What is a a Chrisian Hero and what is a tradtional Germanic hero in Beowulf?

Question

Anglo Saxon heroes vs. Christian heroes

Answer 1

"Beowulf" is a epic classic that demonstrates Germanic heroism concepts of the 6th century that includes the following traits: loyalty to one's king, loyalty to one Witan (counsel of elders), loyalty to one's comrades or fellow shoulders, and a willingness to defend one's king, kin, and shoulder comrades (fellow thanes) defending all parties to one's death. At all costs, the hero must display bravery in battle. Feats of valor were rewarded with warrior prizes. Kings displayed generosity, respect, and esteem through gifts of fine swords, gold helmets, and expensive weapon, rewarding "kraft" or skill, power or energy through tangible display of gifts. These gifts marked the honor bestowed on worthy heroes via the Potlach of weaponry, jeweled swords, and honors that were sources of malicious envy, and rancor if one sat at the mead hall next to a drunken soldier that imprudently and proudly showed off his Kraft or warrior's skill with his battle talents because the former king rewarded his thane with the very sword from a corpse, from the enemy's blood relative's kin. This dead thane was killed in a battle where no amount of blood-compensation could erase the wrath that would explode into another feud.. (Dr. Nicole Dizcenza's "Kraft", University of South Florida's lecture notes in 2005 (graduate school) English. Death filled the Mead Hall. Grendel symbolized this violence or diabolic evil, as Christian critic depicted vices of sloth, deadly fits of drunken rage, hubris, cowardice of a retreating band of thanes that lacked the loyalty to defend a frail king, and the overly proud old Beowulf dies because the posse retreats, so the king, the kingdom, and the kin die.

Answer 2

To help you explore what distinguishes a Christian hero from a traditional Germanic hero in Beowulf, here’s a breakdown of key ideas to guide you to the answer. I’ve included questions for each part and passages you can examine to deepen your understanding.

1. Understanding the Traits of a Traditional Germanic Hero in Beowulf

1. Germanic Hero Traits: Germanic heroes, like Beowulf, are defined by loyalty, bravery, and honor in battle. They’re expected to be loyal to their king, kin, and comrades, even at the cost of their own lives. Feats of strength and personal valor are their defining attributes, and in return, kings reward them with valuable gifts (weapons, armor, etc.).
2. Guiding Question: How do Beowulf’s acts of bravery, loyalty, and desire for fame in battle reflect Germanic heroism? Look for passages that showcase Beowulf’s courage, devotion to his king, and his expectations of honor and rewards.
3. Suggested Passage: Check out the early parts of the poem, where Beowulf travels to help Hrothgar with no promise of reward—demonstrating his loyalty to the king and his people.

2. Understanding the Traits of a Christian Hero

1. Christian Hero Traits: A Christian hero is characterized by humility, self-sacrifice, and faith in God over personal glory. A Christian hero fights for the greater good, often showing a willingness to sacrifice without expecting worldly rewards. Instead of seeking fame, they act out of a desire to protect the innocent and uphold righteousness.
2. Guiding Question: How would a Christian hero’s motivations differ from Beowulf’s? Would a Christian hero seek earthly rewards and recognition, or focus on spiritual ideals and humility?
3. Suggested Passage: Look at Beowulf’s final battle with the dragon, where his willingness to sacrifice himself for his people could be seen as an act of self-sacrifice—a Christian ideal—even though he still seeks honor through bravery.

3. Comparison in Beowulf: How Beowulf Embodies Both Types of Heroism

1. Dual Heroism: Beowulf shows traits of both a Germanic hero and a Christian hero. His loyalty, bravery, and desire for fame align with Germanic heroism, but his willingness to sacrifice himself for his people and confront evil also suggests Christian ideals.
2. Guiding Question: How does Beowulf blend both Germanic and Christian heroism? What parts of his character seem more influenced by Christian values? Look for moments where Beowulf reflects on fate or divine judgment, as these connect to Christian thought.
3. Suggested Passage: In his battle with Grendel’s mother, Beowulf thanks God after his victory, showing a blend of both traditions. His reliance on divine support here can be seen as a Christian influence.

4. Key Takeaways on the Relevance of Both Hero Types in Beowulf

1. Cultural Influence: Remember that Beowulf was written during a time when Christianity was spreading among the Anglo-Saxons, so the blend of Germanic and Christian values reflects this cultural shift.
2. Guiding Question: How does Beowulf’s portrayal of heroism reflect both the old Germanic warrior values and the newer Christian ideals that were becoming important at the time?
3. Goal: Try to conclude that Beowulf’s character serves as a bridge between the two worlds, combining the bravery of the Germanic hero with the humility and self-sacrifice of the Christian hero.

Suggested Sources for Further Research

1. Primary Text: Beowulf, especially sections describing his battles with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon.
2. Scholarly Articles on JSTOR: Search for articles about “Christianity in Beowulf” or “Germanic heroism in Beowulf” to get scholarly insights.
3. "Beowulf and the Critics" by J.R.R. Tolkien: This analysis dives into the dual influences of Christian and Germanic traditions in Beowulf.
4. Britannica.com: Great for summaries on Beowulf’s themes, the Germanic heroic code, and Christian influences in Anglo-Saxon literature.

Hope this helps! Let me know if you have questions or want to discuss specific passages—I’d be happy to go over any of these with you.

Best,