Ramirez 1

Cecilia Ramirez

Benjamin Pressley

ENG-241

2 October 2020

Sir Gawain vs. Beowulf

During the Old English (Anglo-Saxon) period and the Middle Ages period were two

major historical sections of English history. These two periods have very distinct aspects of

literature. The epic hero is seen throughout the Anglos-Saxon period, and the romance hero is

during the Middle Ages. These heroes have similar qualities; however, the difference between

the epic hero to the romance hero is extremely evident. Heroes played a very important role in

British Literature during the Anglo-Saxon period and Middle Ages, it set values and

characteristics for several warriors and knights of the time period. What is noble and honorable

isn't an eternal principle common to each time and culture. Like within the qualities that structure

a noble and honorable man. So that a person noble in his own culture could also be considered

disgraceful in another. These cultural differences are seen in the epic poem Beowulf and the

Arthurian romance Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Although, there are not any drastic

differences in the perception of honor in the two works, the values placed on certain qualities

that make up a nobleman like strength and humility differ altogether.

First, in the Anglo-Saxon period, the epic sonnet Beowulf portrays a legendary hero.

Beowulf established the earlier style type of heroism, and which was afterwards introduced into

the English culture. Praised and appreciated by numerous individuals, Beowulf possesses

particular qualities that permit him to be characterized impeccably as an ideal Anglo-Saxon

legend; his keenness to look for glory and fame, instead of wealth and fortunes, his loyalty and
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sleek attitude not only to his rulers but also his followers. A significant piece of being an epic

hero is showing respect to your own family members. In Beowulf, Unferth slaughtered his own

brother. Beowulf, being an epic hero, portrays Unferth's actions to being a coward. This is

probably the worst wrongdoing someone can do in the Anglo-Saxon period. Families are held in

such high respect that for somebody to double-cross their own relative is one of the absolute

worst wrongdoings. Beowulf supports his success with stories including battling ocean beasts,

while he discredits the value of Unferth. Beowulf says,

"You killed your own kith and kin, so for all your cleverness and quick tongue,

you will suffer damnation in the depths of hell. The fact is, Unferth, if you were

truly as keen or courageous as you claim to be Grendel would never have got

away with such unchecked atrocity…" (Pg. 54, Lines 587-593)

Beowulf discusses the lack of Unferth's accomplishments, and he mentions the bad actions taken

by Unferth. Unferth murdered his own sibling, and Beowulf points out that Unferth's actions

have made him unfit to be a hero. This is important because in the Anglo-Saxon period family

always comes first; therefore, a hero will always protect his or her family, and will never harm

his or her own family.

Second, after the Anglo-Saxon period, the Middle Ages period took over. Sir Gawain is a

hero in a Anglo-Norman Romance, a Knight who constantly represents all the qualities of the

time. During the time, people had a strict ethical system, known as the code of chivalry; it was a

set of romanticized characteristics including religious faith, adherence to truth, fortitude, honor,

courage, and gallantry towards ladies. The demands of character were high and enduring, and

Gawain battled to meet them. As Sir Gawain proceeds as he continued looking for the Green

Chapel, he faces various physical difficulties. However, he conquers them all fights with snakes,
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wolves, and so forth. The genuine difficulties come after he shows up at Bercilak's mansion.

There, he is enticed multiple times by Lady Bercilak's advances- - yet he doesn't yield to her

advances, nor scorn her totally in an uncourtly way. Further, he doesn't accept her gift of the ring

which she offers as a memory of their time. However, when she offers her green girdle, saying

its properties of protection:

“For the body which is bound within this green belt, as long as it is buckled

robustly about him, will be safe against anyone who seeks to strike him, and all

the slyness on earth wouldn’t see him slain.” (Pg. 181, Lines 1851-1853)

His most noteworthy adversary is not the Green Knight but himself, as the major conflict is

within: his own dread of death. Gawain overcomes the fear to the extent that he searches out

the Green Knight, honoring the deal. But by taking the girdle he fails. This is the Medieval Era,

it shows a realistic hero, one that almost anyone can be, one with faults and who ultimately

ends up with lessons learned. This is the type of hero Sir Gawain is, one who individuals can

easily relate to.

Furthermore, in the epic poem Beowulf, Beowulf strength is a fundamental

characteristic while in Sir Gawain and the Green knight no mention is made to the physical

abilities of any of the knights of the round table. Over the span of the poem, Beowulf is

lauded various occasions for his ability to perform multiple physical feat of strength, glad for

his ability Beowulf recalls his impressive swimming match with Breka remembering his

enormous strength, endurance, and fortitude on the high oceans. While the epic poem is based

on the retelling of extraordinary deeds the Arthurian romance appears to support modesty and

humility, Sir Gawain as opposed to gloating about his valiance, demonstrations as humble and

says that his passing would be the littlest misfortune so that is the reason he ought to go. If Sir
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Gawain a respectable knight of king Arthur's court said in the lands of Hrogarth that his life

was useless and his death would be an insignificant loss he would not be thought of as

modest, rather deemed dishonorable. An action of such humility would not invoke respect

among the Danes who valued confidence and pride in once self and one's achievements,

rather it will invoke pity. Beowulf then again appearing to be completely respectable on the

grounds of the Dane's would feel estranged in the land of Camelot amongst those who might

think him as prideful, primitive, and greedy. Beowulf's intentions in fighting evil would

appear to be sullied because of the gracious prizes he receives. Although a few characteristics

have a different value in different lands, the similar fundamental characteristics are basic to all

noble and honorable people, these qualities incorporate devotion, bravery, and unselfishness.

Both Beowulf and Sir Gawain are completely faithful to their lands and their people.

Overall, all through both Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the two epic

heroes Beowulf and Sir Gawain demonstrate the time-frame in which they came from and it

decides the ways in which they constantly contrasted. Contrasting throughout attitude, pride, and

honor, the two heroes tell the tale of their time periods. Beowulf is a great legend, as is Sir

Gawain, however that doesn't imply that they should be the equivalent. It could be anything but

difficult to identify with the difficulties of Sir Gawain, though Beowulf is harder to relate with,

yet the two of them took a pledge to serve and secure which is the thing that the two of them do.

In general, the Anglo-Saxon period and Medieval Era achieved a wide range of styles and

characteristics all throughout individuals, particularly in heroes. When time periods change, so

do morals, ethics, and even heroes.

Works Cited

“Beowulf.” The Norton Anthology of English Literature, 10th edited by Stephen Greenblatt and

M. H. Abrams, 2019, Norton, pp. 36-109.

Themes in "Beowulf"., 2003. SIRS Issues Researcher, http://nclive.org/cgi-bin/nclsm?

url=http://search.proquest.comhttps://explore.proquest.com/sirsissuesresearcher/documen

t/2249885543?accountid=12493. 4 Oct. 2020

Tripp, Jr, and P. Raymond. "BEOWULF 301-308: The Mock-Heroic Arrival of the

Hero." English Language Notes, 1998. SIRS Issues Researcher, http://nclive.org/cgi-

bin/nclsm?

url=http://search.proquest.comhttps://explore.proquest.com/sirsissuesresearcher/documen

t/2260251189?accountid=12493. 4 Oct. 2020

Runde, Nan. "A Tale of Wonders." Parabola, Fall, 2002. SIRS Issues

Researcher, http://nclive.org/cgibin/nclsm?

url=http://search.proquest.comhttps://explore.proquest.com/sirsissuesresearcher/documen

t/2250346634?accountid=12493. 4 Oct. 2020