The poem Beowulf
Beowulf is a poem which was written from themed of seventh to the end of the tenth century. Old English texts were written during an era when the civilization of English was in the progress of getting converted from their pagan beliefs to Christianity. Therefore, poetry like Beowulf has both pagan and Christianity cultures. The poem is written in alliterative verse, which helps the reader to understand the meaning of the poem more deeply. The text explains the characteristics of Anglo-Saxon traits like imagery, interpolations, wyrd, and Christian typologies, boasts, and strength. Additionally, the scene of Beowulf with his battle with a dragon shows that the theme of Christianity is more dominant in the poem than paganism. Thus, Christianity is more consistent in Beowulf than paganism through the scenes of battle with the dragon, typology used in the poem, and the contrast between providence and wyrd.
In Beowulf’s scene fighting with the dragon, typology is well depicted in Beowulf, together with his twelve companions. Typology refers to using imagery related to Christianity or other literature by works. In this text, typology is depicted by conveying Beowulf as the savior, whom Christians commonly perceive as Jesus Christ and his companions as the twelve disciples. Moreover, the interpolations used in the texts depict the use of Christianity. For instance, the writer explains a Supreme being who judges right from bad deeds, a common trait used by Christians.
Then, providence and wyrd is also a contrast in the poem. Markedly, wyrd is an Anglo-Saxon trait that the hero addresses his end with bravery and strength, without any hope of changing it. On the contrary, providence is a believer in Christianity on God’s spiritual power and protectiveness for all His people. From the play, this gets depicted by the scene where Beowulf by Anglo-Saxon trait could have accepted death after his sword getting destroyed by Grendel’s dam. Nonetheless, because Christians believe in a providence God, he granted Beowulf another sword that he used to execute the dam.
Furthermore, in Beowulf poem between lines 2530 and 2539, Beowulf confidently acclaims how he can take on the dragon alone, and either survive to tell the story, or he could die. Markedly, this confidence is a psychological strategy to prepare him for the outcome of the situation. It symbolizes the pagan belief, which explains that people cannot change fate; instead, all situations needed to be tackled with bravery and strength. Contrasting the pagan view on this scene to Christianity typology, Beowulf can be depicted as a Christ-like figure who came to save the world from all the sufferings, Beowulf is presented as a leader with twelve apostles and just like Jesus; he has a favorite, John. Beowulf shows his goodness as he leads these people. With these different themes of a typology of Christ and strength, Beowulf’s poem shows the opposing ideologies.
The dragon which Beowulf chooses to fight can be used to symbolize the pagan perception of chaos. According to this scene, the scene reveals the strength which Beowulf has by confronting a gigantic thing like the dragon and portrays the pagan ideal of victory and glory. In Beowulf’s scene, battling the dragon, he is determined to execute the monster, not only to save the people’s lives but also to fight the chaos that most Anglo-Saxons were afraid of. The chaos was mainly associated with nature, something beyond the power of people to control, which explains why they were afraid of them. In comparison, during Beowulf’s confrontation with Grendel’s dam, the dam was a factual being that symbolized evil spirit. It paralleled to Beowulf, the symbolic Christ in charge of destroying evil powers. From these scenes, one shows the Christianity perspective, whereby Beowulf defeats the evil agent by providence. The other scene shows the pagan idealism, where Beowulf needs to use his might to confront his fear, which is a contrast of the two to the themes.
Beowulf’s poem’s interpolation can be connected to the Christian narrator and some characteristics of the New Testament. Beowulf’s apostles abandoning him when he was facing the dragon can be compared to when the apostles of Jesus left him after the last supper. Inline 2596 of the poem, the narrator explains that Beowulf did not get any help from his men. That can be compared to when Jesus was being tried, and the disciples ran away for them not to get caught and killed for his sake, except St. John, who stood by him. St. John’s loyalty can be compared to Wiglaf’s loyalty to Beowulf, and the strength for the two helped them defeat the beast. Moreover, the interpolation can be contrasted to the paganism theme for strength and facing the fate of an individual with love. Individuals being loyal to their leaders, both of which cannot get into a resolution.
In conclusion, the poem of Beowulf is both a Christian and a pagan story. Through the numerous speeches and battles which Beowulf undergoes, it represents the various values and focuses which pagans and Christian cultures held dearly. Beowulf depicts savior who, through him, the people can get a conversion. By contrast to fate and providence, he is required to defeat the beasts. Thus, the play is influenced by both Christian and pagan standards.
