The battle between good and evil is something writers use to guide their stories. Good versus evil is a common thematic topic within literature, especially early British literature. Good comes in many forms, most often through the actions of the protagonist, whereas evil presents itself in many forms, including inanimate objects. Authors tend to use religion as a basis for good and evil. Many aspects of British literature are representative of the battle between good and evil; the temptation of morals, the presence of magic, and heroes versus supernatural beings are all symbolic of the common battle between good and evil. In British literature, authors use Christianity as a guide for good and evil, and they all seem to interpret the
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In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Lady Bertilak uses her body and womanly charms in such ways that cause Sir Gawain to struggle to remain faithful to the code of chivalry. Sir Gawain is one of King Arthur’s most devoted, pious, and chivalrous knights. With Sir Gawain living by the code of chivalry, he understands that God and faith are the top priority. Lady Bertilak challenges his faith by putting him through a series of temptations in order to test his knightly …show more content…
The three battles in Beowulf give the poem its purpose and addresses the topic of good versus evil. A common theme in all three of Beowulf’s battles is as follows: “he who is steadfast in righteousness will attain to life, and he who pursues evil will bring about his own death” (New American Bible, Proverbs 11.9). In Beowulf, each monster Beowulf battles is defeated because God was on the side of those who were faithful and wanted to punish those who went against Him. Beowulf’s three battles provide concrete examples of the outcome of the battle between good and evil. The poet introduces Grendel, a descendant of “those monsters born of Cain” (1.105-106). Even though Grendel is a descendant of the first murderer in history, his ancestry does not make him evil, but the “resort to violence” in order to get what he wants defines him as evil (Miller 91). Grendel attacks Heorot because the hall is noisy and bothersome. Beowulf sails to Denmark to help the residents and defeats Grendel with his bare hands. Because of Grendel’s selfish and evil behavior, God forces him to face a lonely and untimely
In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Lady Bertilak uses her body and womanly charms in such ways that cause Sir Gawain to struggle to remain faithful to the code of chivalry. Sir Gawain is one of King Arthur’s most devoted, pious, and chivalrous knights. With Sir Gawain living by the code of chivalry, he understands that God and faith are the top priority. Lady Bertilak challenges his faith by putting him through a series of temptations in order to test his knightly …show more content…
The three battles in Beowulf give the poem its purpose and addresses the topic of good versus evil. A common theme in all three of Beowulf’s battles is as follows: “he who is steadfast in righteousness will attain to life, and he who pursues evil will bring about his own death” (New American Bible, Proverbs 11.9). In Beowulf, each monster Beowulf battles is defeated because God was on the side of those who were faithful and wanted to punish those who went against Him. Beowulf’s three battles provide concrete examples of the outcome of the battle between good and evil. The poet introduces Grendel, a descendant of “those monsters born of Cain” (1.105-106). Even though Grendel is a descendant of the first murderer in history, his ancestry does not make him evil, but the “resort to violence” in order to get what he wants defines him as evil (Miller 91). Grendel attacks Heorot because the hall is noisy and bothersome. Beowulf sails to Denmark to help the residents and defeats Grendel with his bare hands. Because of Grendel’s selfish and evil behavior, God forces him to face a lonely and untimely