Chrstianity Influences in Beowulf

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Christian Influences in Beowulf The epic poem “Beowulf” is a story of an ambitious hero named Beowulf. In the story of “Beowulf” there are many Christian influences that are in the text. Beowulf himself has no set religion throughout this story but many Christian values find their way into the poem. This epic allows the reader to recognize and view the religious and symbolic references their own way. The Christian influences that stood out within this story were self-sacrifice for the good of others, loyalty, and also the sympathy for those less fortunate. An example of Christianity found within “Beowulf” is how Beowulf relates to Jesus. Beowulf demonstrates that he is willing to sacrifice his own life for the well being of others. When Beowulf fought Grendel, and Grendel’s mother he put his own life on the line for the sake of the Danes. This is similar to Jesus’ crucifixion, in which he gave up his life in order to save mankind. So Beowulf risking his life for the Danes is a direct comparison with Jesus sacrificing himself for all of mankind. The Christian value of self-sacrifice is a very important to the religion because without it Christianity would not have existed. Another Christian value that was quite evident throughout the story was the value of loyalty. When Beowulf traveled into the dragon’s lair to fight the beast he took a group of soldiers with him who he thought would be helpful. When the fight between Beowulf and the dragon turned bad all of the warriors except a young soldier by the name of Wiglaf left him to die. Even though Wiglaf was scared he stayed loyal to his king until the very end. Wiglaf showed his loyalty when he said, “I remember how we sat in the mead-hall, drinking and boasting of how brave we’d be when Beowulf needed us, he who gave us these swords and armor: all of us swore to repay him, when the time came, kindness

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