Cultural values of a community reflects the protagonists of literary works through their actions and beliefs. From the Early to the Late Middle Ages, some deplorable and splendid features persist throughout this era. Moreover, Sir Gawain and Beowulf, embark on quests that illustrate their era’s ideals. More specifically, both protagonists demonstrate honorable qualities as well as fraudulent characteristics in accordance with the paradigms of the peoples they represent. Although the quests in Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight take place in varying time periods, corresponding and clashing traits have the potential to become evaluated through analyzing the context of the storyline and archetypes according to Joseph Campbell. At first
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In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Gawain reveals a poor sense of chivalry throughout his initiation. When the temptress advances to Gawain, he fails miserably when he takes a memento from her, breaking the chivalric code (Parfitt). Subsequently, Gawain tarnishes the honor he had left when he refuses to exchange his winnings with the host so he can save himself. In Beowulf, the valiant warrior represents courage to Hrothgar by avenging him for his lost friend. Before Beowulf dives into the lake, he makes sure Hygelac receives his earnings if he does not come back; showing loyalty to his king (Florman). Although Beowulf decides on his actions for the benefit of others, Gawain’s own life becomes the reason for his foolish ways. Based off the interpretations of each hero, the Early Middle Ages have instilled noble qualities among their community considering Gawain’s era deems to be absent of the characteristics Beowulf shows throughout this …show more content…
From the start of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Christianity exists throughout the story: when Gawain’s armour becomes embellished with symbols and prays to Mary for guidance. Sir Gawain has faith in a divine force that protects him from harm. Moreover, the center of Late Middle Age traditions revolves around the “primacy of mercy rather than law as the foundation of true Christian behavior” (Parfitt). Based on the reading of Beowulf, pride is a prominent trait throughout this folk epic. Beowulf unremittingly volunteers himself to battle a numerous amount of monsters, which leads him to his rise to power. Due to his unbalanced ratio of pride to humbleness, this tragic flaw takes him to his death. With the misconduct of pride, it can ultimately be a disadvantage if not
In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Gawain reveals a poor sense of chivalry throughout his initiation. When the temptress advances to Gawain, he fails miserably when he takes a memento from her, breaking the chivalric code (Parfitt). Subsequently, Gawain tarnishes the honor he had left when he refuses to exchange his winnings with the host so he can save himself. In Beowulf, the valiant warrior represents courage to Hrothgar by avenging him for his lost friend. Before Beowulf dives into the lake, he makes sure Hygelac receives his earnings if he does not come back; showing loyalty to his king (Florman). Although Beowulf decides on his actions for the benefit of others, Gawain’s own life becomes the reason for his foolish ways. Based off the interpretations of each hero, the Early Middle Ages have instilled noble qualities among their community considering Gawain’s era deems to be absent of the characteristics Beowulf shows throughout this …show more content…
From the start of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Christianity exists throughout the story: when Gawain’s armour becomes embellished with symbols and prays to Mary for guidance. Sir Gawain has faith in a divine force that protects him from harm. Moreover, the center of Late Middle Age traditions revolves around the “primacy of mercy rather than law as the foundation of true Christian behavior” (Parfitt). Based on the reading of Beowulf, pride is a prominent trait throughout this folk epic. Beowulf unremittingly volunteers himself to battle a numerous amount of monsters, which leads him to his rise to power. Due to his unbalanced ratio of pride to humbleness, this tragic flaw takes him to his death. With the misconduct of pride, it can ultimately be a disadvantage if not