Christianity in Beowulf Essay

Beowulf Literary Analysis: Christianity

Throughout the Anglo-Saxon epic poem, Beowulf, there are many Biblical references and Christian elements. This is mostly attributed to this the time period in which this story had been written, and the fact that the Monks were key in the role of transcribing the stories of the culture.

During the time of the inscription of this epic, Christianity had been introduced to the Anglo-Saxons. Since the only form of education in this century were the monasteries, the Monks wrote down the stories, and to better get the point across and convert people to Christianity they added biblical references. These allusions are apparent throughout the epic, with statements like, Conceived by a pair of those monsters born of Cain murderous creatures banished by God. (Line 21) This statement is in reference to the book of Genesis in the Bible. In this story Cain kills Abel because while Abels actions were pure and kind, Cains were cynical and evil. Showing the gravity of the Grendel situation and showing how evil this monster was.

This elegy is also a good vs. evil struggle, where Beowulf represents good, and the various characters he faces represent evil. This is also a very Christian angle that was added to the story. This is due to the fact that Christianity is a constant struggle between good and evil, God and the Devils temptation to do wrong. While many think Beowulf is arrogant and egomaniacal this is just because in epics characters reveal themselves because there is not exactly and intervention of a narrator in an epic.

Beowulf actually personifies the characteristics of an epic hero, which is trustworthy, brave, strong, and good, and is extremely similar to that of a Christian hero. This is shown from the very moment Beowulf is introduced in this story you can tell he is brave and here to save the day. Grendel on the other hand embodies all of the characteristics of a devil. He is mean, nasty, and extremely grotesque in personality and looks. The vast difference in these two characters stresses the good vs. evil aspect of Beowulf even further.

Beowulf may have started off as an Anglo-Saxon Pagan work, but has morphed into a Christian good vs. evil scenario with applications of biblical references in characterization. The meaning of the story remains the same for the most part, it just give more detail in the description of things, because of the literary symbolism now incorporated in this epic. Through oral tradition and the passing down through monasteries more and more of Beowulf was infused with Christian idealism.