Preview

Comparing Beowulf 'And Sir Gawain'

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
419 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Comparing Beowulf 'And Sir Gawain'
Heroes, small or epic have had an impact on literature through the ages and have shaped classic Characters Such as Macduff from The Tragedy of Macbeth by Shakespeare, Beowulf from Beowulf, and Sir Gawain from Sir Gawain and the green knight by Pearl Poet; Going over parts of their stories might explain the influence heroism has had on literature from the past. First, MacDuff from the tragedy of Macbeth. MacDuff the mighty hero who stood up to their tyrant for his loved ones and for the country he loved. He led an army of ten thousand men to lay siege upon Macbeth’s castle this quote telling what he said to the tyrant right be for the final dual,” My voice is in my sword thou header villain…” (Shakespeare, 381).These words shows a Great will …show more content…
Beowulf even defeated a dragon in his old age now that portrays power. Finally, Sir Gawain from Sir Gawain and the green knight. This depicts a knight who took a challenge that at face value, seemed like an easy win but, when the impossible became possible he did not waver. This quote that can be used to explain the courage it took for him to win at his challenge,” Sir Gawain laid hold is axe and lifted it high into the air…and then swiftly he slashed the naked neck.”(Pearl poet 161).To be able to do that without any hesitation requires intense courage sure what happened after that separates the men from the Hero’s. The person who had his head liberated from his shoulders got up picked up his head and walked up to do the same to Sir Gawain but he did not blink and through his courage his finished the challenge triumphant. Without the ideas of heroism these characters be it there will, power, or courage would have been extremely different if the even existed at

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Beowulf, the protagonist of the epic poem, shows bravery in many situations. One way bravery is shown is when Beowulf fights Grendel without any armour. “ Find Quote” This quote shows Beowulf’s bravery because Beowulf was willing to fight a monster that everyone was afraid to fight by himself. Next in order, Beowulf shows bravery again when he’s fighting Grendel. “ Quote Here”. I chose this quote because many were killed by Grendel , but Beowulf still fought Grendel to protect his army. Lastly, Beowulf displays bravery when he crosses the ocean. “ Quote Here” . I chose this section of the epic because, Beowulf crossed the ocean without hesitation. The bravery that Beowulf had allowed him to fight without armour, fight Grendel, and to cross the ocean.…

    • 316 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Differences are more common than similarities when Beowulf is compared with Sir. Gawain. The Similarities are small things like both lead characters are renound heros, both characters have fought galiantly in many battles, both characters are mighty warriors, both characters were considered perfect by their society's standards. The differences on the other hand were major things like Sir Gawain was a knight and remained a knight, therefore was subject to his king. Beowulf, on the other hand, started as a subject of kings, even though he was admired by kings, yet he eventually became a king himself. Another major difference is in the spiritual realm. Beowulf, as with all warrior societies, seemed to rely on spiritualism and ancient spells or relics. Whereas Sir. Gawain was a knight, and as such maintained a devout christian faith relying only on God.…

    • 509 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf Bravery Quotes

    • 114 Words
    • 1 Page

    Beowulf shows an extreme amount of bravery in this poem in all of his accomplishments. He takes on many obstacles and fails to never back down from those challenges. “No strength is a match for me” (Beowulf line 267). This quote shows he has confidence going into any kind of battle with a big chest. A monster only thinks it has an advantage. “Fate let me find it’s heart with my sword, hack myself free” (Beowulf line 288). Even though Beowulf is in a tough spot he fights to gain an edge. Battle after battle Beowulf finds way to keep fighting and gain an advantage on enemies and come out on top with confidence.…

    • 114 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Throughout history, different cultures have held different virtues in the highest regard. The Anglo-Saxons, like the anonymous scop of the poem Beowulf, valued strength and courage over any other quality. On the other hand, the earliest English people, like the poet of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, respected honor and the basic codes of chivalry over all else. Both Beowulf and Sir Gawain, therefore, display the most favored qualities of their people: Beowulf by defeating monsters, performing great feats of courage, and telling of his deeds; Gawain by being loyal, brave, and honest. Both sets of qualities are displayed throughout each tale.…

    • 819 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hero and Essay 1-beowulf

    • 921 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Being courageous is one of the first qualities that sets a hero apart from a common human being. Being courageous means to stand up to adversity without fear, to continue to forge on regardless of the daunting things one faces. Beowulf was not shy about showing his courage. When he hears of Grendal’s torment to Hrothgar’s kingdom, Beowulf races to their aid. He does not hesitate when he asks permission of Hrothgar to slay Grendal. He knows thus far, they have been unable to defeat the demon. When Grendal comes to the kingdom that same night, Beowulf, using no weapons other than his bare hands, looks -Grendal in the eyes and rips off his arm, causing him to be mortally wounded. (Lines 750-820) This passage of Beowulf is a great example of what it means to be…

    • 921 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Essay Example on Beowulf

    • 667 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The next virtue displayed by Beowulf is courage. He was fearless of all, and displayed this courage throughout the epic tale. The first display of courage was the fact that he was willing to fight Grendel. Grendel was terrorizing a neighboring country and Beowulf elected to rid the country of the menace. Not only did he fight Grendel, but he did it with unarmed hands. Another tale of Beowulf’s courage was when he chose to fight the dragon. He was an older man, but he vowed to protect his people. It is stated that he says, “I risked my life often when I was young. Now I am old, but as king of the people. I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning…” (p. 1688). Although Beowulf seems to know what lies ahead, he fights the dragon anyway.…

    • 667 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    “I’ve never known fear; as a youth I fought, In endless battles. I am old, now, But I will fight again, seek fame still, If the dragon hiding in his tower dares To face me.” Line 2511-2515 Page 103 It is true that Beowulf considers the glory and the spoils to the victor are the goals, but he relies on his old youthful ways of preparing for a fight. Still, Beowulf, however he chooses to prepare, realizes he is older and perhaps not as ready to battle. “The noble prince would end his days on earth, soon. Would leave this brief life, but would take the dragon.” Line 2341-2342 Page 97 Although, he see the spoils of the battle, for Beowulf it is simply a mechanism to do battle. Beowulf is simply gearing up, posturing if you will, and using his old ways to conjure up the strength, that he knows his is lacking, to defeat the dragon. In the end, the hero’s life will come to end and to give his life, slaying the dragon, in an effort to protect his kingdom, pales in comparison to the riches of the dragon’s lair and is the most courageous and noble of…

    • 896 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Gawain Vs Beowulf

    • 500 Words
    • 2 Pages

    During the Anglo-Saxon era, heroism played a crucial role. Society was based on a heroic code that expected individuals to exhibit attributes of a honorable warrior. The heroic code implied a set of principles, which emphasized on the valour of an individual. An hero must possess traits such as: immense courage, loyalty, and willingness to sacrifice themselves to save their people. In “ Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” and “ Beowulf,” there are many similarities as well as differences between the heroic figures. Sir Gawain and Beowulf define and set the standard for the Anglo-Saxon heroes because of their heroic traits. They are strong, brave, and loyal.…

    • 500 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf Comparison Essay

    • 706 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Beowulf is a 1060 epic poem about a hero who defeats Grendal, a monster who terrorizes Herot, where King Hrothgar lives in Denmark. Beowulf also defeats Grendal’s mother in the poem and a dragon at the end of the epic. The author of the Beowulf poem is unknown. Imagine if the Beowulf movie was exactly like the Beowulf poem. The moviegoers who read the poem would become uninterested because they would already know what’s going to happen next. In every movie version of a book or poem there always is going to be similarities and differences.…

    • 706 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Beowulf shows many behaviors that are heroic. For example, Beowulf had enough courage to come to the land and say to King Hrothgar that “I Beowulf will kill Grendel with my bare hands”. One example where Beowulf shows strength was when he was hanging onto Grendel, Grendel started to jump around and tried to fling Beowulf off, Grendel failed to get Beowulf off so it ended up Beowulf killing the monster by ripping his arm off. This makes Beowulf so strong and also courageous because he defeated a monster that no one else could. Another example of bravery that Beowulf showed was when he went to go slay the dragon. Despite his bravery and strength Beowulf is not a true hero because he lies about his feats, and exaggerates about how he battles.…

    • 381 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In the opening of Beowulf, a difference is seen between two characters, Hrothgar's warriors and Grendel. Hrothgar's warriors are loyal to their leader and are vow to fight boldly to the death for Hrothgar. Grendel is a demon descended from the biblical Cain, the oldest son of Adam and Eve who killed his brother Abel. That difference is sound. The speaker uses sound to describe the disparity of the two characters: "A powerful monster, living down / In the darkness, growled in pain, impatient / As day after day the music rang / Loud in that hall, the harp's rejoicing / Call and the poet's clear songs" (1-5). Grendel is annoyed with the music and the poetry; so he growl in pain impatiently. The growling is a communication tool that is primitive and is also a disorganized sound.…

    • 427 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The first characteristic of an ideal epic hero is courage and bravery and this is because it not only is hard to come by, but these heroes possess just the right amount. Although Beowulf and Sir Gawain are taking on two different tasks, they both have an ultimate goal of earning the honor of their kings and their countries. It is easy to be arrogant and have too much pride when you are trying to gain honor and respect, but Beowulf and Sir Gawain do what they do with dignity and deference. “He leaned/Forward: ‘Hear me,/ My lord. Let this challenge be mine…” (Raffel 340-342) Although at one point, the seemingly inevitable loss of his life becomes too hard to bear, Sir Gawain hides his distress and takes a challenge – ultimately leading him toward defeat. Even with the littlest bit of doubt and the tiny undermining detail that he does not have much experience, he does not let anything get in his way and he willingly pulls through. Beowulf, on the other hand, does however have experience and yet again, he accepts his challenge as he always does. “Beowulf got ready; donned his war-gear, indifferent to death, his mighty, hand-forged, fine-webbed mail would soon meet with the menace under water” (Heaney 1442). Beowulf and Sir Gawain bury their fear and accept the challenges bestowed upon them, no matter having had experience or not.…

    • 1599 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the poem, Beowulf show stunning bravery as he defeats evil. For instance “None have ever more openly- and yet you offered no password, no sign from my prince, no permission from my people for your landing…” Beowulf showed up unannounced to help the Danes in defeating the evil Grendel that was terrorizing the people. “As his words ended, he leaped into the lake, would not wait for anyone’s answer; the heaving water covered him over for hours he sank through the waves...”…

    • 498 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf

    • 680 Words
    • 3 Pages

    One of the element of the code of Chivalry illustrated by Beowulf was courage. Beowulf proved to be courageous many times throughout the course of the poem. One example of Beowulfs courage is when he battles Grendel. Grendel is “a demon grim” who has terrorized king Hrothgars kingdom for 12 years. When Beowulf hears of Hrothgars troubles he sails to the land of the Danes to help. Beowulf shows his courage by choosing to fight Grendal with his hands only. Beowulf said “ With hand grip only I’ll grapple with Grendel/ foe against foe I’ll fight to the death” (lines 342-343) This was courageous of Beowulf because he puts his life on the line. As a result of the fight Beowulf tears Grendels arm off, which brought some relief to Hrothgars Kingdom.…

    • 680 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf as a Epic Hero

    • 962 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Beowulf has a strong belief in fate. If he dies in battle he believes it's because it is his destiny to do so. "Fate will unwind as it must!" He realizes the dangers but fears nothing for his own life. This is what makes Beowulf a true hero. Even after serving his people as King of the Geats for fifty years, he goes to battle in hopes, or fate, to destroy a dragon who is terrifying all of his people. At this point however, Beowulf is old and tired but still manages to defeat the dragon in order to protect his people. The most heroic of traits within Beowulf is that he is not afraid to die. He always explains his death wishes before going into battle and requests to have any assets delivered to his people. "And if death does take me, send the hammered mail of my armor to Higlac...". Beowulf is a hero in the eyes of his fellow men through his amazing physical strength. He fought in numerous battles and…

    • 962 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays