Christian

= = =Why is Beowulf a Christian based story?=

=**Ninth Hour**= =Twelve= =The Goblet= > . = = = = =Beowulf's Death= = = =A Good Human Being= =Three= =Seed of Cain= **The Dragon** =Humility= = = =Beowulf's Ego= > because he knew his power. However rather than being conceited, he felt he was using it for good, and deserved to be respected. = Mead Hall = =Funeral= =Discrediting Paganism=
 * In the Bible the ninth hour is believed to be the hour Jesus Christ died on the cross. Also, there is a story in which the disciples fell asleep "abandoning" Jesus. This is portrayed through Beowulf by the Shieldings abandoning him during the ninth hour, leaving him with only one other man, as only one disciple stayed awake with Jesus.
 * “The ninth hour of the day arrived. The brave Shieldings abandoned the cliff-top and the king went home; but sick at heart, staring at the mere, the strangers held on.” (Pg 111)
 * Throughout Jesus' life of teaching, he was accompanied by his twelve disciples. Beowulf also was followed by twelve worthy-men throughout his battle with the dragon.
 * “The lord of the Geats took eleven comrades and went in rage to reconnoitre. By then he had discovered the cause of the affliction being visited on the people. The precious cup had come to him from the hand of the finder, the one who had started all this strife and was now added as a thirteenth to their number.” (Pg 163)
 * The goblet the Geats used represents the chalice used in Christianity. In the book, the goblet was given as a treasure and was highly valuable. In the Bible, the chalice, which is a goblet structure as well, was also very valuable because it was what held the blood of Jesus Christ as he offered it around the Last Supper.
 * When Jesus died on the cross, he sacrificed himself in order to save mankind from sin. The quote below shows how in the same sense Beowulf sacrificed himself, by attempting to protect the Geats. **In Paganism, almost every hero is immortal. Clearly, Beowulf dies, making him not in line with the classic Pagan hero.**
 * “The treasure had been won, bought and paid for by Beowulf’s death.” (Pg 191)
 * In the Bible, Jesus is emphasized as being a good Samaritan, helping all people regardless of their backgrounds or beliefs. Beowulf also acted as a good Samaritan, by helping the Danes without hesitation, and other countries that he was not a citizen of.
 * "When he heard about Grendel, Hygelac's thane was on home ground, over in Geatland. There was no one else like him alive. ... he was enlisting men, the best he could find; with fourteen others the warrior boarded the boat as captain." (Pg 17)
 * In the Bible, the number three is very significant. In Christianity, the Holy Trinity is in three parts: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. Jesus also died and rose from the dead in three days. In Beowulf, the number three also plays a huge part. Beowulf fought 3 demons, the dragon attacked 3 times, and the dragon protected treasure for 3 centuries.
 * In the Bible story of Cain and Abel, Cain murders Abel, his own brother. Cain developed a mark, and although exactly what it was is unknown, for centuries it has been told as some form of a birthmark, marking a person as evil and supporting the belief of a devil. Grendel supposedly the seed of Cain, classifying him as evil. **In the Pagan religion, the devil does not exist, furthermore classifying Beowulf as a Christian book.**
 * "Grendel was the name of this grim demon haunting the marches,...he had dwelt for a time in misery among the banished monsters, Cain's clan," (Pg 9)
 * The quote below occurs as Beowulf is battling the serpent. I n the bible story of Adam and Eve, a serpent convinced Adam to eat the forbidden apple. The Christian interpretation of this story symbolizes the serpent as evil, as the serpent was the last evil villain in Beowulf. Also in the bible, it is written that when Jesus died, he opened the gates of heaven. This also parallels Beowulf, in the way that when Beowulf died along the serpent, he destroyed evil.
 * “But what they saw first was far stranger: the serpent on the ground, gruesome, and vile, lying facing him. The fire-dragon was scaresomely burnt, scorched all colors. From head to tail, his entire length was fifty feet. He had shimmered forth on the night air once, then winged back down to his den: but death owned him now, he would never enter his earth-gallery again.” (Pg 205)
 * In the Bible it states "Don't give way to pride." Beowulf follows this mantra throughout the book. Beowulf always did what was in the best interest of his people, even though it meant constantly risking his life to keep the Geats safe. Jesus died on the cross to save everyone from their sins. Beowulf threw his life on the line repeatedly and ultimately died to keep his people safe.
 * Many times in the Bible, the quotes such as "I am a jealous God" "Fear me" "No false idols" are found, this parallels to Beowulf
 * Before Beowulf went to fight Grendel, he was honored with a glorious dinner in the Mead Hall. This dinner symbolizes the last supper, which was the last meal Jesus ate because he knew he would be crucified. Beowulf had his "last supper" at the mead hall, before he knowingly and willingly faced a bad situation in fighting Grendel.
 * In Christianity, funeral's are extremely important in the cycle of life. Every year, Christians celebrate good Friday, remembering Jesus's death. The quote below describes Beowulf's elaborate funeral and pyre he was honored with upon death, so he was always remembered.
 * "The Geat people built a pyre for Beowulf, stacked and decked it until it stood four-square, hung with helmets, heavy war-shield and shining armour...then his warriors laid him in the middle of it, mourning a lord far-famed and beloved." (Pg 211)
 * The Pagan religion believes everything in existence has a soul. However, the quote below helps to prove this statement false, which furthers the point that Beowulf is a Christian Hero. Due to the fact the sword melts, it is clear that it does not possess a soul.
 * "Meanwhile, the sword began to wilt into gory icicles, to slather and thaw." (Pg 111)
 * Pagans are polytheistic, meaning they believe in more than one god. Throughout the poem, there is never any mention of multiple gods; only one god is addressed.
 * Fate is a huge belief in Paganism. However, Beowulf himself, states that God will determine his fate, which helps to further the fact Beowulf is not a Pagan hero.
 * In Christianity, Jesus Christ performs many unexplainable miracles, just as Beowulf has the baffling strength of 30 men. Therefore, the strength of Beowulf is like the miracles Jesus performed, meaning his strength is not an example of Paganism.


 * To further stress the idea that Beowulf fits as a Christian, we found a psalm in the Bible that, when replacing several minor but extremely powerful words such as temple, God, and Lord, fits Beowulf's story. The bolded words and phrases are what have been changed from the original passage. **

=PSALM 18= I love you **Beowulf**, my strength. My leader, my rock in whom I take refuge. My sheild, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon thus **Beowulf**, who is worthy to be praised; so I shall be saved from my enemies.
 * Son of Ecgtheow** is my rock, my protector and my deliverer.

The cords of death encompassed me; the **wrath of Grendel** assailed me; the cords of his **mother** entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.

In my distress I called upon **Beowulf**; to my king I cried for help. From his throne he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.

Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked as the **dragon approached**. Smoke went up from its nostrils, and devouring fire from his mouth, glowing coals flamed forth from him.
 * Angered by the theft, he sought revenge on my peoples.**

Out of the brightness he arose forth. My leader, **Beowulf**, my protection. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from those who hated me; for they were too mighty for me. he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
 * Beowulf was my support**, he brought me out into a broad place;