Essay on Made to Order Hero

Heroes comes in all different shapes and sizes. This is clearly seen when comparing the heroes in the stories of Beowulf, Cuchulainn’s Boyhood Deeds, Lanval, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. For example, Beowulf and Cuchulainn both share traits of a hero; however, have drastic dissimilarities.

Beowulf and Sir Gawain both step forward to solve each king’s plight in order to protect the king’s honor and to show loyalty dignifying traits of a proper warrior of both eras. The Anglo-Saxon warrior fights for Hrothgar out of loyalty and Sir Gawain takes the danger of fighting for King Arthur to protect the King’s honor. Sir Gawain takes the “proactive” step in accepting the challenge presented by the Green Knight because of the extreme

The story of Sir Gawain works on an opposite level from that of Beowulf. Just as Beowulf emphasizes outward strength, the character of Gawain stands as a paradigm of inner strength as a path to outward glory. The battles Gawain fights occur inside his mind. The chivalric code is one concerned with honor and duty within a society of corruption and sin. The role of chivalry was one concerned with example. A chivalric Knight, such as Gawain, must abide by the inner code of morality in order to remain true to his self, his lord, and his God. Sin, for Gawain, would begin in the mind, and lead to dishonorable deeds in the outside world. Throughout Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Gawain travels on a path which is as much one of inner contemplation, as it is of actual travel. We see Gawain at the beginning of his journey being,"...faultless in his five senses,/Nor found ever to fail in his five fingers,"(640-1). Gawain’s traits being likened to the five wounds of Christ sets up his eventual fall from the very start. However, like Christ, Gawain is reborn to a new life through the "scratch" the Green Knight gives him (2312). From that small wound, Gawain realizes that he cannot live up to the perfect image of chivalry he has sworn to uphold. To Gawain, this wound comes very close to being the death knell of the entire moral system Gawain has dedicated his life to.

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

Superman, Wonder Woman, Spiderman—what do all these characters have in common? They are all products of the human aspiration to be saved. The word hero is passed around too much these days. A hero is not a football player that scores the game-winning touchdown or the goaltender who saves his team from a loss. A hero is usually an ordinary person that did extraordinary things. A true hero is really never a hero at all; at least not in their own mind. However, there are various cases today in which we see the exact opposites of these characters, the anti-heroes. The anti-hero is one who cannot be classified as a hero, for that said character lacks natural heroic qualities. However, the anti-hero cannot be described as a villain either.

Gawain is said to be skilled in fighting, but does not boast about his battles and accomplishments like Beowulf does. This might be because he has not fought as many epic battles as Beowulf or because he is more humble about his deeds, though his reluctance to accept the Green Knight’s challenge would suggest that the former is more likely.

If one hundred people were asked the meaning of the word hero, each of them would have a different definition. The word hero has several definitions based on the fact that the definition varies based on the person who is being asked. The late author, poet, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou defines a hero as “… any person really intent on making [the place they live] a better place for all people” (Zevallos). Her definition pinpoints why Beowulf and Reverend Al Sharpton are both heroes. Even though Beowulf and Reverend Al Sharpton were born in different time periods and places, they have more differences and some similarities.

Both heroes face defeats near the end of the stories: Beowulf is physically poisoned by the dragon’s lethal venom and cannot leave the barrow alive; Sir Gawain is morally dismantled when the Green Knight reveals his true identity and exposes Sir Gawain’s fear for death. Sir Gawain decides to keep the girdle, the very object that symbolizes his sin, so that it serves as a reminder that “the frailty of his flesh is [his] biggest fault, the touch of filth taints his tender frame”(Armitage, 183). If pride ever assumes dominance over Sir Gawain again, this girdle would “lessen [his] ardor” and restore his modesty(Armitage, 183). In contrast,

Although Gawain and Beowulf share many similarities, their characters are almost complete opposites. Both aim for some sort of fame, one more than the other; differing in the way they attempt to achieve this success. Gawain remains true and looks to humility to guide him, whereas Beowulf is very prideful and selfish, loving nothing more than boasting about his virtues. Regardless, both go through tremendous changes throughout their quests, dealing with repercussions, and many challenging obstacles along the way.

The idea of a hero can be interpreted in a variety of ways. Growing up, there are many outlets that teach about what a hero is. If a child were asked what a hero is, they would probably describe a super hero because that’s what they’re exposed to. If a teenager were asked, they might describe a tragic hero like Oedipus Rex because that’s what they’re learning about at school. In Stephen Marche’s article “We Are All Heroes” he explains his belief that the idea of a hero has been diluted to essentially nothing. He is being so critical about the idea of a hero because he wants the audience think about a bigger picture. This article is used as social commentary on the way we are raised where it’s drilled into everyone’s head that there no losers and

With both characters facing different challenges in their lives, there are some differences that define them personally. Beowulf is a different kind of hero and this story connects to people in different ways because he is a hero without many flaws. Sir Gawain, on the other hand, does make mistakes, which is part of why he is an endearing hero to readers. Beowulf is humble, and never seems to make a mistake. He is perfect in every way to his people, both physical, spiritually, and he always seems to come out victorious in very battle or challenge he is faced with. Sir Gawain’s mistake is that he lost some of his faith in the end and it shows his more human-like characteristics, which is sometimes more appealing. In the article Sir Gawain Andrew states, “he gives up his faith in the Lord by wearing a green sash [belt] which the lady of the castle says will protect him” (“The MY HERO Project”). This shows that although Sir Gawain is brave, he still has his doubts and wants to do what he can to survive. While both of these characters are portrayed as heroes in literature, they related to readers in different ways. Beowulf’s perfection is

Throughout Beowulf’s story, he sets out to face his enemy. From going on a journey to find Grendel’s mother (1492-1924), to facing a dragon (2516-2280); Beowulf’s story is not of one where he stays in one location, but is a story that takes place at various locations as Beowulf sets out to face his enemy. In comparison, Sir Gawain sets out to face his enemy, the Green Knight. However, the difference between Beowulf’s journey and Sir Gawain’s is that fact that Beowulf went on a journey to face his enemy out of bravery, while Sir Gawain does so because of the code by which he lives by (1-490). The code of chivalry that Sir Gawain lives by is the primary reason he goes on a journey to honor the bet he made with the Green Knight, whereas Beowulf does it more so out of his own will with no obligation. For he is more vocal about his accomplishments as shown when he tells his version of the swimming race (301-709). Beowulf is quick to go on a quest for battle thinking as though he is the only one capable one to for the job; Sir Gawain on the other hand will go to be battle as though it is his duty, and obligation, due to him being a knight. Even though both Beowulf and Sir Gawain go on an adventure for different reasons, they both set out on an adventure to battle with their enemies, and become the

Heroes are those who have gone above what the average person would do to ensure the welfare of others. Natural disasters, terrorism, poverty, and war are some of the many things that destroy and end people’s lives. Throughout history, many people have made a difference. However, as history progresses, what we consider to be socially normal changes along with our definition of a hero. In Ancient Greece, Theseus, Hercules, and Perseus were considered heroes, but today only Theseus and Perseus would be considered heroes because Hercules would be shunned by society.

To start, Beowulf and Sir Gawain have moral characteristics in their own way. Beowulf was a mercenary, he fought and died for his people all to defeat evil creatures and save his troops. Sir Gawain dealt with a code of conduct that he had to live by, Sir Gawain was not involved in too many battles, while Beowulf was in blown out war. While Sir Gawain are both examples of moral characters, Beowulf is portrayed as a warrior while Sir Gawain is portrayed as a more progressive

Screams filled the air. Only then did Jessie Grant realize they were his. He had been having this dream for some time, his dad’s and mom’s death. Before they boarded a cruiser when he was seventeen, his parents were his best friends, now he had nothing.