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

The Unity of the Unknown and the Eternal Security The Anglo-Saxon Beliefin Christianity and Fate Imagine a life in which one is simply a pawn at thehands of a mysterious higher imbibe stumbling and meandering by means of lifestribulations. Until Pope Gregory the Great was sent to spread Christianitythroughout England, the Anglo- Saxons believed solely in this passive,victimizing philosophy. These pagans still clung to much of their heathenculture after the flutter of Christianity swept through England leaving no onebehind. Literature derived from this period (including Beowulf, "The Seafarer,"and "The Wanderer") directly reflects the maintaining of Christian ideals, aswell as the belief in fates unknown and often grim path. For example, the epicpoem, Beowulf , declares, "...Fate will unwind as it must" (line 284).Meanwhile, the same work implies God has the authority in this great creative activityby stating, "And all his glorious band of Geats/Thanke d God their leader hadcome back unharmed," (598-599) as if God was the deciding factor in thegreat protectors health. The connection convincedness in God and fate influencesthe culture, outlook on life, and the various independent life paths of Anglo-Saxons. These early Germanic people believe "fate"- an anonymous big businessman -controls the present, future and past yet, they also believe the power of Godis a resolute supremecy not to be denounced. Our earliest warriors put asidetheir heroic license and let wyrds foreign agency control their viewsand their lives paths time and time again. These pagans even allow destiny toinfluence their view of life which was fatalistic and desolate. "The Wanderer"proves the Anglo-Saxons had lesser to live for and much to fear as it tells thetale of an anonymous man stripped from his gold-lord. This literary workillustrates stoic solitude and grim hopelessness by using phrases like, "...what abitter companion/Shoulder t o shoulder sorrow can be,"(lines 26-27) and"Wretchedness fills the realm of earth," (98). Along with their outlook on lifeas a whole, fate controls the pagans decisions and lack there of. "TheSeafarer" shows an example of the Anglo-Saxons submissive role by voicingthe story of a sailor suffering through hardships because he was meant to be asailor and is drawn to the familiar sea. The sailor explains his painful lifestyleby stating, "...my soul/Called me eagerly out..." (lines 36-37) implying thisharrowing lifestlye is not a conscious choice, but more of an obligation tosomething other than his mind and heart. Even the bravest warrior fell victim tothis unsafe and unpredictable fortress. Beowulf, who is "...-greater/Andstronger than anyone anywhere in this world, " (110-111), explained on his