Beowulf: God and Good Deeds Essay

Submitted By pattymayo
Words: 567
Pages: 3
Open Document
Patrick O’Brien
English 2470
2/19/14
Religion in Beowulf to Everyman In this context of Beowulf we find religion to be an very important subject in this time of day. and realize that religion plays a big factor in this writing. In the text Jesus is never mentioned but with that being said the text seems to be somewhat Christianized as there are multiple examples (references to the Cain and Abel stories of the Old Testament) of religion that are very similar if not the same as Christianity. The religion that the text uses would be categorized as Pagan, since the time of this text being written about early medieval Scandinavia. The characters of Beowulf did not know who the Lord was or what he looked like but they did know there was an above power that they did believe in. Also like Christianity, the people in the book do believe there is a heaven that they reach after a good, well deserved life. They thought that there would be a deciding moment where they would stand in front of their creator. With that being said hell is also a place to them likes so of the Christians, where they would go after many terrible things done in life. Believing without seeing is what these people based their religion off of and considered faith the most important asset to their life as religious people. In the book there is a quote saying “they did not know the maker, the judge of deeds; they did not know the one true God, or how to worship heaven’s protector, ruler of glories.” This foreshadows up to what could possibly be the answer to their prayers, Beowulf’s arrival. In the context of Everyman it is similar in many was to the religion of Beowulf and that time. “Everyman” is short for a character or an average human being, just like any ol’ person. In this text it explains how many people start to get carried away in the materialistic world and put their religious beliefs to the side for the feeling of comfort from being “popular” or looking “cool” because of the things they possess. This text shows and states how the
Show More

Related Documents: Beowulf: God and Good Deeds Essay

Christianity In Beowulf Essay

such as Beowulf and Everyman. While being enrolled in a Humanities class, I learned that foremost that religion played a crucial important role during Roman times. During the Roman era, many Roman gods were worshiped as Roman Empires started embracing the praise of other Gods, eventuality, the Roman Empire started growing within this motion. This is what led to the birth of a new religion of Christianity. Christianity, was about taking steps to have a better understanding foundation with God and came…

Words 1051 - Pages 5

Beowulf's Accomplishments

Epic of Gilgamesh” provides insights on political and social problems during this time era. Initially, Gilgamesh is malicious and inhumane during his rulings; however, the townspeople proclaim their ruler to be too domineering. Soon thereafter, the gods eventually spiritually awaken Enkidu to discipline Gilgamesh to mold him into the hero the townspeople need. The ambition of this epic eventually shifts from political focuses to friendship and heroism on behalf of both Enkidu and Gilgamesh. It is…

Words 576 - Pages 3

A Character Analysis Of 'Grendel In Beowulf'

character Grendel in the poem Beowulf, With all the sinful deeds he did to the danish people i’m sure even he couldn’t predict the outcome of the fateful meeting with Beowulf. As proven in the text Grendel was living out his fate. To begin,the poet introduces Grendel as this demonic evil monstrous creature. He also informs to the readers that Grendel is not only descended from a biblical evil-doer, but he also had an insatiable lush for malice. In the poem, Beowulf, it states “ Grendel came again…

Words 583 - Pages 3

Examples Of Heroism In Beowulf

In Beowulf, heroism does not happen arbitrarily or spontaneously but is instead born from acts of vengeance. Heroism in Beowulf does not occur without first being a response to vengeance. However, the vengeance being responded to is often created through acts of heroism. It is because of this that it will be argued that heroism in Beowulf does not happen in a vacuum but instead occurs through a cycle of vengeance. Acts of vengeance present opportunities for heroism but success in these endeavors…

Words 843 - Pages 4

Essay about the pagan

Name Teacher CC English Date Pagan vs. Christian Influences in Beowulf At the time of its creation, Beowulf was influenced by Pagan rituals, deities and ideas, but by passing down the epic narrative word of mouth, an age of Christianity will have had a residual effect on the story. The mix of ideas is not a struggle for religious power in the story, but Paganism’s heroic ideals and Christianity’s self-sacrificing virtues blend to form a delicate mosaic that could have not been otherwise.…

Words 1382 - Pages 6

Grendel's Mother and Beowulf Essay

10.4.13 Beowulf Essay 2 Good Faces Evil and Prevails “God did not create evil. Just as darkness is the absence of light, evil is the absence of God.”- Albert Einstein. Beowulf, whose author is unknown, is an epic poem that was written between 700 and 1000AD. Throughout the poem, there is a series of battles in which the main character, Beowulf, must defeat various monsters using his strength and God’s grace. Each battle draws a clear distinction between good and evil, showing that good always…

Words 1082 - Pages 5

Examples Of Heroism In Beowulf

In Beowulf there is the reoccurring themes of Vengeance and Heroism throughout the entire time. Heroism on it's own does not spontaneously happen, and it also does not happen without some sort of purpose or outside force causing it to happen. Instead, Heroism gets progressively developed in Beowulf after these certain acts of Vengeance are first displayed. Heroism throughout Beowulf also will not occur without it first becoming a reaction to these acts of Vengeance. Most of the time however, these…

Words 931 - Pages 4

What Is Paganism In Beowulf

Beowulf symbolizes Jesus Christ Pagan ideals and Christian ideals collide throughout the entirety of Beowulf. Pagan beliefs in Beowulf are depicted through the belief of wyrd. Wyrd was considered an inescapable and destined path through life. It is later mentioned when Beowulf fights the dragon, which leads to his own demise due to his fate, or his wyrd. The Pagan idea of fate, revenge, and demons are not the only Christianity may have adopted several ideas from Paganism, so it is evident that there…

Words 1107 - Pages 5

Who Is Beowulf A Hero

Essay Beowulf an excellent warrior Beowulf is an excellent warrior out of all the characters from the myth because he symbolises his youth by his feat of courage and strength. He is loyal to his people. Whenever a problem arises, he doesn’t just leave his people alone to deal with it by themselves. He knows that he is responsible for whatever circumstances that will happen after his act/decision. He knows that if his decision went wrong then he is the only one to blame. Therefore, he makes sure…

Words 969 - Pages 4

Bravery In Beowulf Essay

statement holds true in the great epic of "Beowulf." "Beowulf" is the story of a great hero who comes to the aid of a troubled king. Beowulf hears that king Hrothgar is having trouble and immediately comes to help with no questions asked. he defeats the monster, Grendel, with his bare hands. Beowulf then defeats Grendel's mother along with a dragon until he is fatally injured. Bravery is a very admirable characteristic that few people possess. First of all, Beowulf came to help Hrothgar on his own free…

Words 481 - Pages 2