Paganism is a form of religion to whom the followers believe in many different gods and goddesses. Some of them even worship creatures or animals and even the nature. All their beliefs are in contrast against Christianity which is a religion where there is only one supreme God and the Creator of all things.
When it comes to the Beowulf story, most of the background events portrayed people who were pagans. It was the main reason why they can’t stop the evil monster Grendel from attacking their land, “Spare Dane”. Until, one brave Christian warrior guided by God came to their aid. And, he was no other than Beowulf.
Grendel could be a “Nephilim” which perfectly fit the characteristics of these giant beings described in the verse of Genesis. Nephilims were giant disfigured human beings similar to Grendel and they were man-eaters. Although, these Nephilims were the sons of the “Fallen Angels” while Grendel according to the old poem was the descendant of “Cain”.
Who is Cain?
Cain has a brother named, “Abel”. With jealousy to his brother, Cain murdered Abel and even lied to God about his crime. So he was punished where he became a “fugitive and wanderer”.
Although, Grendel’s mother offers a lot of mysteries that many scholars are even clueless especially about her true physical appearance. Her name can’t even be found or revealed on the entire original script. In my own personal opinion, she could be “Lilith” – the first women created by God before “Eve”.
Going back to Grendel, the story illustrated this monster as brutally ruthless who enjoyed killing people for fun and even fed on their flesh. It shows violence, murder and cannibalism which are all pagan practices.
When he got slain by Beowulf, his mother sworn “revenge” which is another common practice by the pagans. The same thing goes to the dragon who had so much hatred towards the “Geats” where it laid waste to their entire kingdom.
The story of Beowulf probably began at the time when Christianity was first being introduced to Hearot’s pagan society. Instead of a prophet or messenger, God sent them a brave adventurer who influenced the entire kingdom.
In the Beowulf 2007 animated movie, it is a film where paganism is a lot more portrayed. Beowulf didn’t give any credits to the Christian God when he fought and slain the sea creatures, Grendel and the dragon. Instead, he shouts his name Beowulf which is a display of pride and selfishness.
Although somewhere near the end of the movie right when he confronted the “Frisian Leader”, he mentioned “the gods” were always protecting him. The gods is plural where he was probably referring to the pagan gods.
In the original Beowulf manuscript, Beowulf was a man who has a strong faith with the Christian God. He even has the habit of acknowledging God as his protector for being able to overcome the impossible odds.
The hero could have actually been defeated when he fought Grendel’s mother. He just got lucky that there was an ancient sword hanging on the wall in which he grabbed and used it against his foe and won the battle. But to Beowulf, this was no mere luck but God was the one who provided that sword for him to use.
Moreover, the Boewulf poem seems to have been derived from the first book of the Bible Genesis. If you are just going to conduct a further research and study comparing the two, you will figure out some similarities but only described in a much far different manner.
When it comes to the Beowulf story, most of the background events portrayed people who were pagans. It was the main reason why they can’t stop the evil monster Grendel from attacking their land, “Spare Dane”. Until, one brave Christian warrior guided by God came to their aid. And, he was no other than Beowulf.
Grendel from the Christian Bible
Grendel could be a “Nephilim” which perfectly fit the characteristics of these giant beings described in the verse of Genesis. Nephilims were giant disfigured human beings similar to Grendel and they were man-eaters. Although, these Nephilims were the sons of the “Fallen Angels” while Grendel according to the old poem was the descendant of “Cain”.
Who is Cain?
Cain has a brother named, “Abel”. With jealousy to his brother, Cain murdered Abel and even lied to God about his crime. So he was punished where he became a “fugitive and wanderer”.
Although, Grendel’s mother offers a lot of mysteries that many scholars are even clueless especially about her true physical appearance. Her name can’t even be found or revealed on the entire original script. In my own personal opinion, she could be “Lilith” – the first women created by God before “Eve”.
Going back to Grendel, the story illustrated this monster as brutally ruthless who enjoyed killing people for fun and even fed on their flesh. It shows violence, murder and cannibalism which are all pagan practices.
When he got slain by Beowulf, his mother sworn “revenge” which is another common practice by the pagans. The same thing goes to the dragon who had so much hatred towards the “Geats” where it laid waste to their entire kingdom.
A Pagan Society
The story of Beowulf probably began at the time when Christianity was first being introduced to Hearot’s pagan society. Instead of a prophet or messenger, God sent them a brave adventurer who influenced the entire kingdom.
In the Beowulf 2007 animated movie, it is a film where paganism is a lot more portrayed. Beowulf didn’t give any credits to the Christian God when he fought and slain the sea creatures, Grendel and the dragon. Instead, he shouts his name Beowulf which is a display of pride and selfishness.
Although somewhere near the end of the movie right when he confronted the “Frisian Leader”, he mentioned “the gods” were always protecting him. The gods is plural where he was probably referring to the pagan gods.
Christian God in the Original Poem
In the original Beowulf manuscript, Beowulf was a man who has a strong faith with the Christian God. He even has the habit of acknowledging God as his protector for being able to overcome the impossible odds.
The hero could have actually been defeated when he fought Grendel’s mother. He just got lucky that there was an ancient sword hanging on the wall in which he grabbed and used it against his foe and won the battle. But to Beowulf, this was no mere luck but God was the one who provided that sword for him to use.
Moreover, the Boewulf poem seems to have been derived from the first book of the Bible Genesis. If you are just going to conduct a further research and study comparing the two, you will figure out some similarities but only described in a much far different manner.
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