Beowulf Compared to Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Essay

Both Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight are based on heroic protagonists. In Beowulf, the protagonist is Beowulf himself. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the protagonist is Sir Gawain. Both poems depict the idea of a hero, but differ from the point of view as how the narrator sees the hero. In Beowulf, the narrator illustrates Beowulf as savior of his people, who fights with the evil physically. By doing this, Beowulf exemplifies bravery, loyalty, and honor. In Contrast to that, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the narrator depicts Sir Gawains heroism as chivalry, which is loyalty, honor, courtesy, and bravery. In that, Gawain fights mostly with his emotions rather than fighting with the villain physically.

Beowulf is an epic poem written in the Anglo-Saxon era. In that, Beowulfs strength is the key to heroism. The swimming contest with Brecca, and the victories over Grendal and Grendals mother exemplifies his strength and courage. Moreover, Beowulf shows a keen interest of bragging over the victories he had accomplished. He considers the fate of death as inevitable, and he would fight with anything that brings glory to him. Beowulfs battle with dragon even at his late ages affirms the fact that he never fears the threat of death. Beowulf ventured out to help the Danes with complete sincerity. He set a noble example for all humans relaying the necessity of brotherhood and friendship. In the final lines, the narrator clearly acknowledges Beowulfs true kingship as great among kings, mild in his mien, most gentle of men, kindest to kinfolk, yet keenest for fame.(2794-2796)

On the contrary, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a romantic poem written in the medieval ages. In that, Gawains bravery is first evident when the Green Knight enters King Arthurs Court. First, the Green Knight taunts King Arthur as he hesitates to accept the challenge. Knowing that such a challenge could kill Arthur, the protector of the people, Gawain steps forward and accept the challenge from the Green Knight, risking his own life for the sake of glory. When Gawain stops at Bertilaks castle for a rest, he makes an agreement with the king Whatever I win in the woods at once shall be yours, and whatever gain you may get you shall give in exchange (1107-1108), which shows his honesty. In the castle, Gawain undergoes the posses of courtly love, but brave enough never to fall into the trap. Although Beowulf fights for sake of others, Gawain fights for his own ideals. He shows this by accepting the green griddle for the lady to protect his own life, which undermines his loyalty in the end. The green knight excuses his doing for that he meant no artful wickedness,(2368) but later Gawain admits the shame he caused as a knight, which is also a heroic trait, by wearing the griddle for the rest of his lifetime.

In conclusion, the ages of the stories that they were written has their own meaning to the definition hero. Beowulf is a story that is developed on ripping and smashing real monsters to evince the strength and the courage of a true hero. In contrast to that, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a story that is developed on folklore and courtly love, which only reveals emotional strength rather than the physical strength of a hero.