Religion; it has changed the life of billions of people throughout history. Not only does it influence our ideas and morals, but it influences a way of life. The intricate but simple ideas of religion help change the world's thoughts and beliefs as we know it. However, these ideas can construe and ruin the way of life for many people. Though religion plays a role in both Beowulf and The Canterbury Tales, Beowulf’s view of religion while positive and accessible differs from Chaucer’s portrayal. Now, readers clearly read that these books have religion written all over them. For many years, critics have reviewed and gone over the ideas behind the religious aspects of Beowulf (Mazzeno 2). Many scholars believe missionaries added the religious
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Chaucer leaves readers with one young ecclesiastical character that the church has not yet corrupted (Cyclopedia 4). The Parson exhibits the only good-hearted Christian that represents a glimpse of hope within religion (Cyclopedia 4). All the ecclesiastical characters, besides the Parson, have at least one item or trait about them that twists their true nature (Ellis 5). For example, ¨The pardoner tells a sermon on the evils of unnatural love of money. He follows up the sermon with an attempt to sell phony relics to his fellow pilgrims (Cyclopedia 5).¨ Chaucer does a tremendous job in conveying his outlook on the evolution of religion in his society as he shows how corrupt church leaders have turned out (Ellis …show more content…
Beowulf offers religion for everyone (Mazzeno 3). ¨And then as now warrior sung of their pleasure (Holt 13).¨ As readers can see not only the king and wealthy could worship and connect with God, but the warriors and common people could as well (Holt 13). However, in The Canterbury Tales, only the wealthy have the ability to obtain and grow in their religious beliefs (Ellis 2). Most of the ecclesiastical characters possess the ability to indulge themselves somehow, whether they buy the finest clothes, jewelry, alcohol, party, and/or more (Cyclopedia 3-5). Chaucer concludes that the wealthy religious people, then obtain more power as well (Ellis 4). As the result, the ecclesiastical characters develop very little knowledge of the Bible or their proper duties within the church (Ellis 5). Because of this, many readers take a disliking to the ten or so characters from the church in Canterbury Tales (Ellis
Chaucer leaves readers with one young ecclesiastical character that the church has not yet corrupted (Cyclopedia 4). The Parson exhibits the only good-hearted Christian that represents a glimpse of hope within religion (Cyclopedia 4). All the ecclesiastical characters, besides the Parson, have at least one item or trait about them that twists their true nature (Ellis 5). For example, ¨The pardoner tells a sermon on the evils of unnatural love of money. He follows up the sermon with an attempt to sell phony relics to his fellow pilgrims (Cyclopedia 5).¨ Chaucer does a tremendous job in conveying his outlook on the evolution of religion in his society as he shows how corrupt church leaders have turned out (Ellis …show more content…
Beowulf offers religion for everyone (Mazzeno 3). ¨And then as now warrior sung of their pleasure (Holt 13).¨ As readers can see not only the king and wealthy could worship and connect with God, but the warriors and common people could as well (Holt 13). However, in The Canterbury Tales, only the wealthy have the ability to obtain and grow in their religious beliefs (Ellis 2). Most of the ecclesiastical characters possess the ability to indulge themselves somehow, whether they buy the finest clothes, jewelry, alcohol, party, and/or more (Cyclopedia 3-5). Chaucer concludes that the wealthy religious people, then obtain more power as well (Ellis 4). As the result, the ecclesiastical characters develop very little knowledge of the Bible or their proper duties within the church (Ellis 5). Because of this, many readers take a disliking to the ten or so characters from the church in Canterbury Tales (Ellis