chistianity vs paganism
...e plot that appealed to his audience precisely because they were attempting to reconcile their own beliefs. When Christian missionaries introduced their beliefs to the Anglo-Saxons, it was clear that the two could not coexist; therefore, they must abandon these ancient icons to hold a more monotheistic view. In Beowulf exists the quiet battle between the two, and several examples from the text support either side. The dramatic warrior culture, the religious ceremonies practiced, and the superhero image of Beowulf himself all point to a classic pagan society. Christianity offered to the Anglo-Saxon world the new certainty, to the Anglo-Saxon awareness that man is absolutely mortal it offered the hope of rebirth through Christ. Instead of the world of constant fights, war and violence it offered peace and harmony. And of course it offered Paradise. The warrior heroes are now substituted with a new hero -Christ. And while the pagan would understand the death of Beowulf as a victory of WYRD, the Christianity treats this theme as the necessary sacrifice for the wealth of one’ fellow men. In Beowulf monsters were created to challenge human power, to fight him and by being defeated to show the...