Beowulf Literary Analysis Essay

The Juxtaposition of Paganism and Christianity in Beowulf

The epic poetry Beowulf is thought to be the first one to have existed in its original form. It was written in the Anglo-Saxon period, a time when society was going through enormous social changes, particularly in the religious sector, which had a knock-on impact on other aspects of social life. The poem is set in a pre-Christian environment, but a character who has converted to Christianity tells the story in the Christian period. In order to create a hybrid of practices that defines societies going through change phases, previous cultural practices are assimilated with new ones in this society-in-transition. This depicts the paganism and Christianity that characterized Anglo-Saxon society in the instance of Beowulf. These juxtapositionings of the two sets of beliefs can be seen in character personification where main characters have been assigned superhuman powers which characterize the pagan way of life. This form of personification perhaps is brought about by the rich reference of Beowulf’s ancestors that lived prior to the rise of Christian belief. It is this personification of characters to superhuman beings that sets Beowulf in the trajectory of comparison between paganism and Christianity.

Beowulf and his Conquest of Nature

One instance where Beowulf is painted as a superhero who defies nature is during a verbal duel with Grendel (Beowulf 510-530). Here, Grendel challenges Beowulf on his ability to conquer nature, fighting in the waves of the seas and emerging victorious. This is an indication that Beowulf is of superhuman character just like Grendel who feels that Beowulf should not earn the accolades of being superhuman. This is further buttressed when Beowulf praises his abilities to conquer the vagaries of nature and challenges Grendel that his words were spoken in a “drunken stupor” (Beowulf 570). Praising self-ability is against the Christian faith yet Beowulf acknowledges the power of God as the controller of the forces of nature. Therefore, this brings the first juxtaposition of paganism versus Christianity.

Beowulf’s Self-Glorification and its Contrast with Christian Teachings

Beowulf further carries a character of self-glorification and wants praise to be heaped upon him, clearly going against the Christian teachings of not sharing God’s glory. This shows his pagan tendencies. He boasts of his exploits in the seas and how he was able to fight beasts (Beowulf 400-410). This not only shows his superhuman nature but also shows that he is a character that likes basking in glory. This is against the Christian teachings of meekness and heaping glory to God. This self-glorification is further portrayed in his announcement to attack Grendel as he feels the latter has been ignoring his exploits in the sea. This is a pagan tradition of worldly fame as opposed to seeking heavenly rewards. This self-glorification is quickly followed by infusing the Christian belief of God’s control over the universe where Beowulf attributes the outcome of the duel between him and Grendel as a sign of God’s will (Beowulf 440).

Comparison of Beowulf and Grendel as Christian and Pagan Figures

Another juxtaposition of Paganism and Christianity in this poem is depicted in a close analysis of Beowulf and Grendel. The poem depicts more Christian-like elements that overpower the pagan elements making the Christian-like elements dominate. To begin with, Beowulf shows Christ-like character. He adopts superhuman powers just like Christ and aims at dominating and defeating Grendel, who has been described in this poem as a descendant of biblical Cain, who is described in Christian mythology as someone who allowed Satan to trick him. The ongoing wars between Beowulf and Grendel mimic the work of Christ to redeem his people from the oppression of Satan, Beowulf adopting the Christ-like character while Grendel mimics the character of Satan (Beowulf 580-600). Grendel is seen as the custodian of sin and thrives where there is eternal suffering, as opposed to Beowulf who seeks a community characterized by peace and harmony. Thus, the two characters reflect Christ and Satan.

The Society in Transition and the Confusion of Paganism and Christianity

When the Danes are subjected to a difficult life by the atrocities perpetrated by Grendel, they turn to their heathen gods and pagan shrines for intervention (Beowulf 65-70; 170-180). This is an indication that the society depicted by the poet lived in a transition error where both Christianity and paganism inserted considerable social forces. This scenario where the Danes retreat to their pagan shrines perhaps shows the confusion of transition rather than a people that chooses pagan ways out of choice. In such scenarios, Beowulf is seen to acknowledge his people’s transgression, depicting a picture where the Danes suppressed their pagan transgression with their belief in Christianity. Thus, they appear to practice paganism not out of choice but subconsciously based on past experiences.

Body Disposal Ceremonies: Paganism vs. Christianity

The final juxtaposition of the Christian and Pagan beliefs in the poem appears during the body disposal ceremonies. Whereas the Christian practice advocates for the burial of the body without any earthly possessions, the Geats’ rituals involve cremation with elaborate pyres in line with their heathen belief that a pyre is a reflection of one’s earthly accomplishment (Beowulf 2900-2930). Beowulf’s pyre was built to show his earthly accomplishment. It stood several feet high with medals, instruments of war, helmets, as well as shining armor. Prior to his death, Beowulf ordered his people to make a barrow for him, and proceeds to mention his pyre. The aim of ordering this barrow was to allow future generations to remember him and his exploits. This is in sharp contrast to the character he had exhibited earlier where he had acknowledged all his exploits to the power of God (Beowulf 2800). Self-glorification like the pyre and the barrow ordered by Beowulf are pagan behaviors of self-glorification, which is a sharp contrast to Christianity that acknowledges God’s glory only. This shows that Christianity and paganism themes are juxtaposed in the entire poem, often taking contrasting positions and in some occasions, taking complementary roles.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is evident that Beowulf as a poem has employed personification of superhuman characters. The personification of the main characters in the poem has set the whole theme to bring strong cases where both paganism and Christianity are juxtaposed. Beowulf’s ability to defy the forces of nature depicts a supernatural character that sets the theme of paganism. Secondly, Beowulf’s self-glorification for his exploits is a variant trait from Christian beliefs that he mostly adopts throughout the poem. Taking opposing sides of Christ and Satan is yet another way that the theme of Christianity versus paganism is juxtaposed in that one understands the general views of the two systems of beliefs. As the poem ends, body rituals bring about the theme of paganism and Christianity, especially when Beowulf thanks the lord for the victories and proceeds to seek for his own glory through a barrow that he orders constructed and a pyre showing his accomplishment, the pagan’s ways. Thus, the personification of characters to superhuman sets the poem as an epitome of paganism versus Christianity comparison.

Works Cited

Beowulf: A New Verse Translation. Translated by Seamus Heaney. Norton, 2000.