Combination of religious and s
Combination of religious and secular elements in Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight In this essay I will point out, on the one hand, the elements of the pagan warrior society and the Christian elements in Beowulf and, on the other hand, the contradiction of the heroic code with religious elements in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. In Beowulf there is an important value of human relationship in the pagan society, based on relationship between the warriors and the king. Warriors are protective and loyal to his lord who provides them with food, drink and various gifts for their brave deeds. The meaning of the gifts is not only materialistic but also spiritual. However, there are two main plots in Sir Gawain that are of significant importance: the seduction of Sir Gawain by a lady and the hunting scenes of Bertilak which are parallel and the mortal blow of the hero. Beowulf is introduced as courageous, bold, noble, extremely strong, the bravest of all men and has a very good reputation. The chivalrous code is very important in the pagan society. The warriors are estimated by the good deeds that they perform for their king and for return he provides for them. The relationship between a warrior and a k
The poet refers to the Old Testament where God is the creator of all things on Earth and only with God's will people can preserve their lives. Gawain reacts in the same way as the hunted animal. The lines of the pentangle are joint together and continuous (endless knots). It is of red colour with "endless" golden knots and it contains a picture of Virgin Mary on the inside. This behaviour goes astray from his religious beliefs. " (Norton 45) While we see references to Cain and the devil which are both Christian elements, we are told that they are sent by fate, a pagan element. On the third day, the lord hunts the fox. However, the story of Beowulf is interwoven with many elements of Christian religion which seem to be very important for the pagan society especially when performing the deeds. Beowulf, the courageous hero of the Danes, seeks for help of God when he performs good deeds for the king. and God in His mercy, has sent him to save us " (line 369), says Hrothgar when he meets Beowulf. But eventually he evades the temptation by giving her a kiss which he then also gives to the lord of the castle. The poet also tells us that courtesy consists of liberality and loving-kindness and continence or sinlessness. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is on the surface an entertaining story about adventures of Sir Gawain.
Common topics in this essay:
Green Knight,
Sir Gawain,
Earth God's,
Virgin Mary,
Cain Testament,
Pater Ave,
Bertilak Gawain,
Knight Beowulf,
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Christmas Eve,
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pagan society,
english literature,
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secular elements,
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religious secular elements,
sent fate,
castle day lord,
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Acceptance Essays
