Sir Gawain And The Green Knight And Beowulf - 1471 Words

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary states a hero is â€Å"a person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities.† A hero is looked up to for the brave and noble things he or she has done. Although the characters and plots of â€Å"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight† and â€Å"Beowulf† differ greatly from each other, the key themes of each of these works are quite similar. In both tales, the reader meets a hero who is endowed with mental, physical, and spiritual gifts that equip him for the task of confronting his foes. This serves to remind the reader or listener to consider the themes of heroism, as well as the theme of the constant battle between good and evil. By comparing these two works, the reader can come to a fuller understanding of the importance of these subjects as great themes in literature throughout time. The authors of these stories present Beowulf and Sir Gawain as ideals to strive for, with their behavior worthy of being emulated. Even their minor failings serve to emphasize important lessons. In â€Å"Beowulf,† the hero is faced with challenges that are both physical and moral, both of which threaten his life. Beowulf could be considered the ideal hero and king. From an early age, he has proven his worth for both of these titles, and in this epic tale the reader is able to learn his history to see how he came to fame. As an epic hero, Beowulf possesses the qualities of valor, loyalty, generosity, and honor. He fights for the survival of his tribe. Even as a hero, heShow MoreRelatedBeowulf And Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Essay2373 Words   |  10 Pagesjeopardized community. In addition, the courageous hero often becomes the symbolic figure by representing the esteemed cultural ideals of the community. Such is the case in the works Beowulf from the Anglo-Saxon period and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight from the Late Middle Ages. Both heroes Beowulf and Sir Gawain represent certain customs for their respective communities; however, the three hundred and fifty ye ars between these two works contribute to the contrasting views in the definition ofRead MoreBeowulf And Sir Gawain And The Green Knight897 Words   |  4 Pagestwo poems, Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight embody heroic figures. Beowulf, who demonstrates all the characteristics of an ideal hero, is faced with physical and moral challenges that no other man could face during his existence. Beowulf was not only looking to become a hero, he wanted to reveal the importance of establishing identity. However, Beowulf was not the only hero during this time period. Sir Gawain also participates in challenges that define his character. Sir Gawain was indeedRead MoreBeowulf And Sir Gawain And The Green Knight1499 Words   |  6 PagesIn Beowulf, and Sir Gawain, and the Green Knight, we can appreciate the significance of Beowulf and Gawain s reputations because they establish their identities in society. Reputation can be defined as an â€Å"overall quality or character as seen or judged by people† (Merriam-Webster). First, we will discuss how reputations can be interpreted according to the individual. Then we consider what if they were to fail to uphold the expectations of others, and if so, what aspects of their lives would be affectedRead MoreAnalysis of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Beowulf955 Words   |  4 Pages According to Sir Gawain and Beowulf heroic adventures, Sir Gawain has to leave his place by himself to meet the Green Knight and takes a risk on his own way as same as Beowulf who went out from his palace to beat the dragon by himself. However, their calls to the adventures contrast Sir Gawain and Beowulf heroic stories. The first decision is the most significant part of the heroic story that the protagonist has to choose either go out following the call or step away. Expectedly, every protagonistRead MoreComparing Sir Gawain And The Green Knight And Beowulf733 Words   |  3 Pages â€Å"Faith, valor, loyalty, truth...† one can expect these virtues that comprise the Chivalric Code from an orthodox knight in the Middle Ages. The Germanic Warrior Code, on the other hand, governs the warring tribes of Norsemen. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Beowulf as translated by Simon Armitage and Seamus Heaney, the core values of the two codes are respectively personified as the two protagonists. Despite the numerous similarities between these two disciplines, they differ over the existenceRead MoreThe Supernatural in Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight863 Words   |  4 PagesIn Beowulf the supernatural presents instelf in it’s monsters. Grendel, Grendel’s Mother, and the Dragon, all mythical creatures that only exist in tales of fiction. Beowulf also possess another element of the supernatural. The juxstapositon of a strong christian world view against those from the past who were well known pagans. In turn Beowulf positions the monsters in the work as biblical descendants of Cain. In Sir Gawain and Green Knight, supernatural plays a simlar role. The Green Knight isRead MoreComparing Beowulf And Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Essay1762 Words   |  8 Pagesultimately tying in with the theme of the work. Beowulf and Sir Gawain both exhibit what the Anglo-Saxons and the Middle-English viewed as both proper and improper conduct. What the reader encount ers through these two characters, however, involves a paradigm shift between the two cultures, with values, fate and pride leading to demise , reflected in Beowulf contrasting with those, the knight’s code of honor and chivalry, expressed in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. These dissimilar worldviews become apparentRead MoreComparing Beowulf And Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Essay1555 Words   |  7 Pagesideology is, does one value loyalty? Among the many values of the Anglo-Saxons, such as bravery, truth, and honor, above them all stands loyalty. Through an archetypal analysis, one may view how two major works of the Middle Ages, Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, both reflect attributes of loyalty, specifically the testing of one’s loyalty and the consequences of disloyalty, which reflect the behavior and values shared by the Anglo-Saxons and the people of the Late Medieval era. When analyzingRead More Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Beowulf Essay 499 Words   |  2 PagesSir Gawain and the Green Knight and Beowulf â€Å"My body, but for your blood, is barren of worth; And tis I have asked for this folly not fit for a King.† These are the words of a true hero. One who is willing to sacrifice his own existence for the life of another. These are the words and actions of Sir Gawain, a character from the beloved British tale, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Beowulf, another character from an ancient British epic entitled, Beowulf, is also portrayed as a â€Å"heroRead MoreThe Heroes Of Beowulf And Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Essay2116 Words   |  9 Pageswork The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Such narrative poems as Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight represent what the Anglo-Saxons and the Middle English saw as both acceptable and non-acceptable demeanor. Both works possess the same values and beliefs while others, distinctly oppose, something that can be clearly observed through the careful archetypal study of the heroes of Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. In Beowulf, the hero first embarks on his journey when he goes to the