Beowulf as a Pagan Oral Tradition Essay - 1658 Words

The unknown author of Beowulf uses examples throughout the poem that suggest the story comes from an oral tradition. In the poem Beowulf, a Germanic scop, or bard, recites poetry orally, or in a song, usually telling stories about historical triumphs and adventures. These poets were referred to in this epic poem as carriers of tales..., traditional singer[s] deeply schooled in the lore[s] of the past (Beowulf 50). This was common in Germanic culture. Scops would keep folkloric heroes alive in the oral tradition. They passed down stories orally from one generation to the next. The Beowulf poet himself imagines such oral performances by having King Hrothgars court poet recite a heroic lay at a feast celebrating Beowulfs†¦show more content†¦In this example the unknown poet of Beowulf does not go into detail about the poets song, as he does in the others, but it is still an example that the oral tradition is alive in the text. Beowulf was obviously, in its origin, a pagan text. There are several examples of pagan elements throughout the story. The belief in wergild, a term meaning man-price, is one of the strongest of these ideas. It also incorporates the pagan ideas of fate, the fashion in which lords are buried, and symbols of paganism. The text is clearly one that tells a Germanic heroic narrative, which is not acceptable to the Judeo-Christian ideals. The belief in wergild is very similar to the idea of an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. If one[s] kinsmen had been slain, a man had a moral obligation either to kill the slayer or to exact the payment of wergild in compensation (Beowulf 30). It was also shameful to not take revenge or to exact compensation (Beowulf 30). This idea is exemplified throughout the entire text. Since no man price could be paid for Grendels slaying of Hrothgars people, Grendel had to be slain. So he overcame the foe, brought down the hell-brute. Broken and bowed, outcast from all sweetness, the enemy of mankind made for his death-den.Show MoreRelatedChristianity : The Rise Of Christianity1512 Words   |  7 PagesPaganism involved polytheistic beliefs with ritualistic tradition and animal sacrifice. This belief was common in the Anglo-Saxon tradition, which is from where the epic poem Beowulf is thought to have originated circa 550 AD. Due to the origins of Beowulf being surrounded by Pagan traditio n and culture and reliance on the method of oral recitation of the story, the poem holds Pagan influences. Examples of these influences include the monsters that Beowulf faces in the story, idol worship, and burning theRead MoreThe Importance Of Heroism In Beowulf1073 Words   |  5 PagesBeowulf is a classic, epic story which theme focuses on good versus evil, â€Å"Beowulf is essentially a heathen poem† (Bodek) said F.A Blackburn because it consists of elements drawn from Anglo-Saxons culture before they were converted to Christians. 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