Is Beowulf an ideal hero and king? Is there anything lacking in his character?

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Beowulf

Beowulf is an epic poem which dates back to 1000 A .D . The poem derives much of its theme from Paganism and was orally passed from generation to generation until written down in Old English as a manuscript . Although unknown , the author and transcriber most likely held the position of a holy man or monk , because lay men had little education and most people could not read or write excluding of course the clergy

Being a poem that is rooted

in pagan folklore religious beliefs of the character 's in Beowulf seem to clash with Christian faith , as well as references to Biblical scripture , are incorporated within the pagan tale , as Britain at the time of this writing was also faced with tribes against organized religion Christianity , a monotheist religion , is the extreme opposite of Paganism . The two religions differ so much that the beliefs , as well as the customs followed by most Pagan religions , directly break firm commandments and rules set in Christianity . Since Beowulf originated as a pagan poem , it then makes sense that the introductory of Christian elements to the poem occurred later , possibly at the time of its first transcription presumably by a Christian monk The pagan qualities in the poem present Beowulf as a super-hero , which was a common theme among the tribes of Britain , the endorsement of superhuman qualities to an ordinary man due to some intervention by a divine design . When it comes to saving the Danes from Grendel , Beowulf believes he can fight the evil creature with his strength and battle skills . Before his battle with Grendel , the warrior calls upon the one true God , `And may the Divine Lord in His wisdom grant the glory of victory to whichever side He sees fit (685-687 ) to help him in his battle , which contradicts the first impression of Beowulf believing he can defeat Grendel with his super strength . Thus , the poem is referring to the change in religion from paganism to a the wide spreading monotheism of Christianity . It is then through the one true God that Beowulf is able to defeat his enemies . The importance of this quote through a largely pagan story is significant to the changing landscape of Britain . The tribes at the time were trying hard to stay firm in their belief structure in polytheism , and nature worship including druids . However , this story tells the tale of these two religions being welded into one , but in the change that is occurring throughout Britain when the poem is finally transcribed the Christian elements of the story are brought to the forefront and dominant the theme of Beowulf Throughout Beowulf and Grendel 's fight it is Beowulf 's strength that conquers and kills the enemy which is supposed to be symbolic of Beowulf having called upon the strength of the one true God to defeat his enemies , thus his strength is coming from a divine source as is common in paganism , but...