Beowulf and Sir Gawain
What makes a person a hero? Is it their strengths? Their morals? Is a hero always a hero, or can a hero be replaced? Throughout history heroes have emerged in literature. An epic hero is a character in literature whose traits are valued in the society in which the epic originated. In the epic poems Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Beowulf is much like Sir Gawain, yet the times in which each was written give both heroes unique characteristics. Originally a narrative poem about an epic hero in sixth century Scandinavia, Beowulf perfectly mirrors the Anglo-Saxon period. During one of the most turbulent times in England, the Anglo-Saxon culture was a warrior culture, violent and often brutal. They were being introduced to Christianity and turning away from the pagan ideas of fate and their belief in monsters. Beowulf is a model of Anglo-Saxon values. He is glorified for being strong, victorious, and of high status. Beowulf thanks God for his victories, but does his deeds for the glory it brings him, as when he as
Grendel in Beowulf is a horrible monster and monsters were a pagan belief, whereas Sir Gawain fights an actual man, making the story more believable for his time. Beowulf's main objective; to stay alive and receive admiration, and Sir Gawain's main objective; to keep his honor. so the phantom and fairy the folk there deemed it" (16-19). ks Hrothgar to let him fight "My hands alone shall fight for me, struggle for life against the monster. God must decide who will be given to death's cold grip. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight has some pagan references, such as the mention of the Green Knight's magic when he enters the hall, "All the onlookers eyed him. Sir Gawain follows the code of chivalry; respecting his king, admiring ladies from afar, and fighting in a honorable way. Like the motivations of Beowulf, Sir Gawain fights to save King Arthur, and to protect the honor of Camelot. He is not only physically strong and good with a sword, but he is courageous, courteous, loyal, and humble. While Beowulf is a foremost example of an Anglo-Saxon hero, Sir Gawain is a leading example of a Medieval epic hero. As the epic heroes became more believable, so did the epic villains. Though both are considered epic heroes, Beowulf and Sir Gawain are considerably different characters in personality, ability, and purpose. When the Medieval period emerged, the epic hero evolved into someone more pragmatic, and so did his motivations.
Common topics in this essay:
Sir Gawain,
England Anglo-Saxon,
Green Knight's,
Christianity Beowulf,
Ruler Earth--,
King Arthur,
sir gawain,
Unlike Beowulf,
Middle Ages,
Scandinavia Beowulf,
Sir Gawain's,
beowulf sir,
beowulf sir gawain,
epic hero,
epic heroes,
sir gawain fights,
gawain fights,
hero sir,
green knight,
characteristics motivations,
medieval epic,
hero sir gawain,
gawain green knight,
christianity beowulf,
medieval epic hero,
|
Acceptance Essays
