The Contrast Between Beowulf and Sir Gawain PDF

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Beowulf is an epic. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a romance. In what ways is Beowulf, our epic hero, different from Sir Gawain, our romantic hero? How does 'the hero's journey' apply to our romantic? How do these two heroes represent the values (courage, humility, leadership) of their respectiv...

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Charles 1 Tamara L. Charles Response 1, Question 1 The Contrast Between Beowulf & Sir Gawain Beowulf, and Sir Gawain and The Green Knight, are two tales with contrasting heroes. Beowulf and Sir Gawain, the two heroes in their respective times, display similar characteristics but in different ways. Each hero faces completely different challenges, tests, and monsters, and each struggles to overcome them in different ways. Although each tale involves the hero’s journey, and in one, it may be more relevant, both heroes fight monsters, and their battles serve distinct purposes, whether it is to teach a lesson or to prove a point. Beowulf’s standing as an epic hero is shown through his ability to defeat Grendel and Grendel’s mother in battle. Gawain’s relationship with the Green Knight tests his abilities to balance his code of chivalry and his natural impulses. By undergoing testing during his journey, the romantic hero learns from his experiences; Beowulf, on the other hand, remains a true epic hero throughout his journey. In comparing Beowulf, the epic hero, and Sir Gawain, the romantic hero and their respective journeys, it can be seen that although they share the qualities of courage, humility, and leadership, they are all represented differently amongst them. Sir Gawain is a hero of an Anglo-Norman Romance, a Knight who represents all of the qualities of that time. There was a strict moral system, referred to as the code of chivalry; it was a collection of idealized qualities, including: religious faith, bravery, honor, courage, loyalty, and chastity, etc. The demands of character were high and unwavering, and Gawain struggled to meet them, but he was always deemed highly reputed among others, “So good a knight as Gawain is rightly reputed, In whom courtesy is so completely embodied” (Winny, p.169).

Charles 2 Beowulf is a different type of character, from a different time; he is an Anglo-Saxon hero, and as such, personifies qualities of similar, but different nature. Similar to Gawain, Beowulf is “the courageous one” (Luizza, p. 66), he is honorable, loyal to his King, he however is also, boastful, proud, and possesses impeccable strength. In this time period, it is important to be proud, and to boast, so that whoever hears your name is aware of the power that you possess. Beowulf t akes place in a world of bloodshed, and confident boasts, where such a trait is important. When Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother, and returns with Grendel’s bloody head, he is seen as“daring in actions, honored in fame, battled-brave hero” (Luizza, p. 1646). Beowulf lives in a society where one needed to prove themselves, warriors had to go out searching for glory, seeking to create a powerful reputation for themselves, that is the reason why Beowulf boasts, it is almost like it is in their blood. These desires are what set Beowulf on his path to Heorot, and began his epic journey. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight , the importance is placed on deeds, and staying morally kind. In this time, it was one’s honor and righteousness that were the qualities sought after, the knights were chivalrous and were looked up to by many. The knights search for qualities shown in behaviour and deeds, not the deeds themselves “Devoid of all vice, and will all courtly virtues adorned” (Winny, p. 152). The hero’s journey is one that after a victory, the character is transformed, and Sir Gawain, after his long journey is changed morally. Beowulf remains the same, undefeated and proud (up until the battle with the dragon). A hero's journey consists of several stages. No journey is the same, therefore the stages in each hero’s tale may differ. In the two journeys of our different heroes, they are somewhat similar. The call to adventure, and crossing of thresholds is evident in both pieces; however, there are still key differences that separate the two pieces. Both heroes share the same starting

Charles 3 point in their journeys. Beowulf, and Sir Gawain, are both called to an adventure. Beowulf sets out to Denmark, to aid the King and his people, after he hears of Grendel. Sir Gawain challenges the Green Knight and was reluctant to accept the call, and that hesitance sets Sir Gawain into the next step of “refusal of call”. Beowulf on the other hand, did not demonstrate any act of refusal, he simply "commanded to be made a good wave-crosser, and said he would seek out… the renowned prince who was in need of men" (Luizza, p. 64), as a response to the distress call from Denmark. Beowulf and Sir Gawain have committed to their quests, and in response, they receive assistance from others that will aid them throughout the journey. Sir Gawain's Christian background acts as an aid during his quest to seek out the Green Knight. His shield with the "pentangle" gives him the courage, and confidence he lacked during the beginning of his journey, in order to continue (Winny, p. 152). With the idea of God in mind, this puts Sir Gawain in the next stage known as the “meeting the mentor” stage. Beowulf on the other hand, did receive help in the form of the King; however, it was not supernatural, thus causing the hero to skip the phase. As their journey progresses, both heroes find themselves crossing the first threshold into the field of adventure. Beowulf completes this stage by challenging Grendel "if he dare to seek out a war without weapons" (Luizza, p. 70). Beowulf was entering a new territory in regards to Grendel. The monster's limits were unknown, and Beowulf had to rely on his skill to lead him to victory. Beowulf was confident that he could defeat Grendel with his bare hands. Sir Gawain, on the other hand crosses the first threshold as he travels. He visits places he had never seen before, and that alone puts him in a dangerous realm. The heroes separate from their known worlds when they enter more dangerous territories. Sir Gawain does this when he spends his cold nights

Charles 4 with little to no food. He prays to God for help and a castle appears before him with "splendid pinnacles fitted into them, wonderfully tall, topped with carved crocketing" (Winny, p. 157). Sir Gawain on the other hand reaches “returning the boon”. Although he did not kill the Green Knight, or die an honorable death, he was still seen as brave by the people of Camelot. It is evident that the hero’s journey is much more relevant in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, b ut despite the differences in the journeys of the heroes, they still share some similar qualities. In the time period that Beowulf was written in, there were different standards for what qualities and morals a hero should have. This being explained through Beowulf, and Sir Gawain, as they share the same values but in different ways. Beowulf’s most prominent feature is courage. He could not “turn aside his woe - too great was the strife, long and loathsome, which befell that nation” (Luizza, p. 64). Beowulf boasts about leaping into battle with no hesitation when he departs to kill Grendel, he shows no fear, and claims “I will not kill him with a sword” (Luizza, p. 70), he proposes that he will use his bare hands to slay him. His courage is seemingly founded on showing off his strength, “I consider myself no poorer in strength” (Luizza, p. 70), he does this as a means of boasting, in this day and age, a characteristic that is a necessity in a hero. Sir Gawain, does not display courage in the same manner, as he was reluctant at first, in volunteering to take King Arthur’s place against the Green Knight. When the round table was challenged by the Green Knight, nobody stepped forward, they were all shocked and terrified. It is here, where Gawain finally steps up in place of his King, “I beg you in plain words to let this task be mine” (Winny, p. 145). This courageous act from Gawain came from his loyalty to his Uncle, King Arthur, as he felt “this affair is so foolish and unfitting for you… it should fall on me” (Winny, p. 146), as part of his knightly code, he will serve his King. Beowulf is not without

Charles 5 flaws, of course, he is proud and boastful but lacks humility seen in Sir Gawain. Sir Gawain is always humble, as it is a part of his chivalrous code. He never brags about his accomplishments, he actually tells Arthur that “my death would be least loss,” (Winny, p. 147) when convincing King Arthur that he should not be burdened by this foolish task with the Green Knight. Beowulf lacks this virtue, and again, it was expected of people in his time to boast about their accomplishments, so that they are proven worthy of their strengths and power. Both characters represent leadership, Beowulf proudly takes the lead on the hunt for Grendel. He takes on this task without any hesitation, as he knows he is strong and can defeat him. Beowulf is a lone traveler, he believes that he does not need any help. In contrast to Gawain’s journey, he goes on his journey alone, only because there is no other option, the Green Knight claims that he must endure it himself “you will seek me yourself” (Winny, p. 147). Gawain’s leadership qualities are found where he models for others. He is chivalrous, and courageous, and proves to be worth something, he is greeted at the castle with the utmost of respect, “and I truly believe that you are welcome, sir, to stay as long as you please” (Winny, p. 157). As seen, the two heroes represent these qualities in many different ways, but they may be more similar in character, than they originally appeared to be. Beowulf, and Sir Gawain are two great heroes of their respective times. Each tale is unique, and therefore different variations of characteristics were introduced. Beowulf, as the epic hero, always has a reason to fight, he wants to protect people, but at the same time, longs for heroic acknowledgement. Sir Gawain, the romantic hero, remains humble and faithful in his endeavours, and is tied to his code of chivalry. Through each test, and battles won, the two heroes deemed themselves worthy, the journey they embarked upon, especially in Sir Gawain

Charles 6 and the Green Knight, r eflected their values and showed how they ultimately proved themselves. In saying this, the many contrasting ideas help to distinguish that Beowulf is an epic, and Sir Gawain, is the romantic hero in their respective times of literature.

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Works Cited “Beowulf.” The Broadview Anthology of British Literature , Broadview Press, 2015, pp. 62–103. “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.” The Broadview Anthology of British Literature , Broadview Press, 2015, pp. 136–200....