What role does religion play in the Viking TV series, and how does it create conflicts between characters?

The Viking TV series depicts the Viking Age, a time when religion played a significant role in Norse culture. The show portrays the religious beliefs of the Vikings and how they impacted the daily lives of the characters. In the series, the Vikings worship a pantheon of gods and goddesses, including Odin, Thor, and Freyja, who represent different aspects of life and death.

Religion creates conflicts between characters in the show, as their beliefs often clash. For example, the Vikings believe in Valhalla, a paradise reserved for warriors who die in battle. This belief leads them to pursue death on the battlefield, as they view it as a way to secure a place in Valhalla. However, this clashes with the Christian beliefs of other characters in the show, who view death as a natural occurrence that leads to heaven or hell.

The differences in religious beliefs lead to conflicts between characters and even wars between different societies. For example, the Vikings' raid on the Christian monastery at Lindisfarne is motivated in part by religious differences. Similarly, the conflict between Ragnar Lothbrok and Jarl Borg in the show's second season is fueled by religious tensions between their societies.