Christian and Pagan Influence in Paradise Lost and...

Christian and Pagan Influence in Paradise Lost and Beowulf In Paradise Lost, Milton is adept at drawing from both Christian and pagan sources and integrating them in such a way that they reinforce one another (Abrams 1075). Of course it is a commonplace for critics to believe that Milton valued his Christian sources more highly than the pagan ones (Martindale 20); this is most likely due to the fact that he regarded the Christian sources as vessels of the truth. His classical allusions, on the other hand, served as references for things fallen or damned. Thus, as seen in the invocation to Book 7 (Descend from heav’n Urania, by that name / If rightly thou art called [7.1-2]) wherein Milton places his muse Urania, the Greek†¦show more content†¦Thus, I agree with John D. Niles that if this poem can be attributed to a Christian author composing not earlier than the first half of the tenth century†¦then there is little reason to read it as a survival from the heathen age that came to be marred by monkish interpolations (137) . Just as the Beowulf poet’s contemporary audience was thrown into a schizophrenic state by the pull of a pagan past against the new teachings of Christianity, the poet himself was put to task to successfully blend these religious ideologies in a complex yet effective plot that appealed to his audience precisely because they were attempting to reconcile their own beliefs. Although Beowulf most likely began as such a pagan epic, it eventually was expanded to include Christian elements, whereas Paradise Lost is definitely a Christian tale that uses classical allusions to remain connected to the epic tradition. In both tales, pagan or classical allusions, in contrast to Christian allusions, are used in reference to that which is fallen or damned. Yet I must be careful not to imply that Milton was using the Beowulf manuscript as a source because the manuscript was not available in England until 1815; therefore, Milton could not have been aware of it during theShow MoreRelatedReligion Throughout British Literature2205 Words   |  9 PagesWith all the books read in class this year, there has been some type of influence on the way each story was written. From Beowulf to Paradise Lost, there have been many, mostly religious, persuasions in the style and approach to writing of the novel. These influences, whether theyre religious or cultural or psychological , have a deep impact on the story and are reflective of a literary time period. The differences in each story show the changes in the culture, religion, or the way people thoughtRead MoreQualities of a Leader in Beowulf and Sir Gawain the Green Knight1074 Words   |  5 Pagesdifferent character and upon completion of his journey the main character usually becomes the leader or a figure who has the potential to lead others, the leader is usually a well-known, revered, however they are alone, both figuratively and physically. Beowulf written by an unnamed poet has multiple characters that the reader can identify as leaders, one whom is within the first five lines of the text. Shielf Sheafson, is described as the scourge of many tribes becomes the first Cyng of the Danes. In SirRead MoreAnglo-Saxon Heroic Poetry5673 Words   |  23 PagesOld English poetry is divided into two types: the Heroic, the sources of which are pre-Christian Germanic myth, history and custom; and the Christ ian. Heroic, or Epic Poetry belongs to one of these two types and refers to long narrative poems celebrating the great deeds of one or more legendary heroes, in a grand, ceremonious style. In its strict use by literary critics, the terms Heroic Poetry or Epic are applied to a work that meets the following criteria: such a poem must be related in an