Heroism In Beowulf, Sir Gawain And The Wife Of Bath

In Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight there are two heroes that help the present day reader gain insight into what the hero of the Middle Ages would have held as ideals and necessary triumphs. Beowulf and Sir Gawain each fill a different role within their unique societies. Beowulf is a leader and a savior in times of need, willing to go to any length to help another group of people as well as his own kingdom. Sir Gawain is also willing to rise during moments of trouble within his court but lacks the altruism that is inherent in Beowulf's leadership. Although there are many pursuable comparisons within the two tales, the most apparent between the two heroes are that of faith, the men who encouraged them, bravery and the

outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. I'm going to tell you about a book called in the

Criminals Turns Heroic. In the novel The Outsiders a heroic act was made. This act was made by Johnny, Ponyboy and Dallas (Dally). The heroic act was made in Windrixville, Oklahoma at a worn down church.

Heroism has changed since beowulf yet in some ways stayed the same. There are many characteristics of a hero some are the same and some are different. Some of the strongest characteristics that have stayed the same are selflessness and courage. There are also some that have changed since Beowulf like super strength.

In literature we often see a hero. The hero is often the main character of a who story goes on a quest, faces dangerous risks, and battles good and evil along the way. In the narrative poems Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight we as readers witness two examples of the epitome of a true hero, according to the cultures that produced these works. Beowulf, the Geatish hero of an Anglo-Saxon folk epic, sets out on a quest to kill Grendel, a monster who has caused much chaos in the land of the Danes. Beowulf embarks on this quest for the safety of Hrothgar’s people, but also (and primarily) to further his own fame and renown. In addition, Sir Gawain also exemplifies a true hero for the readers of the Late Middle Ages as he accepts the challenge of the Green Knight and embarks on a hopeless journey that involves presenting his head for decapitation. Even though Sir Gawain contradicts himself in the end because of his disloyalty, he triumphs in the battle of good vs. evil. These archetypal characters both represent a force of “good” within their narrative poems in terms of how their respective cultures defined

Although Beowulf is considered an epic hero and Sir Gawain a chivalric hero, both epitomize the idea of a hero by demonstrating loyalty and bravery. Beowulf is loyal to his lord by refusing to take the throne until Hygelaf’s son, the rightful successor, passes on. Beowulf also exhibits bravery in his confrontation with Grendel by defeating the monster with no weapons. Sir Gawain demonstrates loyalty and bravery to King Arthur by accepting the challenge of the Green Knight when none of the other knights stepped forward. Loyalty and bravery are two qualities characteristic of a hero and no matter what type of hero they were; Beowulf and Sir Gawain epitomized these traits.

Many books that have a hero in it tend to have this common trait called “bravery”. The definition of bravery includes these words: valor, courage, splendor and magnificence. Beowulf, Sir Gawain and the Knight from the Knights tale, all displayed bravery in many of ways. First off, Beowulf the elderly man fought and conquered a disastrous deadly dragon with simply using a sword, no super powers, just raw human talent.

Long-form poems Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight stem from two distinct time periods containing distinguished cultures, values, and ideologies. The Anglo-Saxon age, where Beowulf takes place, was a melting pot of Christian and pagan values. Epic battles, gruesome challenges, ideas of fate and destiny, and personal pride defined their heroism. Centuries later, in the Age of Chivalry, heroes possessed humility, respect, honesty, and integrity. Beowulf and Sir Gawain represent their cultures’ ideals respectively. Beowulf’s masculine demeanour and physical prowess, contrasted with Sir Gawain’s nuanced mental self consciousness, demonstrate an incoherent, often polarizing depiction of Old English heroism, in which neither protagonist fully possesses the values of an ideal hero.

Beowulf’s strength is exemplified many times in the story. Beowulf was said to have “the strength of thirty men in his mighty handgrip.” He fought in numerous battles and returned victorious from all but his last. In his argument with Unferth, Beowulf explains the reason he lost a swimming match with his opponent Brecca. Not only had Beowulf been swimming for seven nights, he had also stopped to kill nine sea creatures in the depths of the ocean. Beowulf is also strong enough to kill the monster Grendel with his bare hands by ripping off his arm. When Beowulf is fighting Grendel’s mother, he is able to slay her by slashing the monster’s neck with a giant sword that can only be lifted by a person as strong as Beowulf. When he chops off her head, he carries it from the ocean with no difficulty, but it takes four men to lift and carry it back to Heorot. This strength is a key trait of Beowulf’s heroism.

The concept of hero is different to many cultures. In history, stories such as Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, are great examples of how these cultures hold their own personal virtues in the highest regard. Beowulf, focuses on courage and the powerful strength qualities that the Anglo-Saxons also reflects. Meanwhile, the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight really respected honesty, loyalty and the basic codes of chivalry. So, therefore, these two tales truly reflect their people's values and qualities. Gawain by being honest, showing loyalty and proving his bravery; Beowulf by fighting impossible beasts, using his own strength to defeat the monster and then going on to tell his great tale. While romantic heroes are full of the admirable attributes of bravery, loyalty, humility, courage, honesty, and virtue, epic heroes exist, perhaps, on a greater scale. Having brave and noble characters involved in events of great magnitude and admired for great and sometimes super-human achievements is what truly creates a true epic hero.

One of the most common aspects of any type of story is a hero. A hero is characterized as a person, typically a man, who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. Hero’s are in most cases faced with a conflict. However, no matter how difficult it may be or how many obstacles he/she may face along the road, the hero will always (almost always) rise to the occasion and come out victorious.

“ A hero is somebody who voluntarily walks into the unknown .” When a hero keeps on going and never stop trying that makes them a hero.When a hero puts there life at risk just to save another life, even though it could mean losing their own that makes them a hero. Someone who goes through great challenges but never stops trying is a hero. Ahero is not someone who gives up or someone who is selfish.Heroism is being selflessness, someone who makes sacrifices, and someone who never gives up.

Ever wonder what it would feel like if you were given the chance to become a hero? Would you risk your life to save others? A hero is an ideal human that is admired for their courage, achievements, and abilities to face their greatest fear. Beowulf and Sir Gawain are great examples of heroism who defend their honor and their people. Unlike Beowulf who is a king and the Sir Gawain is King Arthur’s nephew. Both characters defeat their obstacle to prove their loyalty to society no matter if it’s costing their lives. The character of Beowulf can be seen, with great simplicity, as a man of bravery. Beowulf’s dealings with the monster rooming around and Beowulf without so much as a pause for a plan continues to take action among either the

During the Middle Ages, two 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 indeed a hero, but he was mostly concerned with maintaining his reputation, which sets him and Beowulf apart when it comes to being the most ideal hero. Beowulf and Sir Gawain are both models of strength and bravery as they achieve deeds in order to bring glory to their king. As both men try to establish a heroic title, Beowulf gained better recognition because he was a hero to his not only his king, but to his entire society.

A hero is one who is not only strong, but one who uses his strength to uphold others. A hero is humble, philanthropic, magnanimous and selfless, a humanitarian at best. In the unprecedented epic Beowulf, the tale’s namesake exemplifies every characteristic befitting an Anglo-Saxon hero. He is honest, loyal, and courageous. He portrays these characteristics in the battle against Grendel, the affray with Grendel’s mother, and the fight against the dragon that inevitably ended his life.