Critical Analysis
Critical Analysis In this essay you will read my answers to the following questions, 1. Where in Beowulf do you see instances of syncretism between Angelo-Saxon paganism and Christianity, examples, and how well I think these combinations work? 2. Explanation of my reaction to the way that the cross was used in “The Dream of the Rood”, are any of the aspects of this personification troubling or especially effective, examples of instances that make an impression on me and the reasons for my actions.
In Beowulf one place that I seen the instances of Anglo-Saxon paganism and Christianity is the burial scene.
For example, Then the people of the Geats made ready for him a funeral pyre on the earth, no small one, hung with helmets, battle-shields, bright mail-shirts, just as he had asked. Then in the midst they laid the great prince, lamenting their hero, their beloved lord. Then warriors began to awaken on the barrow the greatest of funeral-fires; the wood-smoke climbed, black over the fire; the roaring flame mixed with weeping — the wind-surge died down — until it had broken the bone-house, hot at its heart. Sad in spirit they lamented their heart-care, the death of their liege lord.
And the Geatish woman, wavy-haired, sang a sorrowful song about Beowulf . . . . [They] surrounded the remains of the fire with a wall, the most splendid that men might devise. In the barrow they placed rings and jewels .
. . . They let the earth hold the wealth of earls, gold in the ground, where now it still dwells . . .
. Then the brave in battle rode round the mound . . . bewail[ing] their sorrow and mourn[ing] their king, recit[ing] dirges and speak[ing] of the man.
They praised his great deeds and his acts of courage, judged well of his prowess . . . . They said that he was of world-kings the . .
most eager for fame. (Greenblatt, 94). How can say there is not any Christianity without the presence of Christ. There were Christians of the first century A. D.
and the New Testament did not exist, which made them use the Jewish scripture where Jesus made no appearance. At this time since there was no New Testament and the Old Testament was considered to be Christian’s sacred scripture. Later the New Testament was written and then it was considered the teaching of Christ to his followers. When you read the scripture in the Bible you read how Jesus wants you to act and live your life.
In The Dreamer of the Rood my reaction was very passionate about how the dreamer felt about his God.
When he seen the tree that was made into the cross that Jesus was crucified on, it made him have more faith in what he believed. He was stating that he saw “glory’s tree honored with trappings, shining with joys, decked with gold. ” (Greenblatt, Lines 14-16). With this being said he meant that cross was considered that greatest thing and it meant the world to him to see what he had seen. He also made me think about what was being said when “everyone here as he will have earned for himself earlier in this brief life.
(Greenblatt, lines 108-110). This means if you would live right and have faith you will go to Heaven to see his wonderful face along with your brothers and sisters. I really like how the dreamer kept referring Jesus as a friend. We all have friends, and if you are a friend of Jesus you are a saved Christian and have beliefs that you will one day have the opportunity to see him again in Heaven. I really like this poem it was very touching to me know that this person was dreaming about seeing Christ being beaten on the cross, and how he suffered for our sins.
I am a true believer that Jesus will come back one day and take all who are saved and have the life as a Christian should live. I have always been grown up into church since I was a little girl, but have strayed away from it in the past few years. I still have my beliefs and teach my children about them. My oldest son has been saved already, which occurred about a year ago at Bible school. I don’t think that he really completely understands what that means, but when he asks questions about different things I try to help him have a better understanding.
He may only be 8 years old, but he is getting to the point of asking different questions about God and our beliefs.
I just hope that he will continue living for Jesus and work hard to stay out of trouble and lean towards the paths of Heaven. In conclusion these two answers to the questions were very difficult at times, but I feel that I worked hard to fulfill the answers to the best of my knowledge. I have provided examples from each and hope this makes it easier to understand for all of us.
