Beowulf 17

Beowulf dates back to around the eighth century, during which Christianity was not a prevalent religion. As Magill states, whether the Christian elements are intrinsic or are interpolations by a tenth century monastic scribe is controversial. However, it remains obvious that the poem along with the society is full of Christian sentiments. The reader does not have to read far before he comes across the first reference made to God. It is in the prologue …showed first 75 words of 533 total…

…showed last 75 words of 533 total…with the protective metal (71, ll. 1554-1555). Although religion is by no means an overriding theme in Beowulf its aspects are recurrent and difficult to ignore. The epic depicts the accomplished men as having good, religious morals and practicing them in their daily lives. The controversy of whether the religious aspect was indeed interpolated into the text is a valid argument. However, in either case the fact remains that Christian sentiment is present in the poem.