Sir Gawain and Beowulf Essays

Beowulf and Sir Gawain are brave during tough positions because of their customs. While boasting, Beowulf shares that he battled sea monsters and emerged victorious. He says, “I fought that beast’s last battle, left it floating lifeless in the sea” (Raffel, p. 29, line 290). The warrior culture in 6th century Scandinavia is reflected in Beowulf, and displays his strength and courage. Whether he is fighting sea monsters, Grendel, or a dragon, Beowulf shows that he is a legendary hero and is considered superhuman. Sir Gawain reveals his bravery when he is about to face the Green Knight. He states, “but still, no use in fear, I won’t fall dead in fright” (Gardner, p. 160, line 51). Sir

ethics, is great warrior, and is very loyal to his master. Beowulf is also rewarded for his deeds

Beowulf was a well-respected leader in his society, much like my dad is a well-respected leader in my family. Although Beowulf is a fictional character and my dad is very much a real person, they have many similarities in both their character traits and their morals.

Beowulf, like other epic heroes, possesses the following heroic qualities: epic heroes are superhuman types of beings. They show great bravery, intelligence, strength and resourcefulness. They have a strong admiration for the values of their society. They are dominant male figures and suffer severe pain, but in the end, they

The upbringing of children by the environments (parents, relatives, the neighbor next door) in each generation and country differ, and thus produces a unique child for each. The societal environment molds the child and the child becomes a character as he/she grows older. Beowulf and Sir Gawain are extremely different despite the almost similar societies in which each grew up in. The few similarities they share are a small derivative from the religious aspect of their childhood to adulthood. Beowulf and Sir Gawain are both warriors in the sense of fighting for the protection and honor of their kings, but Beowulf struggles to maintain humility in his personality unlike Sir Gawain. Also with religion being prominent in mostly Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, it provides a contrast of each protagonist’s life. In full examination of the two characters, it can be said that Sir Gawain and Beowulf’s motives and actions throughout the story are for the morally right, however, the differences of personality reveal great detail of each’s persona.

Heroes come in many forms. The construction of "the heroic" has taken many forms, yet traits such as: courage, honor, and loyalty, reappear as themes throughout the "hero" personality. The characters of Beowulf and Sir Gawain each represent a version of a hero, yet each comes across quite differently in their story. A hero can be said to truly win if he remains constant to his noble values when put in any situation that crosses his way. When measured by that criterion, Sir Gawain stands out above Beowulf as a true hero, due to his command of both personal and spiritual power through the use of thought, as well as valiant deeds.

Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green knight are tales about two brave heros. In each story, both heroes possess similar traits such as courage, loyalty and honor. While both men are heros in their own stories, they are portrayed differently. A hero may be unchanging to his values when a situation crosses his path. However, I believe when it comes to comparing these two great men, I would consider Sir Gawain the true hero. In my analysis, I will explain how each man was courageous and why I believe Sir Gawain was the greater hero.

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

Beowulf and Gawain are shown as great leaders. Sir Gawain is liked by most people he has met. Beowulf has many loyal followers by his side. Beowulf and Sir Gawain are both brave and loyal. They attempt to honor their kings and kingdoms. Those are all

According to Tom Hanks, a hero is “somebody who voluntarily walks into the unknown.” A hero is someone who puts another’s needs before themselves, is strong, and courageous. Sir Gawain and Beowulf are epic heroes who embody these ideals. Sir Gawain is part of King Arthur’s court, and he is the sole knight who bravely accepts the Green Knight’s challenge in order to protect his king. On the contrary, Beowulf is a warrior and a king. He is constantly battling monsters for the glory and fame. Sir Gawain is more honorable, because he has superior beliefs, motivations, and is more courageous.

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.

Just as Beowulf was an epic hero and Sir Gawain was a chivalric hero, Beowulf is an epic poem and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a romantic poem. Written in two distinct time periods, the two poems also differ in structure and style. Beowulf is written in Old English while Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is written in Middle English. Beowulf is three thousand two hundred words long while Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is about two thousand five hundred words in length. Although Sir Gawain and the Green Knight resembles an epic in its focus of Sir Gawain’s heroic deeds, the romantic poem is lighter in tone. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight also uses five short rhyming lines

While both the characters Beowulf and Sir Gawain are similar in the fact that they are both heroes, each story uses different ways to tell their tale. From going on an adventure, to fighting the enemy, to trying and save a kingdom, both stories contain the good versus bad elements that makes the telling of two brave heroes. One way that both characters are similar is the fact that they both go on an adventure, while showing acts of bravery and selflessness. Both characters jumped at a chance to risk their lives to save their king and earn their honor and respect. However, while both characters are considered heroes, each character focuses on different values. Despite the minor differences each character has from one another, both characters

Sir Gawain and Beowulf have the traits that make them both a hero. Both men possessed bravery that far succeeded that held by the men of their time. With both heroes accomplishing tasks that made the common man falter. In Beowulf, after the battle with the dragon, Weohstan addresses the band of warriors who fled the battle, “Beowulf had little cause to brag / about his armed guard; yet God who ordains / who wins or loses allowed him to strike / with his own blade when bravery was needed.” (Beowulf 2873-2876). Taking it upon himself to kill the dragon, Beowulf, after having suffered a mortal wound, delivers a critical blow to the beast; ridding his lands of the threat and protecting his people when no one else had the courage to take on the task. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Sir Gawain stands and addresses his king, “I am the weakest of your warriors and

There are many similarities with Beowulf and Sir Gawain, but the main one is that they are both considered as heroes. They are heroes, because hero is considered to be someone who passed through many test and battles, be it physical, spiritual or mental to help any person. Beowulf is a warrior who destroyed a monster, called Grendal who eat Beowulf’s guards, and when he tried to grab the warrior Beowulf, he squeezes the hand of the monster until its hand fell off, and he run away and disappear into the darkness. Christmas banquet was what Sir Gawain stared with, but a green knight just entered into the court and challenges him to cut his head off. Beowulf and Sir Gawain are very courageous heroes who have supernatural powers, and a great willpower, who faced many test, and even through trials and tribulations they came out victorious. It should be a lesson to all of society, that if you are selfless and also help others, you will succeed through any struggles and get reward for your effort. Heroes like Beowulf and Sir Gawain will every time flourish in society, educating and