Many pieces of literature have religion woven into the pages. These stories are important
for future generations to piece together the history of religion. Both Beowulf and Sir Gawain and
the Green Knight have specific religious elements that visualize the role of religion in their
respective societies. Beowulf offers both pagan and Christian values, while Sir Gawain has
Christian values. The paganism and Christianity of Beowulf, along with the Christianity of Sir
Gawain and the Green Knight, play a prominent role in the telling of both stories.
Paganism and Christianity in Beowulf
Beowulf has both pagan and Christian aspect in its text. The Anglo-Saxons were pagan, but
were slowly converting to Christianity around the time …show more content…
The following quote demonstrates the number of times God is
mentioned in the story. “After a boy-child was sent to Shield, a cub in the yard, a comfort sent by
God to that nation. He knew what they had tholed, the long times and troubles they’d come
through without a leader; so the Lord of Life, the glorious Almighty, made this man renowned”
(Beowulf 12-17).
The pagan values in Beowulf is slightly more subtle. One of the examples of these beliefs is
the term ‘wyrd’, which means fate. Pagans believed that ‘wyrd’ was the fate they earned in life.
It is arguable that one of the most prominent examples of paganism in Beowulf is the concept of
revenge. Revenge is one of the driving themes in Beowulf. Pagans had a strong belief in reaping
revenge on those who wronged them. The concept is clearly portrayed in the story by Grendel’s
mother, “Wise sir, do not grieve. It is better to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning”
(Beowulf 1251-1254).
Christianity in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight has strong Christian beliefs. The story was written at a
time when Christianity was the dominant religion in Europe, “By God, I’d be glad, if it
for future generations to piece together the history of religion. Both Beowulf and Sir Gawain and
the Green Knight have specific religious elements that visualize the role of religion in their
respective societies. Beowulf offers both pagan and Christian values, while Sir Gawain has
Christian values. The paganism and Christianity of Beowulf, along with the Christianity of Sir
Gawain and the Green Knight, play a prominent role in the telling of both stories.
Paganism and Christianity in Beowulf
Beowulf has both pagan and Christian aspect in its text. The Anglo-Saxons were pagan, but
were slowly converting to Christianity around the time …show more content…
The following quote demonstrates the number of times God is
mentioned in the story. “After a boy-child was sent to Shield, a cub in the yard, a comfort sent by
God to that nation. He knew what they had tholed, the long times and troubles they’d come
through without a leader; so the Lord of Life, the glorious Almighty, made this man renowned”
(Beowulf 12-17).
The pagan values in Beowulf is slightly more subtle. One of the examples of these beliefs is
the term ‘wyrd’, which means fate. Pagans believed that ‘wyrd’ was the fate they earned in life.
It is arguable that one of the most prominent examples of paganism in Beowulf is the concept of
revenge. Revenge is one of the driving themes in Beowulf. Pagans had a strong belief in reaping
revenge on those who wronged them. The concept is clearly portrayed in the story by Grendel’s
mother, “Wise sir, do not grieve. It is better to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning”
(Beowulf 1251-1254).
Christianity in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight has strong Christian beliefs. The story was written at a
time when Christianity was the dominant religion in Europe, “By God, I’d be glad, if it