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Anglo-Saxon Belief In Fate And Christianity

The Unity of the Unknown and the Eternal Security: The Anglo-Saxon Belief

in Christianity and Fate Imagine a life in which one is simply a pawn at the

hands of a mysterious higher force stumbling and meandering through life's

tribulations. Until Pope Gregory the Great was sent to spread Christianity

throughout England, the Anglo- Saxons believed solely in this passive,

victimizing philosophy. These pagans still clung to much of their heathen

culture after the wave of Christianity swept through England leaving no one

behind. Literature derived from this period (including Beowulf, "The Seafarer,"

and "The Wanderer") directly reflects the maintaining of Christian ideals, as

well as the belief in fate's unknown and often grim path. For example, the epic

poem, Beowulf , declares, "...Fate will unwind as it must!" (line 284).

Meanwhile, the same work implies God has the authority in this great world

by stating, "And all his glorious band of Geats/Thanked God their leader had

come back unharmed," (598-599) as if God was the deciding factor in the

great protector's health. The joining convincedness in God and fate influences

the culture, outlook on life, and the various independent life paths of Anglo-

Saxons. These early Germanic people believe "fate"- an anonymous power -

controls the present, future and past; yet, they also believe the power of God

is a resolute supremecy not to be denounced. Our earliest warriors put aside

their heroic independence and let wyrd's foreign agency control their views

and their lives' paths time and time again. These pagans even allow destiny to

influence their view of life which was fatalistic and desolate. "The Wanderer"

proves the Anglo-Saxons had little to live for and much to fear as it tells the

tale of an anonymous man stripped from his gold-lord. This literary work

illustrates stoic solitude and grim hopelessness by using phrases like, "...what a

bitter...