?Beowulf and AngloThe epic poem is infused with both Pagan and Christian religious references (Padgett-Hamilton, 1946). Beowulf is a brave warrior, but is also willing to lay down his life for others; he is an enlightened being. The poem is believed to have been written by a poet with strong Christian values; the Pagan prayers for intervention are depicted as a move of desperation. (Greenblatt, Abrams, et al, 2006). In the following paragraphs, I will explore Christian and Pagan values contained in the poem and reference depictions of good and evil.An important reference to Paganism occurs during lines 175 to 180. Notably written from a Christian point of view, Paganism is viewed as tantamount to devil worship, aligned with evil forces. at pagan shrines they vowed / offerings to idols, swore oaths / that the killer of souls might come to their aid (Heaney, lines 175-177). Beowulf himself, although of good moral character and forward thinking, is depicted as a Pagan (Greenblatt, et al., 2006).While the Christian God is universally known to have given man free will, Beowulf believed in destiny. When talking about his battle with the ocean creature in lines at the feast at Heorot, he states, for undaunted courage, fate spares the man it has not already marked (Heaney, lines 572-573). In a much later passage, fate is mentioned in Beowulf battle with the dragon. In reference to his battle with the dragon the poem states, final day was the first time / when Beowulf fought and fate denied him / glory in battle, (Heaney, lines 2573-2575).Although not many of the Christian references are literal, Grendel is referred to as a descendent of Cain, the Christian figure who killed his brother Abel. clan, whom the Creator had outlawed and condemned as outcasts. For the killing of Abel the Eternal Lord had exacted a price (Heaney, lines 106-108). Grendel, a demon, existed because of Cain sin against his brother. Warfare between the side of the Christian God and the fallen is personified in Beowulf and Grendel (Padgett-Hamilton, 1946).Grendel mother sought revenge for his death. In Christianity, God forbids people to avenge wrongs. is mine, I will repay, says the Lord (Romans 12:19, New International Version). Grendel mother is clearly on the side of evil. Grendel mother seems to reside in the Christian
