Bewulf vs Sir Gawain
Beowulf and Sir Gawain appear in the epic literature of the Anglo-Saxons. Beowulf, written by an unknown author, was first recorded in the eighth century. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was written by the Pearl Poet in the thirteenth century. Beowulf and Gawain are warriors, yet they differ. Beowulf and Gawain travel on quests for different reasons, they carry out there quests in unique ways and Beowulf is always fearless while Gawain has weak moments. Central to both stories is a quest. Beowulf is from the land of the Geats; he hears of a monster Grendel, who is ravaging the meadhall of King Hrothgar. "Killing as often as he would, coming alone, bloodthirsty and horrible" (80). Beowulf immediately takes a group of strong men across the sea to Hrothgar's meadhall to end Grendel's on going assault. Sir Gawain is a knight of King Arthur's court. One day a man dressed in green comes with a wager. "He challenges any knight there to agree to exchange one blow for another...the stranger says he will stand the first blow" (158). To prevent King Arthur from accepting the challenge, Gawain takes his place and chops off the head of the Green Knight. "He picks up his green head, repeats his challenge, and gallops off with
Both are labeled heroes, but differ from each other. Beowulf in his war like fierceness seems to be a superman. On the way to seek out the Green Knight, he stayed at a castle instead of forging ahead to find the Green Knight. "He sprang from the man with a leap to the length of a spear" (157). "That sash you wear by your scabbard belongs to me; my own wife gave it to you, as I ought to know" (199-200). Beowulf is a fearless warrior while Gawain tries to be brave, but allows his fear to overcome him. Beowulf presents us with a direct and bold execution of the task which is the heart of his quest. Beowulf and Gawain travel on a quest, yet the reasons bringing forth their quests are unique. On the other hand, Gawain does not portray the same war like characteristics as Beowulf. In addition, the plot of the story at different times give us the since of aimlessness in Gawain, due to the fact that he is lost. After hearing this, shame overcomes the aimless Gawain. Though both go on a quest, there is a great difference, Beowulf's quest has to do with his obligation to help a friend of his father, who is in grave danger of Grendel's pillaging of his meadhall, thus he feels an obligation to end it. He almost took up with the Lord of the castle's wife when the lord went hunting.
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