An Analysis of the Pagan and Christian Elements in Beowulf
Presentation Type
Textual Analysis
Release Option
Metadata Only
Description
Beowulf is an epic poem that was originally written in Old English and contains a large number of seemingly contradictory references to both Christianity and paganism. This presentation is based off of my paper entitled “An Analysis of the Christian and Pagan Elements in Beowulf” in which I address several of the most important instances of either religion and posit that the inclusion of both religions in the text is representative of the changing religious beliefs at the time. I support this claim through close reading of the poem and extensive secondary research. Historically, critics have accepted the idea that Beowulf was a poem that circulated orally until being written down by a Christian monk who added references to Christianity. However, I use the ideas of Karl Reich to assert the possibility that Beowulf was reproduced multiple times, both orally and in written form, and that it started as a mostly pagan narrative that was adjusted to include aspects of Christianity as the prevailing religion of the area changed. Beowulf himself is characterized as ascribing to both Christian and pagan beliefs, indicating that this poem acts as a transitional work between the two eras of thinking.
Faculty Mentor
Carol Jamison
Department of Primary Presenter's Major
Other
Symposium Year
2024
An Analysis of the Pagan and Christian Elements in Beowulf
