Religion plays a significant role in Beowulf, as it explores the idea that with God’s protection, man can achieve greatness and survive according to Christian ideology. However, the story also showcases Beowulf’s strong desire for pride, which goes against Christian morals. This clash between pride and humility, as well as selfishness and sacrifice, is evident throughout Beowulf. Hrothgar cautions Beowulf that without humility, pride will ultimately lead to his downfall.
The passage explores Beowulf’s internal struggle between Christianity and Paganism. It emphasizes the significance of religion in Beowulf’s conduct, his relationship with God, and his adherence to both Christian doctrines and Pagan customs. In every confrontation he encounters, Beowulf depends on his steadfast belief in divine protection, which serves as an intangible shield for him. He recognizes that without God by his side, he would not have prevailed against Grendel, Grendel’s mother, or the dragon; indeed, he might have met his demise.
Beowulf, in his fight against Grendel’s mother, encounters a weapon on the wall and interprets its finding as an act of God. This highlights Beowulf’s commitment to the Christian faith, which credits all prosperity and triumphs to one’s belief in God. Consequently, rather than claiming credit for discovering the sword that defeats Grendel’s mother, Beowulf expresses thankfulness towards God. Ultimately, Beowulf’s strong connection with God greatly contributes to his exceptional achievements.
While Beowulf contains recurring themes of Christianity, it also incorporates influences from pagan ideology. The narrative presents various elements of Christian teachings, such as the belief that God safeguards individuals, that all worldly possessions come from Him, and that humility and selflessness are virtues, which contrast with pagan values. Despite the poem mentioning several pagan aspects, it predominantly highlights Christian implications, showcasing elements of Christian heroism in the story. For instance, Beowulf’s statement “God must decide who will be given to death’s cold grip” (Heaney 38) exemplifies this.
Beowulf possesses knowledge of God’s predetermined resolution to the battle against Grendel, granting him a profound sense of tranquility. Beowulf’s actions and virtuousness exhibit qualities reminiscent of Jesus Christ. Similar to Christ’s understanding of the oppression faced by the Jewish people, Beowulf comprehends the tribulations endured by the Danes at the hands of the malevolent monster Grendel. Both individuals embark on a mission to liberate and protect their people from hardship. The Danes necessitated a savior to emancipate themselves from the clutches of this monster. Driven by his determination to alleviate their suffering, Beowulf emerges as their rescuer. This clash between Beowulf’s prideful heroism and Christianity is evident throughout the narrative.
Beowulf seamlessly navigates between the worlds of paganism and Christianity, demonstrating his ability to exist comfortably in both. This blending of influences is a common theme in literature of the time. While Beowulf relies on his own strength to defeat his enemies, he also exhibits a dependence on God, reflecting the Christian values of the era. Additionally, his pursuit of fame, fate, and revenge aligns with pagan beliefs. It is understood that Beowulf recognizes the importance of sharing wealth selflessly, a principle rooted in his understanding of God’s grace.
Within Beowulf, amidst the fame and desire for revenge, there are instances of humility, selflessness, and love. Paganism, which is characterized by the worship of multiple gods, embodies this way of life. Each god in the Pagan realm possesses distinct virtues. Beowulf himself acknowledges that “It is always better to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning” (Heaney 80). This belief stems from Paganism, where the notion of seeking vengeance holds significance. The concepts of fame and destiny are also prevalent in Beowulf.
After spending 50 years sitting on his throne, Beowulf, although famous, felt that his fame had declined since his heroic victories over Grendel and his mother. This longing for his past fame became one of the motivations for Beowulf to embark on a quest to defeat the dragon. When the dragon ravaged his land, Beowulf’s anger and hostility towards it intensified. He desired revenge and vengeance, which further motivated his decision to slay the dragon. Ultimately, Beowulf used the concepts of fame and vengeance to drive his plan to defeat the dragon.
The pagan ideas greatly influenced all these things in Beowulf’s story. He faced a struggle with his Christian beliefs while pagan ideas clouded his judgment. Being human, it was hard for him to avoid practicing the pagan ideas, although he strived to follow God’s righteous yet constricted path. Beowulf encounters instances of fate throughout the story, which seem to control his life and push him to accomplish feats no one else has achieved. Despite being a mere mortal, he triumphs over monsters even when failure seemed inevitable.
Additionally, Beowulf’s elevation to the position of King of the Geats, despite not being next in line for the throne, confirms his status as the ultimate hero he was destined to be. Regardless of whether Beowulf is seen as a Christian, pagan, or non-religious tale, his bond with his community mirrors his relationship with God. Without Beowulf, Grendel would have unquestionably slaughtered and devoured his people. Nonetheless, Beowulf assumes the responsibility to safeguard them and guarantee their well-being. This closely resembles how God provides refuge for Beowulf.
Throughout the story, God is consistently referred to as “the protector” to emphasize the idea of divine intervention. This concept is exemplified during the battle against Grendel’s Mother, where Beowulf acknowledges God’s role in his success: “The fight would have ended straightaway if God had not guarded me” (Heaney 45). Beowulf further emphasizes God’s guidance, stating that “most often He has guided the man without friends” (Heaney 55), implying that there is a higher power protecting him. This portrayal of God’s protection serves as a central element of Christian beliefs in the epic.
God is portrayed as a ruler who establishes, explains, and enforces laws. This ultimately results in the formation of Heaven and Hell. Because God and humans are distinct entities, it is crucial to establish a devoted relationship between them. As the creator of all things, humans should not claim credit for their accomplishments but instead display modesty, humility, and selflessness. If someone obtains wealth, which originates from God’s provision, they should distribute it among others to acknowledge that wealth belongs to all individuals under God’s guidance. Consequently, this emphasizes the importance of selflessness.
Beowulf consistently seeks the protection of God and is rewarded for carrying out His desires. Beowulf’s expression of gratitude to God for the sword he used to defeat Grendel’s mother exemplifies his dedication to following God’s principles and virtues. Religion may perhaps be the central theme in Beowulf, as the author clearly illustrates the contrast between Christian beliefs and the ideals of Paganism as distinct realms that both influenced Beowulf’s life.
Beowulf’s relationship with God exemplified the authentic Christian way of life necessary for redemption, whereas Paganism embraced notions of revenge and retribution. He was portrayed as a figure akin to Jesus Christ, guiding his people away from oppression, showcasing his destiny as their defender. Beowulf emerged as a devoted follower of God, a leader for his people, and arguably one of the most remarkable epic heroes of his era.
