Today we're all about separation of church and state, but back in medieval England, religion was the foundation for everything and church and state were BFFs—hence the Pope calling for a war and the king making sure it happens. That being said, the side of religion we see in The Book of the Lion isn't so much about personal salvation or a spiritual relationship with God. It's more about daily life and government, as well as identity, particularly in terms of who is Christian and who is not.
Questions About Religion
- Which characters use religion as a way to pass judgment, and which characters use it as a way to guide their own behavior? What patterns do you notice among these two groups of characters?
- Based on your reading of the book, does the Crusade seem different than other wars because it is "holy"? Why or why not? Give specific examples to support your assessment.
- Do you think that Rannulf is a Christian like the others, even though they don't mention it in the book? Why or why not? What evidence supports your understanding?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Edmund's investment in morality helps us understand the role of religion in his world.
Even though religion is abused by some, the fact that everyone in Edmund's society is part of the same religion helps establish structure.