Many Christian and Pagan references are made in the stories, Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The stories depict tales of “good vs. evil”, the temptation, redemption, and salvation of the soul, and Christ like heroines.
In Beowulf, one of the most notable conflicts between Christian and non-Christian behavior is the battle between Beowulf and Grendel. Grendel, “a fiend out of hell” (“Beowulf” 43) is attacking Heorot and killing the Danes because he cannot bare the sounds and songs “of man’s beginnings, how the Almighty had made the earth…” (“Beowulf” 43). A hero, Beowulf, comes to help the Danes and defeat the malignant demon, and save the Danes from the reign of terror. This is emblematic of the classic battle between good and …show more content…
First our protagonist Sir Gawain, like many Christians, is faced with temptation when the beautiful Lady Bertilak attempts to seduce him. Sir Gawain does not give in to the temptations of the flesh, but does later give into temptation by accepting a gift from Lady Bertilak which he believes may save his life in the fight with the Green Knight. Then Sir Gawain commits a sin by lying to Lord Bertilak about the gifts he received that day. Just as a Christian begins their path to redemption and salvation by recognition of sin, Sir Gawain recognizes his sin in lying to Lord Bertilak, and turns to Lord Bertilak for repentance, as a Christian turns to God for the same. Sir Gawain is granted his salvation by Lord Bertilak who says, “I declare you purged, as polished and as pure as the day you were born, without blemish or blame.” (“Gawain” 235) A statement that could be seen as a metaphorical baptism, such as the physical baptism Christians undertake. It is in a human’s nature fall fool to temptations, to sin, to recognize their sin, and seek out redemption and salvation from their sins. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight gives the reader a very accurate depiction of the nature of a Christian
In Beowulf, one of the most notable conflicts between Christian and non-Christian behavior is the battle between Beowulf and Grendel. Grendel, “a fiend out of hell” (“Beowulf” 43) is attacking Heorot and killing the Danes because he cannot bare the sounds and songs “of man’s beginnings, how the Almighty had made the earth…” (“Beowulf” 43). A hero, Beowulf, comes to help the Danes and defeat the malignant demon, and save the Danes from the reign of terror. This is emblematic of the classic battle between good and …show more content…
First our protagonist Sir Gawain, like many Christians, is faced with temptation when the beautiful Lady Bertilak attempts to seduce him. Sir Gawain does not give in to the temptations of the flesh, but does later give into temptation by accepting a gift from Lady Bertilak which he believes may save his life in the fight with the Green Knight. Then Sir Gawain commits a sin by lying to Lord Bertilak about the gifts he received that day. Just as a Christian begins their path to redemption and salvation by recognition of sin, Sir Gawain recognizes his sin in lying to Lord Bertilak, and turns to Lord Bertilak for repentance, as a Christian turns to God for the same. Sir Gawain is granted his salvation by Lord Bertilak who says, “I declare you purged, as polished and as pure as the day you were born, without blemish or blame.” (“Gawain” 235) A statement that could be seen as a metaphorical baptism, such as the physical baptism Christians undertake. It is in a human’s nature fall fool to temptations, to sin, to recognize their sin, and seek out redemption and salvation from their sins. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight gives the reader a very accurate depiction of the nature of a Christian