Generosity In Beowulf

Hrothgar's generosity was able to avenge the murder of Heatholaf, revealing that, like the Spear-Danes, the Wulfings greatly admire generosity. The exchange of gifts is a fundamental element of the Danish code of conduct because it upholds the paramount relationship between a king and his followers. Like the male code of conduct in Beowulf, the tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight also exhibits a moral code in another androcentric society. Certain characteristic are valued at both Heorot and Camelot, such as honour. Before his fight with Grendel, Beowulf removes his armour and lays aside his sword, because his opponent has "no idea of the arts of war, / of shield or sword-play" and thus it would be dishonourable for Beowulf to use this to his advantage. At the end of the Green Knight, Sir Gawain is distraught over his violation of honour by keeping the girdle; he regretfully describes "the cowardice and covetousness [he] came to commit" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight 2508). There are …show more content…
(Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, 971-974)
In this exchange, Gawain exudes chivalry and charm. He treats both Bertilak's wife and her attendant with reverence, despite the fact that the latter is described to be a sorrowful sight to behold. A pinnacle of courtesy, Gawain is faced by a veritable moral dilemma when Bertilak's wife puts him to the test to see if he will choice between being discourteous to her or disloyal to her husband.
Heorot and Camelot espouse different male codes of conduct. While they promote certain similar characteristics in their followers, Beowulf values boastfulness, tribal relations and generosity, while the Green Knight places a greater emphasis on humility, feudal relations and courtesy. Interestingly, the protagonists of both tales are represented by their poets as moral ideals whose actions should be emulated for the benefit and progress of