FREE ESSAY ON ARRAY OF LIGHT

ARRAY OF LIGHT

At first glance, Beowulf appears to be an epic exclusively about Christian values, and how
it influenced the Anglo-Saxons of this time. Moreover, a tale about how Christian
principles always defeat the forces of evil, and how all thanes and kings are saintly.
However, as the book further develops, it becomes more apparent that this epic
intertwines the ideals of both paganism and Christianity. Although the Beowulf poet makes
many Christian references in the book through his extensive knowledge of the Bible, the
main points he uses to explain the Anglo-Saxon society is through the principles of pagan
religion. Such abundant references to material rewards, earthly fame, wyrd, and wergild
prove that he is pagan. 
Fame, glamour, and material rewards entice men time after time in this epic, as their
actions are based on their motives for personal gain. However, these concepts of personal
gain and material rewards do not coincide with Christian principles. Christianity places
an emphasis on benevolence and generosity, rather than greed, which we see in the tale of
the man who stole the cup from the dragon. "A man stumbled on the entrance, went in,
discovered the ancient treasure, the pagan jewels and gold...a runaway slave stole a
jeweled cup and bought his master's forgiveness"(92,93). There are two details in this
quote that demonstrate the philosophy of paganism. First, is the reference to "pagan"
treasure, which implies that Anglo-Saxons are the owners of these treasures, hence they
are pagan. Since the Beowulf poet lived during in this period, he in essence is also
pagan. Second, the stealing of the "jeweled" cup from the hoard only highlights the
insignificance and greed of a society that places such a high premium on material wealth.

Not only are material rewards and earthly fame displayed through humble slaves, but also
through our hero, Beowulf. Although it appears that Beowulf fights to protect the
innocence of others, there is a more obscure reason that lies underneath. It is Beowulf's
eagerness for material rewards and earthly fame that leads him to protect others. This
can be seen when Hrothgar tells Beowulf that he will be rewarded very lavishly if he
defeats Grendel. "No one strange to this land has ever been granted what I've given you,
no one in all the years of my rule. Purge Herot and your ship will sail home with its
treasure-holds full"(43). Hrothgar gives incentive by enticing Beowulf's greed, and
Beowulf accepts the offer, knowing that he will claim a great fortune if he wins.
Wealthow and Hrothgar constantly give gold and other fine jewels to Beowulf, whether it
would be for winning great battles or as little as giving praise to their sons. The
emphasis on objects is connected to the pagan world, where objects are like idols which
symbolize fame and wealth.
Besides glory, fame, and fortune, was another big part of Anglo-Saxon culture. This 
idea is known as wyrd, the Anglo-Saxon concept of faith. All religions believe that fate
plays a role in everyday lives. Christians don't believe in a pre-determined life, rather
they believe that the actions you make during this life will affect your afterlife.
However, pagans believe that although your social rank is predestined, worshiping pagan
idols can change the outcome of the events in your life on earth. This can be seen when
Hrothgar and his counselors make useless attempts to appease Grendel. They can't offer
him gold or land, as they might an ordinary enemy because such material possessions are
useless to him. Like most people in a time of crisis they slip back into old ways of
thinking. "And wondering what the bravest warriors could do. And sometimes they
sacrificed to the old stone gods, made heathen vows, hoping for Hell's support" (28).
Instead of praying to God for support, they sacrifice to the stone idols of their pagan
past. Though enlightened by Christianity, the poet is saying, pagan rituals were still
very much a part of these people's lives.
With the implication that the Anglo-Saxons had little trust in the Christian faith and in
the power of God, we can see the lack of these two items in Beowulf as well. Beowulf's
descriptions of his adventures contain almost no mention of God's help. His remarks at
the end of his description of the battle with Grendel's mother that I had barely escaped
with my life, my death was not written (89), indicate his concerns with fate. Without the
mentioning of God, the Beowulf poet hints at of some other powerful force that can alter
man's fate. This shows that even the great hero is not very confident in God and the
Christian religion, and must turn back to the pagan religion.
Despite the major significance of fate and fortune, lies one of the biggest aspects of
this epic. Wergild, the concept of revenge, indicates that the role of paganism outweigh
the values of Christianity. Christian beliefs tend to promote peace, the oneness of
humanity, and helping those who are in need. Yet, the virtues of courage in war and the
acceptance of feuds between men and countries as a fact of life come from the pagan
tradition. There is a multitude of examples of wergild, violence, and constant feuds like
the digression of Finn. "Hengest lived the whole stormy winter through, there with Finn
whom he hated. But his heart lived in Denmark-and Hengest dreamed of his home-but revenge
came first, settling his bitter feud with Finn, whose bloody sword he could never
forget... the time had come, and Hengest rose, and drove his new sword into Finn's belly,
butchering that king"(58, 59). Plotting schemes, bloodshed, and feuds are clearly evident
in this passage. However, it mainly displays how important revenge was to the
Anglo-Saxons of this time, and that it was the concept of wergild, by which they lived
and died. 
The Beowulf poet portrays the Anglo-Saxon culture by separating their main ideals like a
prism does with light. No matter which end of the spectrum you are looking from, all the
ideas prove that pagan ideals and principles prevail over the values of Christianity. It
is shown on countless occasions through the material rewards, earthly fame, wergild, and
wyrd amongst every social class (slaves, thanes, and kings). In the end, the separated
lights in the prism come together and become one. This array of light for the Beowulf
poet is ultimately his beliefs and concepts in the pagan religion.