Old Testament Allusions In Beowulf

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Old Testament Allusions In Beowulf

Thesis: The Beowulf poet incorporates Old Testament allusions in order to teach
the Anglo-Saxon pagans about the new religion. I. Biblical Allusion A. The
Definition of Allusion B. The Old Testament II. Descendant of Cain A. Story of
Cain B. Grendel 1. Descendant a. Committing Murder b. Living as Grendel III.
Allusions to David and Goliath A. Story of David and Goliath B. Story of
She-Monster C. Death of the She-Monster 1. Decapitation IV. The Serpent A. Story
of the Serpent B. Story of the Dragon 1. Allusion to Satan V. Lord of the
Universe A. Act of Creation B. Ruler of All Adam Bussey Dr Vivone English 4A,
Period 5 24 April 2000 Old Testament Allusions in Beowulf Throughout literature,
many writers have alluded to stories in the Bible. Whether it's from the Old
Testament or the New Testament, writers have paid references to Biblical
stories. In literary analysis, this is called an allusion. The Oxford
Encyclopedic English Dictionary defines an allusion as a reference, especially a
covert, or indirect one (37). In the case of Beowulf, the allusion is referring
to instances in the Bible. The specific references are to stories told in the
Old Testament. During the time period of the poet of Beowulf, there were many
Anglo-Saxon pagans. The pagans are people not subscribing to any of the major
religions of the world. At this time, the new religion of Christianity also came
about in this region. Religion, therefore, is taught through stories, such as
those of the Old Testament. The Beowulf poet incorporates Old Testament
allusions in order to teach the Anglo-Saxon pagans about the new religion. The
first Biblical allusion told in the epic poem is about Cain. Cain was a
character in the Old Testament who committed the first murder. He had grown so
jealous of his brother that he murdered him. In the Judeo-Christian world, he
represents the first real evil act committed by man against another man. This is
alluded to by the story of the Grendel monster. For many years, the Grendel
monster terrorized the people of Herot. He came in and killed the inhabitants by
slashing and even eating some of them. This act is much like the act that Cain
committed and therefore Grendel’s actions can be traced back to Cain. Grendel
is a descendant of Cain because he committed the same act of murder. The Grendel
monster also did not have a very promising life. His life contained no positive
outlooks. He lived in his abode only to go out of it to ...

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