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Comparing Beowulf, Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

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The works of Beowulf, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Lays, and The Canterbury Tales are some of the most important achievement of the medieval period because of their unique qualities of a combination of storytelling through romance. The medieval period was clearly marked by the emergence of writers such as Marie de France and Chretien de Troyes who later influenced a number of medieval writers and modern day writers that we have today. Their work has inspired some such as Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Even with the diversity in the stories romance was a common theme in all these works. Beginning with the coming of birth of the medieval writers and the medieval literature being developed around romance, Arthurian …show more content…

Their epic achievements, humility as well as virtues are grander. These are the same stories and themes that have been explored in detail by the emerging writers. However, looking at Beowulf and Sir Gawain, which are Epics and stories of heroes, they are very short to be considered epic. Their hero storyline with the including of romanism it is clear that the medieval romance tradition was to be followed by the new addition of writers. In their own stories, each of the heroes in both Sir Gawain and The Green Knight as well as in Beowulf they have achieved their storyline objectives. With diversity in their themes their resemblance to the theme of romanticism and heroism is marked with two major characteristics, loyalty to their bloodline. Beowulf clearly depicts the loyalty of the warrior code of the Anglo sexton. These worries are bravery, betrayal, and have grater physical strength. On the other hand, Gawain is clearly depicted as chivalric man who represents the medieval period courage. However, the emergence of the evil monster in the life of Beowulf was an antithesis and anti-romance as Grendel, Grendel 's mother, and the fire dragon. While sir Gawain’s integrity is tested. While Gawain falls for the evil monsters when he of offered the green sash as he fell

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In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight there are many archetypal figures influencing Gawain’s growth as a hero. Gawain must deal with many characters throughout his journey, these dealings reveal many sides of his character and tend to his moral growth. He learns many things from different aspects of the journey but he learns the most from the interactions with the characters. A number of characters in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight play key archetypal roles in the perfecting of the hero’s moral development. The temptress’ actions of seduction towards Gawain as the Lady of the castle, take place over three days, and are three trials Gawain must go through to prove his moral standing.

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506 Words | 3 Pages

There are many archetypes in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight that help Gawain on his hero's journey. While on his journey, Gawain has learns many different lessons while dealing with these characters. As he travels deeper into the “Zone of Magnified Power” (Campbell 71), he develops as an archetypal hero and recognizes the conflict on his community. A number of characters in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight play key archetypal roles in the perfecting of the hero’s moral development. Arthur, the king of Camelot, has become a kind of mentor for Sir Gawain.

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900 Words | 4 Pages

This is shown in the poem where it says “As the end of the year approaches, Gawain leaves on his quest to find the Green Chapel and fulfill his pledge.” Now that I have given the two characteristics that I believe Gawain and Beowulf share that makes them heroes, I would like to name the other traits that they have individually starting with

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1037 Words | 5 Pages

The Heroic Code In his work, Greenblatt discusses the idea of the heroic code, which Anglo-Saxons adopted from the Germanics. According to Greenblatt, ‘Germanic heroic poetry continued to be performed orally in alliterative verse and was at times used to describe current events’ (Greenblatt 6). The heroic code defines how a noble should behave, which is to be courageous, strong, honourable and loyal. These traits are essential and prevalent within poems such as Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight as the nobles want to heighten their reputations. Though both Beowulf and Gawain strive for perfection, they are anything but perfect.

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516 Words | 3 Pages

The tale of Beowulf is one of the most established cases of what society sees as a hero. In spite of the fact that the story was composed in Anglo-Saxon circumstances, the accreditations one would require so to be considered by society a legend continue as before. The Anglo-Saxons believed that a hero was brave and bold, however modest and kind also. They likewise trusted that a legend was astute and noble, in which he would battle until death with a specific end goal to guard his people. Beowulf is portrayed as minding, humane, honorable, and understanding, which makes him appear as though he had each attribute of a genuine

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463 Words | 2 Pages

Comparisons between characters is a way to find similarities between stories. Beowulf was set up during the time that monsters were a problem to man and Beowulf wen to kill the monsters. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a medieval romance set in King Arthur’s castle. Two characters in the stories are strong and arrogant and two characters are loyal to their kings. First off Beowulf has many characteristics that describe him, but great and powerful is one that stands out to me.

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603 Words | 3 Pages

In the epic poem Beowulf, the protagonist, Beowulf, faces three “monsters” at different times in his life. The poem begins with Grendel, a monster who attacks only in the dark of night, tormenting the kingdom of Hrothgar. The last two sections of the epic detail the conquering by Beowulf of Grendel’s mother and the dragon. The battle between the monsters and Beowulf represent the theme of good versus evil in the poem, as well as the fusion of pagan and Christian ideals in the changing Germanic society. Grendel’s mother’s actions directly juxtapose the role of a woman in this time period, and the greediness of the dragon with his treasure contrasts with the virtues of what would be considered a good king.

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Thesis: The role of the Anglo-Saxon Hero in Beowulf represents and defines the values of strength, intelligence, selfness, and courage. Beowulf himself models the culture of the Anglo-Saxon hero, as he is willing to face any odds, and fight to the death for their glory and people I. Strength and physical appearance A. Strength is clearly an important characteristic of heroes in Anglo-Saxon culture and heroic code. 1. The beginning of the story Beowulf is described as having the strength of "thirty men" in just one of his arms. 2.

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1285 Words | 6 Pages

In the poem Beowulf, there is a contrast between good and evil. This distinction is presented through the monsters Grendel and his mother, in parallel to the hero Beowulf. The themes of evil and monstrosity are therefore used in the story, as a way to create the notion of Grendel and his mother as monsters. Beowulf therefore appears as a character representing good. Although Beowulf shows traits of abnormal power, like Grendel and his mother, his motifs are interpreted differently.

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These influences help create a compelling and immersive story that resonates with readers across different time periods. “Lo, the Spear-Danes’ glory through splendid achievements.” Beowulf lines 1-2. This opening line follows the tradition of medieval epic poems by invoking the audience’s attention and setting the tone for a grand tale of heroism and valor. The author of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight also draws on Anglo-Saxon and medieval literature to enrich the

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703 Words | 3 Pages

Given this evidence, it is clear that Beowulf deserves to be labeled as an epic hero. He consistently and evidently displayed multiple characteristics of an epic hero. Beowulf was always on a quest, continously risked his life for glory and the greater good of society, and had superior intelligence, strength, and courage which were the three most crucial reasons that created him to be

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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.

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806 Words | 4 Pages

Beowulf vs Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon all represent a creature from hell and Beowulf is a god-like warrior who ends up slaying evil. “Like a man outlawed/for wickedness, he must await/the mighty judgement of God in majesty” (Beowulf 976 - 978). This quote talks about Grendel and his demonic soul. Beowulf points out that he is an evil creature and no creature ever to exist is powerful enough to smite God. Once Grendel dies, Grendel will be in God’s hands and Grendel will regret ever being evil or committing any evil action to anyone or anything on Earth.

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656 Words | 3 Pages

Stories contain many characters with some that stand out more than the others. A person is considered the protagonist depending on who is telling the story and what story is being told. The protagonist is the main character in a literary work. Whether good or evil, the audience sympathize with the protagonist and understands the motif of the character. Beowulf is a protagonist whose encounters with evil proves him to be a strong heroic warrior.

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665 Words | 3 Pages

Both Beowulf and modern day heroes risk their life for the good of others and are held to a high regard. " Nor have I seen a mightier man-at-arms on this earth than the one standing here: unless I am mistaken, is truly noble. This is no mere hanger-on in a hero's armor”. Beowulf was a considered an epic hero because he did great deeds and was of high importance. While heroes today aren’t usually princes or royalty, they are usually held to high respect like

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