Publisher's Synopsis
This book explores the reasons for Christian stories and ideas in Beowulf, the Anglo-Saxon epic poem that also describes pagan religious and burial practices. By examining historical, archaeological, and linguistic sources, Mary Parker evaluates the possibilities for Christian understanding on the part of the audience and Christian teaching on the part of the poet. These inquiries lead to an informed review of the critical literature on the Christianity in Beowulf. Finally the author looks at individual speakers in the poem and words they use that reveal Christian meaning. This multi-disciplinary summary and review concludes that the Christianity in Beowulf is a reflection of the society that produced it, a heroic society in transition toward the new Christian value system.
