Christianity in Beowulf: Is the Pagan Hero a Christian Warrior?
Christianity in Beowulf, is a major theme in the famous poem, despite being originally a pagan story. The elements of Christianity in the poem have caused some confusion for scholars.
Was the poem originally pagan and then transitioned, and was Beowulf pagan or Christian?
Find out more about Beowulf and his religion in this article.
Beowulf and Christianity: Examples and Values of Christianity
Throughout the poem, it’s clear that all the characters are Christian and believe in one God instead of many. They acknowledge their faith throughout the poem, an example would be when Beowulf says in Seamus Heaney’s translation, “And may the Divine Lord In His wisdom grant victory To whichever side He sees fit,” right when he was on the evening of battle with his first monster, Grendel. Take a look at the examples of Christianity and references to that faith below.
Christian References in Beowulf
In addition to mentions of the Christian God, there are also mentions of Biblical stories and lessons. These are more indirect references to the new and growing faith.
These include:
- “They suffered a terrible severance from the Lord; The Almighty made the waters rise, Drowned them in the deluge for retribution”: This is a reference to the great flood which Noah and his family only survived by building the ark
- “For the killing of Abel The Eternal Lord had exacted a price: Cain got no good from committing that murder”: This example gives reference to the story of Adam and Eve’s children. Cain was jealous of his brother Abel and killed him, as a result he was cast out
- “The Almighty Judge Of good deeds and bad, the Lord God, Head of the Heavens and High King of the World, Was unknown to them”: This section compares the pagans to the Christians and how they will deal with the end of life and going to Hell
The references to Christianity in the poem are often connected to bring up paganism as well. Sometimes the author acknowledges what people did in the past before stating what people are doing now. The poem really portrays the transition that Europe was making at the time, in short jumps back and forth between the old and the new.
The Overarching Values of Beowulf: Pagan or Secretly Christian?
The overall theme is Beowulf is the battle between good and evil, and good’s victory over it. While this is a general theme that can apply to all cultures and nearly all faiths, it is definitely a focus in Christianity. Christians are to act as bastions for good, and Beowulf plays that role. But at the same time, Beowulf is acting as a prime example of his time period and culture.
He is an epic hero who exhibits the characteristics of the heroic/chivalric code as well. This code in specific lays focus on courage, physical strength, skill in battle, loyalty, revenge, and honor. Many of these characteristics also match Christian values in Beowulf, but there are some contradictions. For example, loyalty and courage are good things in the eyes of Christianity, but revenge and violence are not Christian values.
Beowulf exhibits each thing, even though they are contradictory, and he professes Christianity throughout. Another thing that is a part of the heroic culture is to gain honor and reputation. Beowulf is always talking about his achievements and expecting to be rewarded for them. But that goes against the Christian values of humility and lowering oneself, even though the poem does state, “But Beowulf was mindful of his mighty strength, The wondrous gifts God had showered on him.”
Examples of Christianity in Beowulf
The examples of Christianity are far too many to name all of them here. But here are a few mentioned in the famous tale: (these all come from Seamus Heaney’s translation of the poem)
“They thanked God For that easy crossing on a calm sea”: Beowulf and his men travel across the sea to the Danes from their homeland, Geatland- “Whichever one death fells Must deem it a just judgment by God”: Beowulf is thinking about his battle with Grendel and if he should fall
- “But blessed is he Who after death can approach the Lord And find friendship in the Father’s embrace”: This line was mentioned after lines discussing those still practicing paganism and don’t know their fate after death
- “I suffered a long Harrowing by Grendel. But the Heavenly Shepherd Can work his wonders always and everywhere”: This was part of the speech from the King of the Danes after Beowulf killed Grendel. He was thanking him heartily for his help
- “That could have gone badly; if God had not helped me”: This is Beowulf describing his battle with Grendel’s mother
- “So I praise God In His heavenly glory that I lived to behold This head dripping blood”: the King of the Danes is still thanking Beowulf for what he did to remove the fiend, although it’s a little strange that he’s thanking God for a violent act
There are many, many other mentions of God and faith peppered throughout the poem. It is almost made to seem like Beowulf is the hero of God. He was put in the right place at the right time to fulfill his destiny as he removes evil.
Background information about the Famous Poem and War Hero
The epic poem of Beowulf was written in Old English, between the years 975 and 1025. Scholars cannot identify when it was originally written, having in mind that the author as well as the date are both unknown. Likely the story was orally passed down from one generation to the other, talking about a tale that took place in the 6th century, Scandinavian. Beowulf is the epic hero, who travels to help the Danes fight a monster.
The monster keeps on killing them, and Beowulf is the only one who can save them, eventually slaying him. He also fights the monster’s mother, succeeds, and many years later defeats a dragon. This leads to Beowulf death, but the focus is that he was strong enough to defeat all of the enemies of his story. It is a very famous story because it is entertaining while also providing a perfect snippet of culture and history in the poem.
There are both pagan and Christian elements in Beowulf, so it can be a little confusing. The author might have been struggling through his own religious transition, having one foot still in the past as he made his way forward. But during this time period, Europe was slowly making a transition to Christianity as it grew more popular. And yet, just as the poem makes clear, there were many pagan traditions people still held onto and still believed in despite the Christian influence in Beowulf.
Conclusion
Take a look at the main points about Christianity in Beowulf covered in the article above.
- All the characters in the poem, except for the monsters, refer to Christianity and profess that faith
- There are so many mentions of God, his goodness, and his ability to help and save
- Beowulf has been given gifts by God, and that is why he is so skilled at what he does
- Of course, the overall theme of good fighting against evil and winning is a very Christian value, but one of the pagan values they still hold is revenge, while Christianity states that one should ‘turn the other cheek’
- Boasting and fighting for honor and glory as opposed to the good of others are also not very Christian values
- Beowulf is a little bit of a confusing and contradictory character, a mix of both the old ways of paganism and the new ways of Christianity
- Beowulf is an epic poem written in Old English between 975 and 1025, likely an orally told story that eventually got written down. The poem takes place in Scandinavia, where the elements refer to parts of the heroic code like reputation and revenge
- Scholars are uncertain because there are both pagan and Christian elements in the poem. And they don’t know when those Christian elements were added in
- Europe was going through a religious transition at the time. And this poem could have been written during that exact time when people were turning to a new faith
Christianity in Beowulf is very evident, and there are plenty of lines referencing God, thanking him, or even asking him for help.
There are also references to Bible stories and other Christian values such as believing in the Lord to help you through hard times. But in the background, paganism still lingers, and it could still be an important question: is Beowulf truly a Christian, or is he still a pagan?
