Christianity in Beowulf Beowulf is set between the years 480 and 520 AD, however it is not actually written until 1000 AD This is a conflict because the poet is Christian, but the characters are part of a non-Christian belief system. By having a Christian poet, non-Christian characters, and including Christian themes, a gap is being created between the current spread of Christianity and religions of the past. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Perhaps one of the most important ways the poet manages to establish a relationship between the current times (around 1000 AD) and the earlier times (480-520 AD) is by having a God-like narrator. One thing that the speaker does throughout the poem is to describe how Beowulf will meet his fate. For example, “In his bosom lay / Many treasures, which must travel, / With him far, to guard the flood” (Beowulf 40-42). This makes the narrator God-like in the sense that he is able to tell the reader what will happen in the future. The omniscient point of view with which the narrator sheds light on Christianity subtly without preaching. Another way the poet establishes a Christian presence in the text connects Grendel to Cain, a character from the Bible. In Grendel's introduction, he is shown as a “grim spirit” descended from Cain and outlawed by the “Creator” (Beowulf 106-107). By acknowledging the Bible, the author connects characters, such as Grendel, and presumably Grendel's mother, to the Christian faith. Furthermore, by comparing Grendel to Cain, the poet indirectly suggests that Beowulf is a figure of Christian hope. Finally, after Beowulf returns victorious from whatever journey he has completed, such as defeating Grendel's mother, the glory is given to God. After defeating Grendel's mother, the speaker says, "the holy God/ has brought victory in war: the wise Lord, / Ruler of the heavens, hath rightly decided it, / easily, once he arose" (Beowulf 1553-1556). This is significant because it suggests that Beowulf's power comes from the Christian god. By praising God for Beowulf's victories, the author is inserting his Christian ideals into an otherwise non-Christian text. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Being a God-fearing character, defeating Grendel and thanking God for his victories, Beowulf himself displays the characteristics of a man deeply rooted in the Christian faith, however Christianity was not prevalent at the time this was set. In conclusion, in Beowulf, the author combines his Christian faith with characters and stories of non-Christian beliefs to diversify and shed light on Christianity.