Proving+Paganism



· Fate, a pagan subject, plays an important role in this epic poem. Beowulf plays off almost any situation with fate, talking about the inevitability of death in such a nonchalant manner. He simply accepts that death will come when it is meant to occur, which is decided solely on fate and nothing else such as strength or human factors. o “… that final day was the first time when Beowulf fought and fate denied him glory in battle.” Poet, p 173, line 2574. o “You are the last of us, the only one left of the Waegmundings. Fate swept us away, sent my whole brave high-born clan to their final doom. Now we must follow them.” Beowulf, p189, line 2813 · Beowulf references fate and seems to rely on it throughout his struggles and adventures. o “Say a man not marked by fate/ easily escape exile and woe/ by the grace of God.” Beowulf, p 155, line 2291. o “And the Geat placed complete trust in his strength…” Poet, p 45, line 669. · He also accepts any outcomes that occur, no matter what they may be, simply because he believes that fate is the reason behind almost everything and nothing can change that. o “I won’t shift a foot when I meet the cave-guard: what occurs on the wall between the two of us will turn out as fate, overseer of men decides.” Beowulf, p171, line 2524. o “Fate goes ever as fate must.” Beowulf, p 31, line 455 o “…how could they know fate, the grim shape of things to come, the threat looming over many thanes as night approached…” Poet, p 87, line 1233
 * __ Fate __**

- “When wind blows up and stormy weather makes clouds scud and the skies weep…” (Line 1374) o The quote explains how the behavior of the sea acts as an omen to represent danger coming and how it will continue if the source is not dealt with by Beowulf. This is relevant to paganism because the pagan belief follows the importance of omens from nature to foretell the circumstances of future events.
 * Omens in Nature**

- In line 1389 Beowulf talks about how he sees nothing more rewarding than the treasures that result in glory. In Paganism, there is a strong belief in one to attain glory and honor before death through victory after hardship, and after that victory to amass treasure and gifts
 * Glory before Death**

**Pagan Worship/Practices**
-  When Grendel first begins to wreak havoc on Heorot; Hrothgar and his subjects explicitly look to pagan gods for relief. They make offerings to these idols and pray to them. This is important because there is no mention of a Christian god and the Danes are obviously practice a polytheistic religion. Pg. 13 “Sometimes at pagan shrines they vowed offerings to idols they vowed offerings to idols, swore oaths that the killer of souls might come to their aid and save the people.” -  Throughout the epic poem there are references to characters being cremated on pyres. After Beowulf’s fight with Grendel, a minstrel tells the story of Hnaef. The Danish king is killed in battle and hoisted onto an elaborate funeral pyre. One of Beowulf’s last requests is that he be cremated on a pyre adorned with riches. The practice of cremating people on funeral pyres is unique to pagan religions. (Hindus & Sikhs also practice this) Pg. 77 “The pyre was heaped with boar-shaped helmets forged in gold, eith the gashed corpses of well-borne Danes.” Pg. 190 “Order my troop to construct a barrow on a headland the headland coast, after my pyre has cooled.” -  There’s also an underlying belief that the dead will be able to take their material possessions with them to the next world. Beowulf is buried with and sent off with his booty. This can be compared to the Egyptians burying their dead with worldly possessions to gain passage to the next life. Pg. 203 “We must hurry now to take a last look at the king and launch him, lord and lavisher of rings, on the funeral road. His royal pyre will melt no small amount of gold: heaped there in a hoard, it was bought at a heavy cost…” -  //Beowulf// is filled with battles and stories of ancient feuds. Beowulf exemplifies this vindictive quality when he gives his background to Hrothgar’s people. Later on in the book Beowulf even worries about the consequences of a marriage between two rival tribes. The notion of revenge is heavily prevalent in the book. This contrasts with the idea of “turning the other cheek” and “loving thy neighbor”. Beowulf and his people can almost be barbaric in their quests to hurt those who have wronged them. Pg.29 “I have suffered extremes and avenged the Geats (their enemies brought it upon themselves, I devastated them).” Pg. 141 “ Think how the Heathobards will be bound to feel..[when] Danes are at their table..[in] burnished ring-mail that was their host’ birthright..”