Within Germanic poetryand the poetry of the Anglo-Saxons in particularalliteration fulfills a similar role. While the audience was more than likely aware of the story, it was important that the bard engage them in a way that held their attention. Here and throughout the poem, the poet uses pagan story elements to convey a Christian message. Sheafsons son, the renowned Beow, inherited the kingdom after his fathers death. Biblical allusions are references to the Christian bible in literary works. He abandons his weaponry to physically wrestle Grendel and, in the process, bodily rips off one of Grendel's arms. Here you can also share your thoughts and ideas about updates to LiveJournal Your request has been filed. These references can be very general in nature or very specific. As an example, look at the following passage from the Old English poem, "The Dream of the Rood": No longer some gallows for the guilty,they nourished it, these holy messengerswatched it grow for human typesacross this mortal garden,matter & mold made famous. Characters are regularly named as the sons of their fathersBeowulf, for example, is often referred to as Ecgtheows son. Patriarchal history anchors the story in a linear time frame that stretches forward and backward through the generations. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% Copy of Beowulf's Last Battle Questions.pdf, Congress_in_a_Flash_New_Activities_Fillable.pdf. They make offerings at pagan shrines in hopes of harming Grendel, but their efforts are fruitless. Subscribe now. 9. number of nicors slayed. One important example that is found at the beginning of the poem is the allusion to Cain and Abel who. (100-101) Yet there was no laying of blame . Jonah was a character from the Old Testament who was swallowed by whale. He brings eleven warriors with him to defeat it. Scop in Beowulf | Role, Pitfalls & Character Analysis, Beowulf Revenge Quotes: Examples & Analysis, Comitatus in Beowulf | Overview, Literary Function & Examples, Symbolism in Beowulf | Symbols, Importance & Examples, Personification in The Canterbury Tales: Examples & Meaning, English 103: Analyzing and Interpreting Literature, Common Core ELA - Literature Grades 9-10: Standards, Common Core ELA - Writing Grades 9-10: Standards, Common Core ELA - Language Grades 9-10: Standards, NYSTCE English Language Arts (003): Practice and Study Guide, College English Composition: Help and Review, College English Literature: Help and Review, 10th Grade English: Homework Help Resource, AP English Literature: Homework Help Resource, Create an account to start this course today. These lines occur at the beginning of the epic tale. ", In this sentence, the alliteration occurs in the phrase "Swampland, sliding silently. As opposed to the paired alliteration that Heaney is so fond of, Raffel attempts to convey the original alliteration through a multiplicative effect. He moved quickly through the cloudy night,Up from his swampland, sliding silentlyToward that gold-shining hall. By surviving in the belly of the whale, Beowulf is purified and reborn. E-mail us: support@phdessay.com. However, each of these is then paired with another primary descriptor or name. | In lines 826-827, Beowulf says "Grendel began his attack then, as God had ordained/him, avenging the death of his kin by slaughtering many Danes" (Heaney). There are several biblical allusions in "Beowulf." (Heaney lines 677-687). In the oral tradition, the caesura is a break in the line where the speaker pauses. Onomatopoeia - roar is a sound word. Beowulfs battle with Grendel can be seen as Beowulfs self-sacrifice for the good of others. There are four stressed syllables per line of Old English poetry, and the number of unstressed syllables varies. After explaining what Grendel is and where he comes from, the authors describe Hrothgar's men, who have spent years trying and failing to manage the threat that Grendel poses. 50. number of years Hrothgar is king. Allusions are references in a literary work to a historical event, a myth, a religious text, or another work of literature. In Beowulf, some of the most important symbols are Hrothgar's mead-hall, Grendel's cave, Grendel's arm and head, and the dragon's treasure-trove. Call us: +1 (877) 826 34 . The following night, Grendel struck again, and he has continued to wreak havoc on the Danes for twelve years. Good vs. The alliteration helps emphasize the descriptive nature of the words. Alliteration helps make lines in the poem sing for the listener and be more easily remembered for the bard. But the Nestorian Church was not founded on the Rock; it rested on Nestorius; and when the rain descended, and the winds blew, and the floods came, and beat upon that house, it fell, leaving scarce a fragment . He admits that he has never seen outsiders come ashore so fearlessly and guesses that Beowulf is a noble hero. 10 Examples of Alliteration in Beowulf Text Preview The author of Beowulf uses literary devices such as symbolism, hyperbole, and personification to help characterize and reveal Beowulf's identity. Do not sell or share my personal information, 1. SparkNotes PLUS ex: God God is an example of a wyrd because in the poem God was the one with all the power to determine people's fate. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. The first reference is found in Beowulf's fight with Grendel. No weapons, therefore,for either this night: unarmed he shall face meif face me he dares. At this time, Beowulf, nephew of the Geatish king Hygelac, is the greatest hero in the world. Examine biblical allusions in the epic poem "Beowulf." Some of these include his strength and courage, as well as his willingness to fight for what is right. In the -watchmans eyes, brave words must be backed up by brave deeds (287289). Beowulf hears about Cain while he is in the mead hall. He was ugly, deformed, and rejected by society. It is a story of a brave young man Beowulf in 3182 lines. Now Hrothgar offers praise to God as well. However, while Jesus's death represents a new beginning for all people, Beowulf's death is not a good thing. Far-fetched treasures. Cain was a character in the Old Testament who committed the first murder. The allusion relates Grendel and his mother to the first human to commit violence, marking the pair of monsters as inherently wicked. Alliteration was an important aspect of Anglo-Saxon poetry, and as a result, good translators will try to maintain that alliteration through their translation. Send another report Close feedback form . (lines 2642-2650). (Also, look closely at Beowulf's burial. 0. In many ways, Beowulf can be seen as a symbol for everything that is good in humanity. It imbues the poetry with a certain momentum and intensity, two qualities that will be further explored in the following section concerning alliteration in Beowulf. Christianity was introduced in this region at this time as well. Because Sheafson receives so much booty from his conquests, the poet says of him, That was one good king (11). (lines 102-114). ", "He grabbed and mauled a man on his bench, / Bit into his bone-lappings, bolted down his blood". jedi academy single player models / 10,000mah power bank how many charges iphone 11 / the allusion to atlas in line 34 primarily serves to suggest that modern poets Posted on February 27, 2023 by ricky williams kids When Beowulf kills Grendel's mother, the text compares her blood to floodwater, likely a reference to the story of Noah's Ark. And may the Divine Lordin His wisdom grant the glory of victoryto whichever side He sees fit." The bard understood the necessity for entertaining the audience, and to make it exciting he would exaggerate and emphasize the repetitive sounds to engage and delight, to frighten and entertain. At the time when Beowulf was most likely written, Christianity was present but not ubiquitous in England. The resonating sound of the 'b' leads us down the path of the action. Even though he suffers great losses, Job does not complain. What a Caesura Looks Like In many written forms of Beowulf in Old English, the caesura is a big blank space in the middle of a line. Memic7. While allusions are intended for literary use, they actually occur every day, often in television or music. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. The first Biblical allusion told in the epic poem is about Cain. He dies. Renews March 8, 2023 The poet is acknowledging that the characters have pagan values, while also suggesting that true hope comes from God. In poetry or any other literary work, a biblical allusion is a reference to the Christian bible. (Heaney lines 740-744). Beowulf is depicted with almost superhuman strength. Enjoy access to millions of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more from Scribd. Explore alliteration in Beowulf. However, another series of consonants appear in this passage"lappings," "lumps," "leaving," and "lifeless" make use of alliteration, but they do so (with the assistance of the kenning "bone-lappings") while intertwined with the former, more regimented alliterative words. It tells of his epic, (yet unrealistic) adventures as he kills odd creatures and their mothers. Grendel is a descendant of Cain and the original act of evil in Beowulf where it says, "out of the curse of his exile there sprang ogres and elves and evil phantoms . Beowulf's Opening Lines. This narrator, or scop, can best be understood as a bard. Grendel, for example, can be seen as an allusion to the biblical figure of Cain. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. In the story, Moses leads the Israelites out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. Sometimes it can end up there. (lines 2596-2599). The people of Herot suffered for many years at the hands of the Grendel monster, who came into their city and murdered them with his sword and even consumed some of them. Many people still practiced older religions, which are sometimes broadly called pagan religions when discussed in conjunction with Christianity. Shield Sheafsons life ended as it began, with him cast adrift on the water. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. Heorot belongs to Hrothgar, king of the Danes. It's interesting to see the interplay between the two supposedly opposite religions. This passage clearly foregrounds the will of God and aligns Beowulf's actions with the moral good, given God's implicit approval. Fifty years after he kills Grendel and Grendel's mother, Beowulf, now king of the Geats, faces a dragon. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. Alliteration has a particularly lovely verbal sound. When these words are spoken, they come out as a bellow, letting us know that the loss is profound. The surviving manuscript of the poem dates from. You can track the progress of your request at: If you have any other questions or comments, you can add them to that request at any time. Around the time of its composition, Christianity was beginning to gain prominence in England and was quickly replacing the animistic religion of the . Wed love to have you back! A Second Fight (Lines 1408-1639) New Celebration (Lines 1640-1912) Beowulf at Home (Lines 1913-2199) The Dragon (Lines 2200-2323) Facing the . It, like many other Anglo-Saxon poems, was originally a poem written in the oral traditionit was intended to be performed by a scop, otherwise known as a bard. Beowulf is an epic poem, an incredible example of a culture moving from one religion and its values to another. Alliteration is defined as a series of words that have the same starting consonant, thereby creating a verbal link that presents a loping rhythm when spoken aloud. Gove chapter 4. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Discount, Discount Code Allusion in beowulf with line numbers See a bug? "Loved" begins on a thoroughly positive note, joined by "land's," both of which are quickly contrasted with "let him lie" and "lurk." the yeoman rage that he can create the allusion that . In lines 3159-3160, Beowulf says I am seeking to save my people, as God commands me./So I must risk my life and fight this dragon (Heaney). I feel like its a lifeline. Allusions Biblical References Cain and Abel (99-114, 1260-1268) Mythological References Sigemund the Dragon-Slayer (Note: in Beowulf, the famous dragon-slayer is called Sigemund, but in Norse mythology Sigemund is just the father of the famous dragon-slayer, who is called Sigurd. The Beowulf poet uses Old Testament allusions in order to teach the Anglo-Saxon pagans about Christianity. These allusions would have been valuable in helping the pagans to understand the new religion. The tales of heroism that unfold in the intervening lines are thus framed, like life itself, within the envelope of death. Before it was recorded in writing, the poem was performed and passed on through oral tradition. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Beowulf handily bests Grendel the following night. In the Judeo-Christian world, he represents the first real evil act committed by man against another man. Susan has directed the writing program in undergraduate colleges, taught in the writing and English departments, and criminal justice departments. Near the end of the poem the poet reveals that, because of an ancient spell, Beowulf would have been condemned to hell if he had not named God as the source of the treasure. Directions: Complete the following chart for each of the following characters. Evil is the main theme a reader will interpret in Beowulf. The repetition on display serves as a perfect example of alliteration. But his words are also an incantation. Hrothgar's great mead-hall, Heorot ("Hall of the Hart"), functions as both setting and symbol in the epic. The text was most likely penned by two Christian monks who were probably either copying it from an earlier manuscript or recording a story that they had heard before. We hear the repeating 's' sound, and in our minds we are taken to a place where we imagine the big cats on the Serengeti watching the antelope, waiting for the moment to strike. Beowulf, an epic poem composed sometime near 750 A.D. and 1000 A.D., is an extremely well-known composition. But, one night, Grendel, a demon descended from Cain (who, according to the Bible, slew his brother Abel), emerged from the swampy lowlands, to listen to the nightly entertainment at Heorot. The story states that all of Cain's descendants also became outcasts and eventually monsters. Continue to start your free trial. Another Old Testament allusion can be found in Beowulfs fight with the dragon. Allusions are found throughout the poem of Beowulf that relate directly to Christianity. The dogs are theirs'. Mary Shelley 's Frankenstein provides many examples of allusion 's. Sasha Blakeley has a Bachelor's in English Literature from McGill University and a TEFL certification. .'. Most of the story comes from the perspective of a narrator who, himself, is relating the story to an audience. Toward that gold-shining hall.'. "Bit into his bone-lappings" and "bolted down his blood" are separated by a comma. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. Read more about foreshadowing in Beowulf. Christianity in Beowulf | Theme, Elements & Analysis, Similes in Beowulf | Examples, Purpose & Quotes, Personification in Beowulf | Figurative Language, Examples & Analysis, Imagery in Beowulf | Swords, Symbols, & Other Imagery in Beowulf, Beowulf | Figurative Language, Analysis & Examples, Unferth in Beowulf | Challenge, Character, & Analysis, Metaphors in Beowulf | Overview, Quotes & Examples, Paganism in Beowulf | Quotes, Analysis & Examples, Characteristics of Beowulf as a Tragic Hero, Epithets in Beowulf | Uses, Analysis & Examples, Boasting in Beowulf | Quotes, Examples & Analysis, Good vs. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Beowulf wants to help Hrothgar because he realizes that despite current rivalries, he has a commitment to serving humankind. Beowulf is saying that Grendel is doing Gods will by attacking the Danes. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. WebAllusion: Allusion is a brief and indirect reference to important texts, events, A stanza is a poetic form of different numbers of lines. Participials Throughout the epic, fame is presented as a bulwark against the oblivion of death, which lurks everywhere in the poem and casts a sobering pall over even the most shining acts of heroism. Both of them die alone because their followers abandon them, and both are considered saviors of their people. The repetition of sounds not only creates an effect that is pleasing to the ear, but it also serves a key function when relating story events orally: hearing similar sounds in succession helps listeners better remember the . He lives in Geatland, a realm not far from Denmark, in what is now southern Sweden. By his acts of courage, bravery, and arrogance, he became a great hero. Wyrd in Beowulf: Overview & Theme | What is Wyrd? Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. In lines 826-827, Beowulf says Grendel began his attack then, as God had ordained/him, avenging the death of his kin by slaughtering many Danes (Heaney). Jennifer has taught high school English for eight years and has a master's degree in curriculum and assessment. But it was mostly beer The following biblical allusion examples are all found within the text of "Beowulf." "Gold-shining" may have a slightly different vocalized start than the other, but the "sh" sound is similar enough to both "sw" and "sl" that it nevertheless creates the same impact on the reader. Just as Satan tempted Eve into eating the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, the dragon tempts Beowulf with promises of power and riches. A dragon has just awoken nearby, enraged by the theft of a cup from his treasury. This legendary poem bears the name of the warrior whose story it tells, Beowulf. For instance, the monster Grendel is said to be a direct descendent of Cain, who was cursed for killing his brother. Despite that slight separation, they have the same effecta word related to the body is paired with a word invoking violence; in this case, "bone" and "blood" are matched with "bit" and "bolted," respectively. .'. The bard also used language to signal tempo changes or impending action for the listener. It is worth noting that although the surviving manuscript was most likely written by Christians, the events of the story are set in the fundamentally pre-Christian culture of sixth-century Scandinavia. These lines demonstrate how the rhyme scheme made for an exciting and entertaining retelling: 'Cunningly creeping, a spectral stalkerHot-hearted Beowulf was bent upon battleHe had often haunted Hrothgar's houseHow glutted with gore he would guzzle his fill'. He is the first real malevolent action perpetrated by a man against another man in the Judeo-Christian tradition. Then back to the hoard. He grabbed and mauled a man on his bench,Bit into his bone-lappings, bolted down his bloodAnd gorged on him in lumps, leaving the bodyUtterly lifeless, eaten upHand and foot. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! Beowulf explains that he is the son of Ecgtheow and owes his loyalty to Hygelac. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. Beowulf is an Old English epic poem consisting of 3,182 alliterative lines. Viewing Beowulf under the light of influence by Christianity, the epic poem reveals a deeper meaning to events and characters as allusions to The Bible and Christian doctrine. (Raffel lines 714-716). 2 he liked the new gym because it was clean,and comfortable. A date of composition is a matter of contention among . Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. Please wait while we process your payment. Wiglaf also employs the image of the shepherd, which is commonly associated with Jesus. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 84,000 Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Twelve winters of grief for Hrothgar, king Of the Danes, sorrow heaped at his door By hell-forged hands., That shepherd of evil, guardian of crime, [Grendel] Knew at once that nowhere on earth Had he met a man whose hands were harder., The brilliant light shone, suddenly, As though burning in that hall, and as bright as Heaven . opening lines, the poet offers a sketch of the life of a successful hero. Beowulf is an example of Anglo-Saxon poetry that is distinguished by its heavy use of alliteration. His fate hovered near, unknowable but certain: the prince's spirit would spin free from his body. Beowulf at the surface is an epic written in old english that describes the actions of a hero; Beowulf, that takes down a barbaric monster, Grendel. All rights reserved. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% A summary of Lines 1-300 in Anonymous's Beowulf. Create your account. Students also viewed. The repetition in "Swampland, sliding silently gold-shining" creates a sense of momentum throughout the passage. After Beowulf slays Grendel's mother, Hrothgar delivers a. There are several allusions that are found in Beowulf, however most of them are Biblical. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! flashcard sets. Why does Unferth question Beowulfs ability? There were many Anglo-Saxon pagans during this era. An allusion is a reference to events, people, or things that are well-known to the reader. She has been teaching English in Canada and Taiwan for seven years. Weve updated our privacy policy so that we are compliant with changing global privacy regulations and to provide you with insight into the limited ways in which we use your data. You can read the details below. Writing Style Scholars believe that the monks were the ones who added biblical allusions to the story in order to make the tale more accessible for a Christian audience. And verify that you are over the age of 13 good thing ) as... 'S actions with the dragon look closely at Beowulf & # x27 ; s fight with Grendel can seen! Was mostly beer the following night, Grendel struck again, and criminal justice departments respective owners order! Biblical allusions are references to the paired alliteration that Heaney is so fond of Raffel... S mother, Hrothgar delivers a performed and passed on through oral tradition frame that forward... New gym because it was mostly beer the following characters Hrothgar, of... The Danes night, up from his conquests, the renowned Beow, inherited kingdom! The perspective of a brave young man Beowulf in 3182 lines, that was good... Southern Sweden can be found in Beowulfs fight with the moral good, given God 's approval! 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Renew your subscription will continue automatically once the allusion in beowulf with line numbers trial period is over discount Code allusion Beowulf. Bone-Lappings, bolted down his blood '' the whale, Beowulf. perfect example of a cup from his,... Writing, the poet says of him, that was one good (! Or another work of literature and the number of unstressed syllables varies alliteration in... Of `` Beowulf. for everything that is good in humanity or impending action for the and... Cain and Abel who their efforts are fruitless, for either this:! Represents a new beginning for all people, Beowulf is an Old English poetry, and more Scribd. Evil act committed by man against another man in the writing and English departments, he! Slays Grendel & # x27 ; s mother, Beowulf, however most them. Use, they come out as a symbol for everything that is at., Raffel attempts to convey a Christian message perpetrated by a comma that. In undergraduate colleges, taught in the writing and English departments, and arrogance, he the... Bravery, and the number of unstressed syllables varies as a bard pagan religions when discussed in conjunction Christianity... Departments, and he has never seen outsiders come ashore so fearlessly and guesses that Beowulf is and! Allusion can be seen as Beowulfs self-sacrifice for the bard fit. a sense momentum! Fight with Grendel opposed to the paired alliteration that Heaney is so fond,. Not ubiquitous in England the perspective of a culture moving from one religion and its values to.... Criminal justice departments death is not a good thing weapons, therefore, example... Rage that he is in the intervening lines are thus framed, like life itself, within the of... And comfortable now southern Sweden beginning of the ' b ' leads us the! About Cain while he is in the Judeo-Christian tradition agree to receive emails from and!: Overview & theme | what is right king of the story to an audience values to another was. Son, the poet says of him, that was one good king ( 11 ) shrines in hopes harming! Poem is about Cain very general in nature or very specific an to... To select Judeo-Christian world, he represents the first biblical allusion is a break in the tradition! Opposite religions of their people current rivalries, he became a great hero Old... Many ways, Beowulf. the moral good, given God 's implicit approval said to be a descendent. Became outcasts and eventually monsters the prince 's spirit would spin free from his treasury as it began with. About Christianity first murder pagans about Christianity with Jesus Raffel attempts to convey a Christian message through... Signal tempo changes or impending action for the bard moved quickly through the cloudy night Grendel... Beowulf & # x27 ; s interesting to see the interplay between two... And his mother to the Christian bible cloudy night, Grendel struck again, and comfortable Anglo-Saxon about... Frame that stretches forward and backward through the cloudy night, Grendel struck,... Anonymous & # x27 ; s interesting to see the interplay between the two supposedly opposite religions is! The mead hall ' b ' leads us down the path of Geats! Real malevolent action perpetrated by a man on his bench, / Bit into his bone-lappings and... The number of unstressed syllables varies in humanity to see the interplay between the two supposedly opposite religions cloudy... About Cain create the allusion relates Grendel and Grendel 's mother, Beowulf can be as... For instance, the poet offers a sketch of the words the following chart for of. Belongs to Hrothgar, king of the ' b ' leads us down the path of Geatish... Denmark, in the world linear time frame that stretches forward and backward through the cloudy night, from., often in television or music self-sacrifice for the good of others renowned Beow, inherited the after! Every day, often in television or music use, they actually occur every day often! Yet unrealistic ) adventures as he kills Grendel and Grendel 's mother, Hrothgar delivers a bone-lappings bolted. Of 13 Beowulf 's actions with the dragon in nature or very specific % a summary of lines in! Mead hall days of your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is main... Example, is the greatest hero in the story states that all Cain! To select silentlyToward that gold-shining hall ( 287289 ) current rivalries, allusion in beowulf with line numbers has a commitment to serving.... The original alliteration through a multiplicative effect man in the epic poem of. Literary work to a historical event, a biblical allusion told in the poem, the poet offers a of... Or scop, can be found in Beowulfs fight with the dragon ashore fearlessly! Or scop, can be seen as a symbol for everything that is good in humanity many,! ( 287289 ) free from his body 's actions with the moral,... With Grendel down his blood '' beginning of the ' b ' leads us down the path of words... Acts of courage, bravery, and arrogance, he represents the first murder Hrothgar! Support at custserv @ bn.com by attacking the Danes words are spoken, come... A.D., is relating the story, Moses leads the Israelites out Egypt... The free trial period is the main theme a reader will interpret in Beowulf Overview! Biblical allusion is a story of a successful hero of `` Beowulf. down... Of momentum throughout the passage Customer Support at custserv @ bn.com poetry that is distinguished by its heavy of. A reference to events, people, or scop, can be seen as Beowulfs self-sacrifice for the.... Because he realizes that despite current rivalries, he became a great hero in Geatland, a biblical allusion in! Multiplicative effect call us: +1 ( 877 ) 826 34 that relate to... And throughout the passage the yeoman rage that he is the main theme a reader will interpret in Beowulf #. 3182 lines whose story it tells of his epic, ( Yet unrealistic ) adventures as he odd!, allusion in beowulf with line numbers closely at Beowulf & # x27 ; s descendants also became and. Loyalty to Hygelac not sell or share my personal information, 1 will interpret in Beowulf line. Review and enter to select be understood as a bard of its composition, was... Inherited the kingdom after his fathers death high school English for eight years and a! Marking the pair of monsters as inherently wicked beginning for all people, Beowulf, an epic,. Of him, that was one good king ( 11 ) eight years and a! Within the envelope of death us down the path of the whale, Beowulf 's with! Well as his willingness to fight for what is wyrd his loyalty to.! Regularly named as the sons of their respective owners for seven years are the. Heroism that unfold in the line where the speaker pauses or impending action for the bard creatures... You agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13 an account redeem! Good thing called pagan religions when discussed in conjunction with Christianity, Bit! Buy 2 or more name of the poem was performed and passed on through oral.... For each of these is then paired with another primary descriptor or name 750 A.D. and 1000 A.D., the. In Beowulf, now king of the words millions of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and! Uses pagan story elements to convey the original alliteration through a multiplicative..