Written by: Soco_south
“ . . . He was spawned in that slim, / Conceived by a pair of those monsters born / Of Cain, murderous creatures banished / by God, punished forever for the crime / Of Abel’s death” (lines 19-23). This quotation alone shows the religious influence in the early English epic Beowulf. Religion seems to influence all early English writings, and conflict between Pagan and Christian in the earliest. Most early epics, such as Beowulf, show conflicting views, though are addressed to a Christian audience. And most Christian writings refer to the old ways as Heathenry.
Heathens
Heathen, by understood definition, means ‘one who is uncivilized or uncultured’ which truly is a fallacy. “The word Heathen comes from Old English hæðen, a word whose origin has been stated by scholars as being a native word related to Greek ethnos, or a gloss for Latin pagan ‘rural dweller’ meaning ‘dweller on the heath’”(“Theod”). This term, whatever its origin, is the preferred term when referencing the pagan religion(s) of the Anglo-Saxon tribes. Theses tribes descend from the earlier tribes of Saxons, Jutes, Angles, Frisians, Varni, and other Germanic invaders that migrated to
modern day Britain. Around 500 BCE, these tribes began to expand from modern Denmark, Southern Scandinavia, and Northern Germany to lands formerly held by Celts, Balts, and Illyrians.
Christianity
Christianity began its expansion into Indo-Europe in the later portion of the 400 BCE century. In the beginning, the Christians focused on converting the nobility of the Germanic tribes, hoping the general population would follow. “First of these nobles was Clovis I of the Franks. The Christianization of the Franks soon followed, though it would take until the 7th century to halt some pagan traditions.”(Christianization) The Christianization of the Germanic tribes continued with Irish missionaries. These missionaries, monks if you will, developed a concept known as peregrination. This meant that as punishment for their sins, the monks would travel amongst the unconverted. This alone may link history to the fictitious epic Beowulf, and the monk present at Herot. Furthermore, the development of Christianity in Northern-Europe (setting of Beowulf) was far more violent then the past. The factions of each side fought during conversion, qualifying this as generic warfare instead of “persecution”. Once a chieftain or ruler was converted, the practice of the “heathen” religions was made punishable. This may also be symbolized within Beowulf as Grendel. The concept may be grasped if one thinks of Grendel, descendant of Cain, as God’s way of punishing Hrothgar for not converting.
Influencing Authors
Beowulf and Dream of the Rood are two separate pieces of literature in which one can see the combination of Christianity and Paganism in writing. During the era of time in which Beowulf was written, the communities of the Germanic people were still undergoing conversion. It is my speculation that the writing of Beowulf, by what is suspected a monk, may have been used as a story to help the “heathens” of Indo-Europe see the importance of conversion. Their (“heathens”) belief in mystical beings and creatures may have been used as leverage in this manner. This may be a deceitful tactic, but one with results. Writings like the before mentioned are practically the only historical reference to Pre-Christian Paganism. The only writing of true Paganism is but a translation known as the Finnesburg Fragment. This poem, commonly known as a leoð (or “lay”), is but the transcript of the British Scholar George Hickes. The fragment is only about fifty lines long, but is referenced within Beowulf in lines 1068-1159 (not part of what Pike Valley Senior read).
Beowulf
Within the epic tale of Beowulf, there are many referrals to both religions, Pagan and Christian. Among the Christian references, the strongest is probably the statement “Conceived by a pair of those monsters born / Of Cain, murderous creatures banished”(20-21). This is clearly a biblical statement along with “Till the monster stirred, that demon, that fiend,/ Grendel, who haunted the moors, the wild/ Marshes, and made his home in a hell/ Not hell but earth . . .” (16-19). This is a biblical connotation primarily because in early Pagan beliefs, there was no heaven or hell, only Valhalla (place to join the Gods in feast and battle). Other implications of Christianity are: the belief Hrothgar’s throne is protected by God, the statement of “And sometimes they sacrificed to the old Gods,/ Made heathen vows, hoping for Hell’s/ Support, the Devil’s guidance in driving/ Their affliction off . . .” (90-93), and the quotations “ . . . God must decide/ Who will be given to deaths cold grip”(174-175) “ . . . Surely the Lord Almighty/ Could stop his madness, smother his lust!”(212-213).
Pagan beliefs or traditions are demonstrated within the plot most strongly as the cremation, or fire burial, of the victims and Beowulf. Other strong associations with Paganism are the mystics such as “ . . . I drove/ Five great giants into chains, chased/ all of that race from the earth. . .”(153-155) and “Then he saw, hanging on the wall, a heavy/ Sword, hammered by giants, strong/ And blessed with their magic, the best of all weapons/ but so massive that no ordinary man could lift/ Its carved and decorated length.”(633-637).
One may notice that in this graphic tale of swords, the Christian views and beliefs overpower the Pagan. Whether by sheer number or by overbearing victory (judgment of heathenism to be wrong) the tale of Beowulf is primarily Christian. I suspect this may be due to the notion that the story was written by a monk.
Post-Christianization
Modern day tales seem to have different perspectives than these older dialogs. In today’s world, writers don’t have to worry about conversion or the struggle against religious dominance. Though the predominant religion of today is Christianity, arguments still exist. Whether it be for political reason, or the suspicion of spells stated in the story to be real, controversy will always exist. The dominance of one religion is inevitable though the factions of that religion may raise conflict with each other. Reasons for righting may have changed, but conflict continues to strive. Even if not intended, writers may include symbolic religion in their stories. It is my belief, that the only way to bypass the struggle of religion, is to become ignorant of the matter. “Strength in Unity, Unity Through Faith!” (V for Vendetta), whether monotheistic or polytheistic, religion is key in many stories, and influential to the readers mindset. The use of religion in general may affect the public opinion of a work, though this fact shouldn’t stop any from being published.
Works Cited
Raffel, Burton. “Beowulf”. Elements or Literature: Sixth Course, Literature of Britain
with World Classics. Austin, TX: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2000. 17-51.
Theod, Miercinga. “History of Anglo-Saxon Heathenry.” Miercinga Theod-Anglo-Saxon
Heathenry. 1997-2006
Wikipedia. Christianization of Europe during the Middle Ages (6th-15th Century)
Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 27 Sep. 2007