The epic poem Beowulf highlights God's role as a protector who provided earthly wealth and well-being to the people of 6th century Denmark and Sweden. Beowulf and his people worship a pagan god who serves to maintain humility and peace. The Anglo-Saxons were pagans at the time this epic poem takes place, and they later became Christianized as Beowulf continued to be transmitted orally. Beowulf was transcribed by Christians, which explains why Christian themes are visible throughout the poem. Many perceive Beowulf as a Christian hero who fights for the good of the Christian God, but Beowulf's practice of pagan traditions and his efforts to preserve his earthly glory after his death suggest otherwise. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Whenever a great man performs heroic deeds, the narrator attributes his power to God's favor and divine plan. God is praised and acknowledged for every circumstance considered a blessing. For example, Hrothgar praises God when he proclaims, “The holy God of His Grace hath sent him unto us Danes of the West, as I hope, against the terror of Grendel” (Beowulf 9). God provided a hero when the Danes sorely needed a savior. By attributing heroic success to God, the Danes and Geats demonstrate humility. The narrator's belief in this principle is demonstrated when he states: "There the monster had seized him, but he was aware of the great strength, the great gift that God had given him, and was counting on the Almighty. Powerful for obtaining favor, comfort and help. . By this he conquered the enemy, subdued the spirit of hell” (Beowulf 23). In making this comment, the narrator, perceptive, does not give Beowulf all the credit for his victory against Grendel. If God hadn't wanted Beowulf to win, he simply wouldn't have done it. The religious beliefs of the Danes and the Geats include a willingness to be modest about one's own abilities rather than being extremely boastful and denying any divine intervention. Almost every aspect of life in Beowulf is related to God. At first glance, this God may appear to be the Christian God, but upon closer examination of the rituals, practices, and references, it becomes apparent that Beowulf and his companions are worshiping a pagan god. Pagan traditions are clearly represented throughout Beowulf. The Anglo-Saxons practiced the pagan customs of wergild, or the recovery of lost men, and the belief of wyrd, which denotes a person's fate or destiny (lecture notes 02/03/16). Wergild is exposed when Beowulf proclaims “Do not worry, wise warrior. It is better for a man to avenge his friend than to weep much” (Beowulf 25). This pagan principle is not only put into practice throughout the poem but is the reason why Beowulf must help the Danes. Hrothgar took in Beowulf's father, Ecgtheow, after he was unable to pay the wergild for killing a man, and this obligation extended to Beowulf. This principle differs greatly from Christianity which preaches forgiveness of one's enemies rather than vengeance. Like Wergild, wyrd is mentioned frequently throughout the poem. The description "the Lord has granted to weave for them good fortune in war, for the people of the Weather-Geats, comfort and help that they may overcome their enemy by the power of one man, by its only strength: the truth has been made known that a mighty God has always ruled over mankind” specifies that God is all-powerful and directly controls the lives of mortals (Beowulf 14). Beowulf demonstrates that there is no resistance to his wyrd when he states: “.)