Beowulf and the Rood 1

Beowulf and the Rood 1

Beowulf and Dream of the Rood

Syncretism is the reconciliation or combination of different/opposing

principles, practices, or parties such as in religion or philosophies. Beowulf is I think, not a willful attempt to combine paganism and Christianity but rather a reflection of what some of the beliefs and long-told stories of the people of the time actually were.

Beowulf was written about Britain was occupied by tribes who had invaded and were considered somewhat pagan, or in other words, not totally Christian, but with beliefs of both. The harbored certain beliefs about the need to kill other people if they dishonored you or yours. Each family, tribe or settlement had to watch out for someone coming in to kill them and take everything they had. And I think when there are no enemies to conquer and kill, no one battling for the king’s spot, they liked to invent monsters who threatened their throne.

Hrothgar's throne, for instance is protected by God, and no enemies apparently can bother him or his people there. But,Grendel, a monsterwhose ancestor was Cain from the Bible and lives in chamber underwater, can get to whoever is located in the great hall, which is apparently not protected by God. This monster is full of “envy and hate” just like Cain in the bible. He hates God for banishing him for killing Abel. The story seems to be a mixed up story of paganism and Christianity. This is not to appear comedic, but it is almost as if they had heard some bible stories or their predecessors had passed down just enough Christian information that they believed some of it, but also had their own long held beliefs. They have some information, but obviously do not go by the ten commandments. Also, they have a skewed idea of God’s powers. After all, if God was strong enough to protect the king in one spot, why not protect him and his family and subjects all the time?

Beowulf talks about God all through the poem and refers to him as his protector. There are numerous places where Christianity is discussed along with the discussions of the pagan way of life these different tribes led. All throughout it showed the blending of two "religions."

When Beowulf went to kill Grendel’s mother, a decidedly “unChristian” thing to do, Hrothgarand thanked God almighty for Beowulf’s bravery to do such a thing. I think it is a wonderful story of kings and favors to kings and loyalties. It’s about monsters and the love of God and belief in him as a protector, yet has elements of fantasy and a brave man growing old and sort of looking back at his good life and knowing his kingdom will be all right without him.

The Dream of the Rood

In the Dream of the Rood the personification of the rood was not really troubling. I thought it was very effective, though. As I studied the poem, I actually felt sorry for the tree/cross. It was definitely recounting the crucifixion of Christ, yet probably was not considered a really Christian poem because it is so “different.” The enemies that first tore up the tree to make the place where prisoners were to be executed were made to sound even worse by the language used and the feeling when I read it that they were actually being mean to the tree. When the cross speaks, it seems normal and not at all odd.

It was easy to see that the dream’s presenting the cross first with jewels and then blood refers to Christ the King, and the blood that was spilt on the cross by the enemies of Christ. Clearly the cross did not want to do what it had to do—support the body of Christ as he was executed. This definitely took something from the bible because of the knowledge of the crucifixion and the wording. For instance:

"They pierced me with dark nails. On me, the scars are visible,
open malicious wounds. I did not dare injure any of them.
They mocked both of us, together. I was all drenched with blood,
covered from the man’s side, after he had sent forth his spirit."(lines 46 to 49)

In the bible, Christ says as he dies “….I commend my spirit” and this poem, line 48 says he sent forth his spirit—very similar. So the cross knew what was going on and seemed to have a special bond with Christ throughout. Even though it does not want to do it, it listens to Christ and does what it is told. The cross even feels the nails, a humanizing characteristic. It’s a very jarring poem really. Even when the people take him off the cross it stands there and watches as they prepare a tomb.

Christ made the cross a symbol of Christianity, faith, and healing almost as a “thank you” for helping to carry out what Christ, as the son of God, was bound to do. The dreamer is told to spread the word about Christ’s sacrifice so that sins may be forgiven. The dreamer becomes devoted to the cross in the end.

My reaction was mostly sad for the cross, but then, it gets its reward for doing as Christ wanted, so now it serves a place in Christian’s lives so I see the purpose of the story.