Both the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf and the Medieval romance Sir Gawain and the Green Knight chronicle heroes proving themselves in battle, though the protagonists are inspired by vastly different motives, largely due to the influence of their respective societies. Each poem conveys the idea of honor, success, bravery and heroism to the reader, as the protagonist endures separate quests and challenges. Sir Gawain is presented as a noble knight who embodies admirable attributes while serving his kingdom. Beowulf displays the qualities of a perfect hero on a grander scale as he triumphs in events of great magnitude and though both heroes honor their commitments to their rulers, Beowulf’s integrity remains unwavering.
In Sir Gawain and the Green …show more content…
Deciding that it was not fitting that the King should fulfill such a “foolish” task, Sir Gawain offers to take Arthur’s place in the game, thus proving his loyalty to his King. It is this strong loyalty that sets Gawain apart from the other Knights of the Round Table, as he is the only one willing to sacrifice himself for their leader. Similarly, Beowulf possesses several distinct traits that allow him to be defined perfectly as an ideal Anglo-Saxon hero: inhuman strength, courage, and loyalty. He is said to have the strength of thirty men, proof of which is shown by the dismemberment of Grendel’s arm as “the bleeding sinews deep in his shoulder snapped, splitting and breaking the muscle and bone”. Once again, later in the poem, Beowulf’s strength is shown during the retrieval of Grendel’s massive head and the hilt of the sword that “no ordinary man could lift” from his mother’s underwater lair. Additionally, Beowulf shows his loyalty when he rushes to the aid of …show more content…
By defending the Danes from Grendel, his mother and the dragon, Beowulf repays his family's debt to Hrothgar while obtaining glory in the process. Beowulf battles the evil Grendel to prove his heroism to Hrothgar and his kingdom as he slays the beast. As a warrior, Beowulf cares deeply about his reputation and craves glory since it is the only way he can be granted immortality. Furthermore, by coming to the assistance of the Danes in their time of misfortune, Beowulf is able to gain honor and payment for his own king, Higlac, back in Geatland. He is proud to lend his loyal services to Hrothgar, thus further heightening his fame. Near the end of the epic, Beowulf sacrifices his life in order to save his people and defend his reputation. He insists on fighting the dragon alone and chooses to die as a warrior, because he “longed only for fame”. The Green Knight tests the knights’ code of chivalry by proposing the Christmas game. Sir Gawain refuses to allow King Arthur to participate in the game, since it means certain death for the player. Gawain sees himself as a knight of insignificance and wants his king to be spared, so he takes the king's place. He believes King Arthur’s death would be devastating to the community. His allegiance to his leader is what causes him to put his life on the line, thus proving that he is a powerful and
In Sir Gawain and the Green …show more content…
Deciding that it was not fitting that the King should fulfill such a “foolish” task, Sir Gawain offers to take Arthur’s place in the game, thus proving his loyalty to his King. It is this strong loyalty that sets Gawain apart from the other Knights of the Round Table, as he is the only one willing to sacrifice himself for their leader. Similarly, Beowulf possesses several distinct traits that allow him to be defined perfectly as an ideal Anglo-Saxon hero: inhuman strength, courage, and loyalty. He is said to have the strength of thirty men, proof of which is shown by the dismemberment of Grendel’s arm as “the bleeding sinews deep in his shoulder snapped, splitting and breaking the muscle and bone”. Once again, later in the poem, Beowulf’s strength is shown during the retrieval of Grendel’s massive head and the hilt of the sword that “no ordinary man could lift” from his mother’s underwater lair. Additionally, Beowulf shows his loyalty when he rushes to the aid of …show more content…
By defending the Danes from Grendel, his mother and the dragon, Beowulf repays his family's debt to Hrothgar while obtaining glory in the process. Beowulf battles the evil Grendel to prove his heroism to Hrothgar and his kingdom as he slays the beast. As a warrior, Beowulf cares deeply about his reputation and craves glory since it is the only way he can be granted immortality. Furthermore, by coming to the assistance of the Danes in their time of misfortune, Beowulf is able to gain honor and payment for his own king, Higlac, back in Geatland. He is proud to lend his loyal services to Hrothgar, thus further heightening his fame. Near the end of the epic, Beowulf sacrifices his life in order to save his people and defend his reputation. He insists on fighting the dragon alone and chooses to die as a warrior, because he “longed only for fame”. The Green Knight tests the knights’ code of chivalry by proposing the Christmas game. Sir Gawain refuses to allow King Arthur to participate in the game, since it means certain death for the player. Gawain sees himself as a knight of insignificance and wants his king to be spared, so he takes the king's place. He believes King Arthur’s death would be devastating to the community. His allegiance to his leader is what causes him to put his life on the line, thus proving that he is a powerful and