It is believed that Beowulf was written by a Christian monk who There are many Christian elements that are incorporated in Beowulf. One of the Christian elements incorporated in the story is that through Beowulf’s adventures, God looks over him and offers him protection. Beowulf knows that God is looking out for him as he ensures his survival. Throughout the story, Beowulf repeatedly thanks God for his numerous victories. The narrator always gives credit to God whenever a man accomplishes something heroic explaining that it could only be done with the help of God. “If God had not helped me, the result would have been quick and fatal.” A value that conflicts with a theme which comes up in the story multiple times is Beowulf’s pride. Beowulf is well aware how great he is as he boasts about himself and flaunts it around many times. This conflicts with the Christian concept to always be humble. In the end, his pride is what results in his ultimate downfall; this shows the Christian idea that you must remain humble and unselfish to remain under the mercy of God. In one point of the story, Hrothgar tells of a story about a selfish king who owed all of his success to God but did not realize it. Biblical allusions appear in this work’ Grendel is said to be a descendant of Cain. Hrothgar’s speech to Beowulf is referred to as Christ’s Sermon on the Mount and the hilt of the giant sword is compared to Noah and the flood. Beowulf faces many monsters which in Christianity can resemble the devil and be a symbol of evil/darkness. The Christian overlay in the story reminds the audience of its Christian roots. The message would be portrayed the same whether or not there was any Christian elements; this story just ties its causes and affect back into Christian philosophy. I think that the Christian overlay ties into the themes found in the story. Christian elements can incorporate well into themes like Strength and Skill, Courage, Mortality, Wealth, Religion and Good vs. Evil. In Christian beliefs, it is only God who can give you strength, skill and bravery. God gives humans mortality as well as wealth, He is the basis of their religion. In the battles between Beowulf and the 3 monsters as well as Grendel, God and Beowulf’s faith helped good conquer over evil. The Christian God can be tied back to every one of these common themes in Beowulf. Christian elements play a fundamental role in the telling of this story.
Sources used:
http://csis.pace.edu/grendel/projs1d/CHRIST.html
http://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-cristian-elements-beowulf-45955
Sources used:
http://csis.pace.edu/grendel/projs1d/CHRIST.html
http://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-cristian-elements-beowulf-45955