Beowulf & the fight of his life.

A/N: If you are Pagan or Christian I apologize in advance for totally butchering your religions. This is just a highschool level paper, I'm not trying to start some huge controversy. My version of Beowulf translated by: Charles Kennedy. I stayed up late writing this, and tried stringing my idea's together without sounding dull, or pretentious. I would apperciate anyone who feels like nit-picking at my writing, and perhaps suggesting things I could change to better it or just my writing in general. Thanks, and enjoy.

Beowulf & the fight of his life.

The epic, Beowulf, does not clearly portray the Anglo-Saxon society. In this society they believe in three main ideals: life is a struggle to be endured, evil and death are inescapable, and fame is the only true immortality. Throughout the epic poem oral tradition infused with Christian ideals tainting the original impact of Pagan ideals.
The Anglo-Saxon period did last from 410-1066 A.D, and in it – religion is the most vital part of life. Through a informational system of gods – heroes, few priests, and formal rituals they believe in a mysterious power that rules the universe and had a stronger will than man's will, “They viewed the omens” (Line 140). Omens of the adventure ahead! Something Pagan's did often in this simple ritual. Hrothgar also displaying another Anglo-Saxon ritual with his power and fame, “To distant nations its name was known, the Hall of the Hart...” (53). Through him the mead-hall gained immortality, “...and the king kept well his pledge and promise to deal out gifts, rings at the banquet” (53-55).
This poem offers instances of the “Concept of a Hero” which involves the Greek ideal of a strong mind and body as the wandering hero, or a figure that is larger than life, “Truly, these words has the Lord of wisdom set in your heart, for I never have hearkened to speech so sage from a man so young. You have strength, and prudence, and wisdom of word” (1269-1272). Hrothgar spoke these words to Beowulf confirming his Pagan attributes. Further integrating loyalty, devotion, and fortitude. Moreover, establishing a long Anglo-Saxon epithet known as comitatus, or brotherhood and faith in each other, “Their proud gold giver departed home. But the Geats sat grieving and sick in spirit, stared at the water with longing eyes, having no hope they would ever behold their gracious leader and lord again” (1081-1085). While Hrothgar left the comitatus between Beowulf and his thanes reside. At the very beginning of the epic most of the description in Beowulf is Christian as the actions are mostly Pagan, “The Geatish hero put all his hope in his fearless might and the mercy of God!” (499-500). A quick Christian thought not action. Also, after the battle with Grendel's' Mom, Beowulf stood in the “...candles of heaven...” (1060), and “Had God not granted his sheltering strength...” (1130). It seems as though the Christian ideals are to overshadow the Pagan deeds. Almost as if Christian translators are down playing the Paganism. At the beginning of the epic, “To Hrothgar was granted glory in war success in battle, retainers bold obeyed him gladly; his band increased” (38-40). Hrothgar is apeerless hero who is respected and gains his Pagan immortality through the only way the Anglo-Saxon's believe in – through battle. Although not long after Christian beliefs are introduced with a short summary of the story of Cain, a biblical story, in which they compare Grendel. Again, the poem contradicts itself, “Fate swept them away into Grendel's Grip” (360). Fate – being a major Anglo-Saxon ideal, fate was for Grendel's grip, and was out of man's will. However, right before Beowulf defeats Grendel, “God may easily bring to an end the ruinous deed of the ravaging foe” (361-362). Taking away from Beowulf's Pagan heroism, and overall immortality.
An excellent illustration of Pagan action is during the battle scene between Beowulf and Grendel's Mom, “ So heavy no hand but his own could hold it, bear to battle or wield in war” (1050-1051). Beowulf finds this glorious sword that is a, “...warrior's joy...” (1049). It continues, “Then the Scylding warrior, savage and grim, seize the ring-hilt and swung the sword, struck with fury, despairing of life, thrust at the throat, broke through the bone-rings;” (1053-1055). The mere description shows the joy that Anglo-Saxon's enjoy and believe in so heavily, “The stout blade stabbed through her fated flash” (1057-1058). Fated flesh, a Pagan ideal that death is inescapable and in this case so was evil, “She sank in death; the sword was bloody; the hero joyed in the work of his hand. The gleaming radiance shimmered and shown...” (1057-1059). This beautiful summary of a true Pagan hero immediately ruined, “As the candle of heaven shines clear from the sky” (1060). A Christian ideal again almost inserted into this poem, as if it didn't belong there to begin with.
The overall “Concept of a Hero” stays, “...his hand-grip has thirty men's strength...” (87) A larger then life hero, with direct Pagan qualities trying to survive in a overly dominate Christian translation. Oral tradition, infused with Christian ideals tainting the original impact of Pagan ideals. Proving how this epic poem, Beowulf, does not clearly portray the Anglo-Saxon society; life is a struggle to be endured, evil and death are inescapable, and fame is the only true immortality.