ipl-logo

Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Vs Beowulf Essay

666 Words3 Pages

In the writings of English literature both attributes and imperfections reflect the heroes values in culture. Along the hero's journey they gain knowledge from wrong to right, where the reader also follows along the quest of reinforcing proper cultural values. In the Late Middle Ages for instance, their honorable deeds and religious beliefs, pagan and Christianity, were highly practiced as an importance to their lives. In Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight both reflect these beliefs of the Anglo-Saxons and Middle-English while others stand in firm contrast, which can be viewed clearly through an archetypal study of the heroes in Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. In the epic poem Beowulf, Beowulf travels to Heorot because …show more content…

Gawain’s resemblance of Christianity portrays his honor towards Camelot he was willing to fight for. On the journey to the Green Knight, Sir Gawain’s mentor is actually the beast who teaches Sir Gawain the importance of chivalry and honesty through a series of tests and trials. Beowulf departs on his journey to Daneland to prove his strength to defeat Grendel to Hrothgar (Beowulf, lines 210-228). While on his journey to Daneland a guard stops him asks, “What kind of men are you who arrive rigged out for combat in coats of mail, sailing here over the sea-lanes in your steep-hulled boat?”(Beowulf, lines 236-240) where Beowulf replies,”We have arrived here on a great errand to the lord of the Danes”(Beowulf, lines 270-271). Hrothgar, Beowulf's mentor, accepts Beowulf's request to defeat Grendel, however teaches the importance to resist being boastful because it will lead to a life that is not gracious (lines 1419-1420). The writings of the Anglo-Saxons in Beowulf, portrays pagan religious beliefs that fate will unwind as it must (line 455), compared to the Middle English writings which conveys Christianity beliefs connected to

Show More
Related

  • Archetypes In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

    1582 Words  | 7 Pages

    Throughout history, every work of fiction that has been constructed has contained a hero that reflected the cultural values of the time. Whether it be Shakespeare or J. R. R. Tolkien, the hero of the tale has not only epitomized these values, but served as a paradigm for heroes in other works of fiction. Beowulf and Sir Gawain exemplify the cultural values of the Anglo-Saxons and the Middle English. Some of these values, such as honor and valor, are reflected throughout the evolution of the Early to Late Middle Ages, although some are replaced, and there is a slight paradigm shift with regard to the nature of the two heroes; this can be clearly viewed when one analyzes the archetypes in Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight in terms

    Read More

  • Comparing Beowulf And John Gardner's Gren

    469 Words  | 2 Pages

    The idea of a hero is explored differently in the ancient Anglo-Saxon text Beowulf and John Gardner’s Grendel. During the time period of both of the stories being a hero is very important to everyone. Beowulf is not a true hero, even if he tries to make himself out to seem like a true hero, based on modern ideas of the Hero. In the poem Beowulf being a hero is very important to the main character Beowulf.

    Read More

  • Beowulf Good Vs Evil Essay

    806 Words  | 4 Pages

    Beowulf is a poem that based in the 10th and 11th century that revolved around the idea of good vs evil. The poem is named after Beowulf who is a supernatural hero that slays any evil that crosses his path but is a real sweetheart when it comes to other people or the king. Beowulf is to be considered an epic poem because the hero in the story creates acts of being courageous and even superhuman in some cases, reflecting timeless values such as courage and honor, and the poem reflects unforgettable values with honor and courage. Typically in an epic poem, one will see a character or “the hero” who has outstanding courage and commit superhuman deeds and show values to other people in that era. “Then he drew himself up beside his shield./The fabled warrior in his warshirt and helmet/trusted in his own strength entirely/

    Read More

  • Similarities Between Beowulf And Sir Gawain

    580 Words  | 3 Pages

    Beowulf must voyage past his homeland to fight Grendel. Gawain must leave Camelot to face the Green Knight. Beowulf never falters in his journey he remains the same from the start till his death. Gawain makes mistakes and grows from them on his journey. He keeps the girdle as a symbol of his sin showing that he learned from the experience.

    Read More

  • Christian Symbolism In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

    605 Words  | 3 Pages

    Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, whose author is unknown, is an Arthurian Romance/Epic that holds a degree of Christian symbolism. These Christian symbols are intermixed with Britannic Pagan traditions and themes in order to appeal more to the common British people at the time of the early Christianization of Britain. This can be supported by the stories of kings being created in the earlier centuries throughout history. In this particular story, this symbolism is important since all the knights of King Arthur’s Court were supposed to follow a certain chivalrous code of conduct, whether present in the courts or away on some other venture. The chivalric code being the embodiment of Christian virtue and valor, which was expected to be personified

    Read More

  • Analysis Of The Epic Poem Beowulf By Burton Raffel

    821 Words  | 4 Pages

    The epic poem “Beowulf”, translated by Burton Raffel, focuses on a hero by the name of Beowulf who goes on a quest to rescue King Hrothgar and his people from an egregious monster by the name of Grendel. This Anglo-Saxon tale gives insight into the values and beliefs of the people from whom the story originated. Their war-centered ideology and views on loyalty and courage were the principles that the Anglo-Saxon culture was founded upon. While warfare was a focal point in their lifestyle, it was far from a savage, barbaric state of fighting. Honor and prestige were bestowed upon those who died during battle and selflessness for fellow warriors was a fundamental belief.

    Read More

  • Similarities Between Sir Gawain And Beowulf

    900 Words  | 4 Pages

    Take what I leave, Wiglaf, lead my people, help them; my time is gone.” Sir Gawain shows that he has loyalty by stepping in for King Arthur in the Green Knight’s challenge, instead of Arthur risking his life. This is stated when Sir Gawain says “ I beseech you, sire, let this game be mine…… and let it fall to me.” This is just one of the two heroic qualities that Beowulf and Sir Gawain share. The other trait that they both share is courage.

    Read More

  • Christianity In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

    1021 Words  | 5 Pages

    Writers of every era and every culture have always been influenced by their surroundings, whether that be the landscape itself or the deeply held beliefs of the people living there. These elements come across in their writings, one of the most commonly seen belief or value that can be found in Early British Literature is Christianity. While most of Britain was once occupied by pagans, after the conversion to Christianity these Christian themes can be found penetrating through every era of literature. The Old English epic poem, Beowulf, draws on Christianity to rationalize some of its supernatural elements, turning the pre-conversion myth into a lesson on faith. The Middle English romance, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, uses mysticism and

    Read More

  • Archetypal Roles In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

    480 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to the hero’s journey there must be a theme, a message the author is trying to get across through the hero’s trials and experiences. The characters in Sir Gawain and The Green Knight play the largest role in getting this theme across to the reader and to Gawain. The idea that being honest and chivalrous is the best way to lead

    Read More

  • Christian Influence On Beowulf

    1466 Words  | 6 Pages

    Critically assess the extent of Christian and Latinate influence on Beowulf. When first reading Beowulf it would appear that the Christian references within it superimpose onto the essentially pagan view that makes a huge body of the poem. Therefore, within this assignment, there will be investigations of inconsistencies. Sources clearly show that Beowulf was written by Germanic pagans that had been debauched by some leftist ecclesiastic wordsmith , to the insistence that the author designedly created the Christian allegory along the lines of Book 1 of The Faerie Queen. It is know that Germanic traditions and techniques were used by Anglo-Saxons to frame Christian literature, just as it was with the poet of Beowulf.

    Read More

  • Beowulf Is A Hero Essay

    626 Words  | 3 Pages

    From all this, we know that the perception of a hero from Beowulf’s time differs from our perception today. As we feel that the intentions define a hero while in Beowulf’s time the reputation and accomplishments are what makes a

    Read More

  • The Knight And Beowulf Comparison Essay

    656 Words  | 3 Pages

    Beowulf risked his life multiple times by battling Grendel and Grendel’s mother to save the people of Denmark. He also embarks on a battle with a dragon as an old man ascending on the Geats Throne. Each battle Beowulf fought has all been for the safety of his people. Although the Knight did not battle as a deed for his people, he also is viewed as a humble person his battles were for a purpose greater than himself. The knight never talks about his brave and valorous deeds.

    Read More

  • Similarities Between Sir Gawain And Beowulf

    849 Words  | 4 Pages

    Beowulf shows a fair amount of bravery in his titular epic. The difference between Beowulf’s bravery and Sir Gawain’s is how his antagonist was already well known and he knew what he was facing, while Sir Gawain’s is not well known and he was going into the situation blindly.. Knowledge prior to battle is relevant because it is less daunting to go into battle with a beast that is well known and predictable, rather than an unpredictable green giant that shows up out of nowhere. In “Sir Gawain and The Green Knight” the author states “Amazement seized their minds, no soul had ever seen a knight of such a kind— entirely emerald green” (Armitage 242). Sir Gawain stepped up to participate in the beheading game with the Green Knight not knowing what he was capable of.

    Read More

  • Paganism In Beowulf

    988 Words  | 4 Pages

    Beowulf took place in the sixth century, in times where “rank and ceremony, human solidarity and culture” were key components of social culture. Glory also played a huge role: “veterans with their tales of warrior-kings and hero-saviours from the past [rubbed] shoulders with young braves,” influencing the latter to strive for greatness (Heaney). Heroism and sacrifice are part of what “gave drive and sanction to the Germanic warrior-culture enshrined in Beowulf” (Heaney). Christianity played a large part in both Germanic society and the poem Beowulf.

    Read More

  • Anglo Saxon Values In Beowulf

    451 Words  | 2 Pages

    Beowulf is an archetypal character within a legendary piece of text. He embodies the conglomerate of many Anglo Saxon values expressed throughout his heroic journey. Contrived by the mighty Northern Anglo Saxons, Beowulf is the manifestation of the Anglo Saxon ideals. This work of art helps us identify and analyze Beowulf’s ideals in a way that lets us deduce the values of the Anglo Saxon society. Examination of this poem lets us familiarize ourselves about a society obsessed with religion, vengeance and war-lust beings.

    Read More

More about Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Vs Beowulf Essay

Open Document