Final answer:
The Christian scribes were key influences on the copy of Beowulf we have today, preserving and recording the text within their cultural and religious framework. Vikings culturally impacted the era but their direct influence on the manuscript is less clear.
Step-by-step explanation:
Some of the influences on the copy of Beowulf we have now include Christian scribes, which suggests the correct answer is A. Christian scribes. These scribes would have been responsible for recording and preserving the text in a manner consistent with their beliefs and practices.
The Norse, or Vikings, also played a significant role in the culture of the period, and although they were known for raiding, they were also traders and settlers who influenced European culture. However, their direct impact on the manuscript of Beowulf itself is less discernible.
The other options, Greek scholars, Persian merchants, and influence from the Islamic world, contributed greatly to the preservation and transmission of knowledge during the medieval period, particularly in areas of manuscript production and the transmission of classical texts, but there's no direct link to the transcription of Beowulf itself.
Therefore answer is A. Christian scribes.