Great Britain has thousands of years of history. The first known inhabitants were the ancient Celts. Although they did not have a written language much is known about their culture. Celtic society had several classes which included, aristocrats; common people; and an educated class of lawyers, poets and priests. Most of the Celts lived in small rural settlements, raising crops and livestock. Tradition says that in 449 A.D. the first band of people from the great North German plain crossed the North Sea to Britain. These were the Jutes; the first of many Germanic invaders. After the Jutes came the Anglo-Saxons. Even though the Celts were no match for the invaders, they put up a fight. “The legendary King Authur may have been the leader of the Celtic people who were driven into Wales. The Anglo-Saxons had a written language; the first known manuscript in their language is Beowulf. Beowulf is a good illustration of the mixing of long held Pagan beliefs and traditions with the new Christian faith.
The Anglo-Saxons were a more war-like tribe than the Celts, but their society was still well developed, “branching out from family to clan and tribe then to their kingdom.” The Anglo-Saxons had great loyalty towards their chosen leaders. “They also liked to hold meetings where people could openly express what they thought and felt.” Besides tremendous loyalty to their leaders, the Anglo-Saxons also had an Heroic Idea. They admired, “men of outstanding courage and strength.” Beowulf fills this outline of the Heroic Idea quite well because he was extremely strong and courageous. The Anglo-Saxons felt that, “Loyalty to the leaders and the tribe,… as well as fierce personal valor were necessary for the survival of all.” “The ruler was to be generous to those who were loyal, therefore the followers in return would remain loyal.” An example of this is illustrated in Beowulf when Hrothgar has a mead hall built , called Herot Hall, to reward his people. The Anglo-Saxons also had an acceptance of death. Their attitude towards death was not to fear death but rather that it is going to happen to everyone. This acceptance was because, “Everyone was aware of the shortness of life and the passing away of all things in the world.” The poet of Beowulf illustrates this lack of fear of death, when Beowulf says, “So shall a man do when he aims to win lasting praise in battle—he does not worry about his life”.(page26 the structure of Beowulf)Besides great loyalty and acceptance of death, the Anglo-Saxons also “had vigorous minds.” “Learning in England was so admired on the continent that it was natural for European rulers to send to England for teachers.” Parts of Anglo-Saxon civilization remains in our lives today. For example, some of the week day names. “Tuesday comes from Tiw, god of war; Wensday from Waden, the chief Teutonic god; Thursday from Thor, god of thunder; and Friday comes from Frigga, goddess of the home. Besides days of the week, “many basic American traditions in law, conduct, outlook, language, and literature” come from the Anglo-Saxons.
The Research paper on Anglo Saxon Beowulf Women Worth
Anglo-Saxon Culture And Beowulf Anglo-Saxon Culture And Beowulf Essay, Research Paper It is commonly accepted that the Beowulf epic was from the Anglo-Saxon period. It is ... out of war that a peaceful king was the greatest wealth. Beowulf? s people recognized this and that is why they buried his ... time. It was strongly encouraged that instead of avenging the death of your kin by killing the one who had ...
Since there are some references to Christian beliefs in the Epic Poem Beowulf, the question has arose, from where did this Christian influence come? The Christian influence came to Britain in 314 a.d. by a bishop of London who attended the church council at Arles in France. Saint Augustine came in 597 A.D. established a monastery at Canterbury and became the first Archbishop as well as the most famous. The archbishops of Canterbury were called “Primates” of England, or the highest ecclesiastical authority. The conversion of the Anglo-Saxon tribes took place about 600 a.d. and the ruler at the time was Ethelbert. The importance of this is that some of these Christian beliefs show up in Beowulf. In 664 there was a synod at Whitby Abbey, a famous monastery for men and women. The importance of this synod is that it united the English church with Roman Christianity. This church then began to draw the island kingdoms together and encourage ties.
The Essay on Beowulf Christian And Pagan
In the heroic epic Beowulf, there are various examples of religious beliefs, both Christian and pagan. These examples play a major role in the tale, and include things such as God's love (Christian) and making sacrifices to several gods (pagan). Explanations of these beliefs are necessary to understand this epic and here six of these beliefs will be discussed, three Christian and three pagan. One ...
There is evidence in the poem Beowulf, of Christian and Pagan beliefs. One example of these Pagan beliefs is the stance taken about revenge. In Christian teaching, it is better to turn the other cheek and forgive, rather than seek revenge. In Beowulf, there is a whole different approach to revenge. If your friend was killed there would be no turning the other cheek, revenge would be sought after. This can be illustrated by Beowulf’s best known saying, “Better a man should avenge his friend than mourn much”. Another example of Pagan beliefs is how Beowulf finds such great delight in material rewards, treasures and the like. Again this goes against what I think a Christian hero to be. When Beowulf fights his last battle against the dragon and is mortally wounded, his “last thoughts were of the treasure he had won, that will keep his memory alive among man and his ancestors”. I on the other had would be reminiscing over my life reviewing, how I lived my life and where I was headed to next after I died. Beowulf was not alarmed with the fact he was dying but concerned with keeping his memory alive.
Mixed in the Epic Poem Beowulf, there are references to Christian beliefs. In the poem, when it is being explained where Grendal came from, Grendal is referenced as a “hellish enemy”. The Poem also says, God condemned them as kin of Cain. This shows that the person who wrote this poem had at least some Christian teaching since he referred Grendal to kin of Cain, who is a person from the Bible. Beowulf illustrates Christian beliefs himself in the poem. He acts like a savior much like Jesus did. An example of this is when Beowulf comes to save Hrothgar and his people from the hellish creature Grendal. This illustrates the idea of a Christian hero, although Beowulf was helping Hrothgar to add to his fame. Another way Beowulf acts like a savior is when he does battle with the dragon. He is old by the time he goes to save his people from a posed threat one last time. The outcome of the battle is that Beowulf is killed, but he does save his people from the dragon. Beowulf died in the way Jesus is said to have died on the cross in order to save us all.{page 72 the structure of Beowulf}
The Essay on Beowulf Link Between Traditions Pagan And Christian
Beowulf: Link Between Traditions - Pagan and Christian " Beowulf' is a link between two traditions, Pagan and the Christian. The virtues of courage in war and the acceptance of feuds between men and countries as a fact of life stem from the older Pagan tradition. On the other hand Christianity's moralities are based meekness and poverty. 'Beowulf' brings this two convictions together through the ...
The Anglo-Saxons were a very war like tribe who drive back the Celts to obtain what they wanted. They had a well developed culture as well though. They had a written language and had a passion for fine objects like bracelets and brooches. They also had a great influence on English Literature. Their first known manuscript was Beowulf which had evidence of long standing Pagan beliefs and new forming Christian religion. Beowulf illustrates these different Pagan and Christian beliefs throughout the story whether by his attitude towards revenge, by his love for material possessions or even by the way he plays the savior throughout the book. Beowulf was not alone in illustrating the Christian belief in the Poem. Grendal shows that the writer of the poem had knowledge of Christianity. The Anglo-Saxon tribes were basically a brave and courageous, as well as intelligent people.
