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  • Essay / Division between Christianity and Paganism in Beowulf

    In Beowulf, we often see a clash between Christianity and paganism. Considering that it was written to show how Christian beliefs are superior to pagan beliefs, it would be strange if this was not seen. When Beowulf was written, Christians believed that they were better than everyone else and they disapproved of people with ideas different from theirs. Christians believe that there is only one God and believe that Jesus was put on this planet to save us. Pagans believe that there are many gods, but they usually choose one in particular to worship and praise. Because of this difference, the two religions don't really like each other. In the poem we see the division between Christianity and paganism through comparisons like light versus darkness and good versus evil. Obviously, in this case, Christians are light and good and pagans are evil and darkness. Throughout this essay, I will examine this divide in more depth and explain it. The divide between Christianity and paganism is most apparent in the comparison between good and evil. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay The first villain readers encounter is Grendel, the terrifying beast who has been attacking Herot Hall for 12 years. “So the times were good for the people there until finally one, a demon out of hell, began to do his evil in the world” (Heaney 9, lines 99-101). We see that the good and happy Danish people are terrorized by Grendel. Words like hell and evil both evoke negative emotions towards this monster. Finally, when the brave and strong Beowulf appears, Hrothgar is very grateful because Beowulf will try to help his people. Beowulf immediately proves in the fight that he will win. “The captain of evil found himself in a grip harder than he had ever encountered in any man on the face of the earth” (Heaney 51, lines 749-752). Readers see that Beowulf will be the hero, or good, who saves the Danish people from the evil monster. Grendel is destroyed in an extremely quick fight and it appears that Christianity has won, but another pagan threat lurks. . Grendel's mother is the next monster Beowulf must fight and she is described as "a monstrous bride of hell" (Heaney 89, 1259). With words like those, we know she's going to be mean and she is. She murders one of Hrothgar's trusted advisors, so Beowulf goes to her house in a haunted place to seek revenge. After a tougher fight, Beowulf prevails, showing that Christianity is still supreme. The last battle Beowulf fights in is the most difficult. After reading the phrase “for the vile wingman of heaven would leave nothing living in his wake” (Heaney 157, lines 2314-2315), we know that this villain is the worst yet. Once the fight is over, we see that Beowulf and the dragon have been mortally wounded. It seems to be the end of Christianity and paganism, but suddenly Beowulf gives his couple to Wiglaf. Not only does this symbolize a new king of Geatland, but it shows that Christianity endures and paganism is defeated. The other comparison we see in this poem is that of light and darkness. Usually when you fight the monster the scene is dark, but right after they die the light appears. For example: “A light appeared and the place lit up like the sky when the sky candle shines brightly. »(Lines 1570-1572). This sentence appears just after..