Anglo-saxon Belief In Fate And Christianity :: essays research papers

The Unity of the Unknown and the Eternal Security: The Anglo-Saxon Belief in Christianity and Fate Imagine a life in which one is simply a pawn at the hands of a mysterious higher force stumbling and meandering through life's tribulations. Until Pope Gregory the Great was sent to spread Christianity throughout England, the Anglo- Saxons believed solely in this passive, victimizing philosophy. These pagans still clung to much of their heathen culture after the wave of Christianity swept through England leaving no one behind. Literature derived from this period (including Beowulf, "The Seafarer," and "The Wanderer") directly reflects the maintaining of Christian ideals, as well as the belief in fate's unknown and often grim path. For example, the epic poem, Beowulf , declares, "...Fate will unwind as it must!" (line 284). Meanwhile, the same work implies God has the authority in this great world by stating, "And all his glorious band of Geats/Thanked God their leader had come back unharmed," (598-599) as if God was the deciding factor in the great protector's health. The joining convincedness in God and fate influences the culture, outlook on life, and the various independent life paths of Anglo- Saxons. These early Germanic people believe "fate"- an anonymous power - controls the present, future and past; yet, they also believe the power of God is a resolute supremecy not to be denounced. Our earliest warriors put aside their heroic independence and let wyrd's foreign agency control their views and their lives' paths time and time again. These pagans even allow destiny to influence their view of life which was fatalistic and desolate. "The Wanderer" proves the Anglo-Saxons had little to live for and much to fear as it tells the tale of an anonymous man stripped from his gold-lord. This literary work illustrates stoic solitude and grim hopelessness by using phrases like, "...what a bitter companion/Shoulder to shoulder sorrow can be,"(lines 26-27) and "Wretchedness fills the realm of earth," (98). Along with their outlook on life as a whole, fate controls the pagans decisions and lack there of. "The Seafarer" shows an example of the Anglo-Saxons submissive role by voicing the story of a sailor suffering through hardships because he was meant to be a sailor and is drawn to the familiar sea. The sailor explains his painful lifestyle by stating, "...my soul/Called me eagerly out..." (lines 36-37) implying this harrowing lifestlye is not a conscious choice, but more of an obligation to something other than his mind and heart. Even the bravest warrior fell victim to this unsafe and unpredictable fortress. Beowulf, who is "...-greater/And stronger than anyone anywhere in this world, " (110-111), explained on his