Beowulf creates a melting pot of Christian and pagan beliefs, bringing to light the Anglo-Saxons conversion from barbarians to civilized people. However, critics are at an impasse on whether or not this is really true. Some critics are of the mind that Beowulf is a pagan work with insignificant Christian influence while others believe it is fundamentally Christian with only minimal pagan influence. Both sides have strong arguments, and they also have different views on how and when Beowulf was written
One of the greatest works of Anglo-Saxon literature to be passed down and translated is a poem about an epic hero, Beowulf, who conquers multiple monsters. The story of Beowulf is one that has been told throughout many generations. For hundreds of years Beowulf was only passed down orally and into the hands of the next generation. During this time, transformation of their society occurred. The Anglo-Saxons slowly left their pagan views behind and began accepting Christian beliefs. This transformation
More often than not, stories can be read as a representation of culture: a microcosm of cultural beliefs, traditions, and norms. Organize a comparative study between two of the major texts we’ve read (Beowulf, Othello, The Hobbit). Are the heroes portrayed in a similar manner? What are some notable differences in the hero’s development as culture has shifted? What can we infer about the cultures that produced these texts? You will be expected to refer to secondary sources for all historical information