the bible, and saw that light was good which represent the gleaming mention in the poem and how he commanded water to gather together to create a dry land which he called earth, all this represent the plain girdled with water mention in Beowulf.


Essays Related to Christian Ideology in Beowulf

1. Beowulf

... . Klaeber in support of Kemble and his expansion upon this statement uses this quote as evidence, "They said that he was of world-kings the mildest of men, gentlest, kindest to his people, and most eager for fame." Klaebers theory along the line of Kimbles, interprets this emphasis, to mean Christian ideology. "Those readers, who are, impressed by Beowulf's martial ... ultimately to Cain but ultimately to the arrogant, rebellious angel of heaven. The Christian faith provided, in Satan, a new ancillary to the basically philosophical Anglo-Saxon mind. Generally speaking, similarities betw...

  • Word Count: 2211
  • Approx Pages: 9
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

2. Beowulf and Christianity

... , including earthly arrogance and desire for wealth. Although some aspects of pagan attitudes still lurk within Beowulf, its Christian values are clear. Most scholars believe that Beowulf was written by a Christian author, who was most likely a monk, which explains the poem's attempts to instill Christian morality in the reader. Everything happens in Beowulf can be credited to the grace of God, whether it is victory ... in battle, or the taking of booty after a victory. For example, after Beowulf and his men finished their journey to Denmark they, "thanked God for that easy crossing on ...

  • Word Count: 1264
  • Approx Pages: 5

3. Beowulf

... more unruly demon, the monster so aptly named "Grendel's mother." During her attack, she was able to kill Esher, King Hrothgar's most trusted advisor. In an attempt to console the king, Beowulf spoke in direct contrast of the Christian ideology of turn the other cheek: "Let your sorrow end! It is better for us all to avenge our friends, not mourn them forever." (67 1384 ... -4) Grendel's mother resides deep inside a swampy labyrinth, and in order to reach her, he had to rely on yet another superhuman ability. He must swim downwards ... seeking of reimbursement for his difficult work alm...

  • Word Count: 685
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

4. Beowulf: Christian vs. Pagan

... Anglo-Saxons" beliefs and customs. The poet shows a strong belief in Divine or supernatural notions. The poem reflects this belief through references to "that Shepherd of Evil" (432) and "[sacrifices] to the old stone gods" (90). These are both conflicting allusions to the two prominent religions of the time. One pertains to Christian ideology; i.e. "The Almighty God" (493), and "the Almighty making the ... aspects the poet actually praises. The epic develops the nature of the universal and reoccurring battle that men fight against evil. The three battles that occur at different stages ...

  • Word Count: 719
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

5. Beowulf And Gawain

... of dispute resolution, such as wergild or arbitration" (78). Yet, in Beowulf, the idea of the feud is somewhat different. Day claims that in Beowulf: (1)Feuds are defined by reciprocity--they describe an ongoing relationship of retaliatory violence between two groups. (2) Feuds define the relationship of the feuding parties as a sort of ideology; all further interchanges between the two groups--political and military--are ... a perfect blending of the natural (green) and supernatural (chapel). The holly bob he wore into Arthur's court also served as doubly symbolic of nature and spiritua...

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

6. A Glance Into Germanic Society

... code avid among the humans, but among the beasts as well. Grendel's mother set out to avenge the death of her son after Beowulf murdered him in the mead-hall. It was believed that the only way to make a lasting reputation was to be famous and glorified, which come ... that the pagan society was built on materialism, rendering the thought of earthly possessions as a staple in living a "happy" afterlife. In contrast, earthly passions had no use in the afterlife in the Christian belief. Hrothgar emphasized to Beowulf that life is not everlasting, that it will come to an end, and he should or...

  • Word Count: 886
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

7. ramen

... of dispute resolution, such as wergild or arbitration" (78). Yet, in Beowulf, the idea of the feud is somewhat different. Day claims that in Beowulf: (1)Feuds are defined by reciprocity--they describe an ongoing relationship of retaliatory violence between two groups. (2) Feuds define the relationship of the feuding parties as a sort of ideology; all further interchanges between the two groups--political and military--are ... a perfect blending of the natural (green) and supernatural (chapel). The holly bob he wore into Arthur's court also served as doubly symbolic of nature and spiritua...

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

8. Midevil

... and war were such big parts of their history. To understand their thoughts on warfare one must understand there views on life. In Beowulf, Burton Raffel portrays many aspects of Anglo-Saxon lifestyle, especially the importance of weaponry, women's role in society, and the significance of Christianity. There was not a single object that mattered to Anglo-Saxons more than their weapons. The Anglo ... endless struggle against foreign enemies and rival kinsmen for authority, power and tribute. Even after Christianity had supplied them with an ideology of kingship that did not depend on succ...

  • Word Count: 2511
  • Approx Pages: 10
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

9. Midevil

... and war were such big parts of their history. To understand their thoughts on warfare one must understand there views on life. In Beowulf, Burton Raffel portrays many aspects of Anglo-Saxon lifestyle, especially the importance of weaponry, women's role in society, and the significance of Christianity. There was not a single object that mattered to Anglo-Saxons more than their weapons. The Anglo ... endless struggle against foreign enemies and rival kinsmen for authority, power and tribute. Even after Christianity had supplied them with an ideology of kingship that did not depend on succ...

  • Word Count: 2514
  • Approx Pages: 10
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

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