Analysis of Beowulf, Dream of the Rood, and Gawain

Ashlee N. Aguero

English British Literature 2322

Prof. Woods

10/27/22

Analysis of Beowulf, Dream of the Rood, and Gawain

Introduction

Europe’s cultures experienced cultural diffusion in the eleventh century. The rapidly growing Christian faith was replacing the previously predominant Pagan values. Even if this change was taking place, pagan values were still prevalent in the literature. Literature in the past was centered on the well-known warrior culture. The writers referred to parts of Pagan values and the warrior’s code while also incorporating more Christian values as a result of cultural diffusion. Three literary works: Dream of the Rood, Beowulf, and Gawain, were influenced by this cultural shift. The Old English poetry The Dream of the Rood was composed by an unknown author to describe Christ’s death on the crucifixion from the cross’s point of view (Gray). The poem is divided into three sections, with the first section presenting the image of the cross or rood in which Christ was crucified. The second part, the speech of the cross, narrates how Christ endured the pain of the crucifixion without tormenting the crucifiers. The last section elaborates on how the speaker has come to understand and appreciate the rood’s message. He hopes to spend eternity in heaven with all the other faithful Christians. By depicting the central event in Christian belief—the crucifixion—in a dream, The Dream of the Rood demonstrates Christian culture’s principles while gently incorporating Pagan values. Beowulf is an ancient heroic poem that depicts the life and deeds of Beowulf. Throughout the narrative, he proves to be a courageous legend warrior, vanquishing monsters and rescuing others in need. Beowulf is often regarded as one of the finest works of Old English literature. Although Beowulf is a poem in the Germanic heroic tradition, it portrays a distinct Christian influence. The protagonist in Beowulf is a hero because he defeats monsters and leads his people according to both the Warrior’s code of the Pagan culture and Christian beliefs. On the other hand, Gawain explains how Sir Gawain, a member of King Arthur’s Round Table, conforms to a challenge from the mysterious “Green Knight,” who offers to take a stroke from any knight’s axe provided the other knight agrees to return the blow a year and a day later. Gawain agrees and then beheads him; the Green Knight rises, takes up his severed head, and tells Gawain it is time for their scheduled meeting. Gawain fights to uphold his agreement, displaying chivalry and devotion along the way, but his honor is put to the test when the lord and lady of the castle where he is a guest put him to the test. This poem contains a religious narrative. Three literary works correlate in that they touch on the Christian faith and trust in a higher power.

The Dream of the Rood follows a major theme that there is suffering and that bad things do happen; however, there is God, and one day he might save someone if they trust in him. Firstly, to explain Christian faith and trust in a higher power, Dream of the Rood describes the story of the tree that was used to crucify Jesus (Swanton, 1970). Even in the presence of God, the impulse to murder persists, but it is now renamed a sacrifice. The tree takes pride in the fact that it was selected to take part in the death of Christ because it is God’s will, rather than suffering the fate of the other trees that refused to do God’s will. Also, when the first speaker in The Dream of the Rood experiences the dream or vision, it explains the role of the Christian religion in the story. The speaker’s perspective on Christ shifts as he moves from desiring to spend time with others and regain his friendships to devoting himself entirely to Christ. The speaker’s perspective on Christ shifts as he moves from desiring to spend time with others and regain his friendships to devoting himself entirely to Christ. By saying, “I look forward constantly toward that time the Lord’s rood which I beheld before here on this earth shall fetch me away from this fleeting life and bring me then where bliss is eternal to joy in Paradise” (Swanton, 1970, line 135-140),” the first speaker or dreamer in The Dream of the Rood makes it clear that he prioritizes Christianity above all else. When the dreamer is all alone and has nothing or no one to rely on, the vision serves as a guiding light of faith.

Similar to The Dream of the Rood, Gawain touches on Christian faith and trust in a higher power. Gawain is protected by his faith in God and prayers to Virgin Mary. The narrator states that on Christmas Eve, Gawain “prays with all his might/ That Mary may be his guide/ Till a dwelling comes in sight” (737-739). Until he can locate a place to stay, Gawain begs Mary to look out for him. Over the power of prayer, Gawain is able to float through the dangerous woods, which have intertwined hazel and hawthorn (744-748). Because God is on Gawain’s side, Gawain is able to defeat wolves, bears, serpents, giants, bulls, and wild men of the woods (720-724). Gawain is able to survive potentially fatal encounters with these animals and safely traverse treacherous terrain because of his faith and dedication to Christ. Also, Gawain finds safety and is rewarded for his courage during his journey due to his faith in God. Gawain prays once again to Jesus and Mary for a safe port so he might hear mass (755). With this prayer, a castle that seems as if it has been cut of paper appears, and God, the castle’s ruler, welcomes Gawain with open arms. Gawain is welcomed by servants who clothe him in fine garments, light a fire, and serve him a lavish meal. The residents of the lord’s castle think Gawain was sent there by God because of how wonderfully he is welcomed there. These people say that “great is God’s grace…/That a guest such as Gawain he guides to us here” (920-921). In this story, the hero’s faith in God is rewarded in the end when he receives assistance when he most needs it.

Similar to The Dream of the Rood and Gawain, Beowulf also touches on Christian faith and trust in a higher power. Many core tenets of Christian philosophy may be found in Beowulf, including the idea that man can only live under God’s care and that all good things in this world come from God. Throughout the story, Beowulf prays to God and thanks him for protecting him. “The fight would have ended straightaway if God had not guarded me” (Hall, 1892, 1.4). Beowulf says as he relates his struggles with those of Grendel’s mother. Also, this is illustrated when Beowulf claims that God has most often guided man without friends. Overall, God’s protection is prevalent throughout Beowulf’s actions, and this is facilitated by Beowulf’s faith in God. Also, from Beowulf, it is evident that earthly goods, including wealth and success, are from God. For instance, when Beowulf is about to fight Grendel’s mother in her cave and sees a weapon hanging on the wall, he does not take credit for his perception but acknowledges God as the provider ((Hall, 1892). This depicts trust in a higher power.

Conclusion

Overall, the three literary works, Dream of the Rood, Beowulf, and Gawain, correlate in that they touch on Christian faith and trust in a higher power. The Dream of the Rood demonstrates Christian culture’s principles while gently incorporating Pagan values through by depicting the central event in Christian belief—the crucifixion—in a dream. On the other hand, the hero in Beowulf defeats monsters and leads his people according to both the Warrior’s code of the Pagan culture and Christian beliefs. Furthermore, Gawain explains how Sir Gawain conforms to a challenge from the mysterious and contains religious aspects. In Dream of the Rood, this is evident through the first speaker, whose perspective on Christ shifts as he moves from desiring to spend time with others and regain his friendships to devoting himself entirely to Christ. On the other hand, in Gawain, the protagonist’s faith in God is rewarded in the end when he receives assistance when he most needs it. Lastly, in Beowulf, we see Beowulf praying to God to protect him and thank him for protecting him. This is made possible by his trust in God.

References

Gawain and the Grene Knight, & Tolkien, J. R. R. (1975). Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: Pearl, and Sir Orfeo. Tr. by JRR Tolkien. Houghton Mifflin.

Hall, J. L. (1892). Beowulf, an Anglo-Saxon epic poem: transl. from the Heyne-Socin text (Doctoral dissertation, Heath).

Swanton, M. (Ed.). (1970). The dream of the rood (Vol. 4). Manchester University Press.