Comparing Beowulf's Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

A hero is a character that is ubiquitous. Likewise, the hero character was present in both the Anglo-Saxon and English chivalric romance time periods. This character is defined as one who exemplifies noble characteristics—honor, leadership, strength, and chivalry. In both the epic Beowulf and the romance Sir Gawain and the Green Knight two heroic beings arise. Beowulf and Gawain represent two contrasting views of a hero, but at the same time both convey traits treasured by their respective societies. Beowulf can be viewed as a stereotypical hero, while Gawain is shown to be a more complex character. This is demonstrated through the character’s quest to accomplish heroism, characteristics set forth, and the flaw each hero encompasses.

In the epic Beowulf, the hero is Beowulf himself and he sets forth to destroy the horrific and gruesome monster, Grendel. His quest is influenced by the Anglo-Saxons of the time period, who valued prestige, strength, superiority, and recognition. Beowulf’s society is primary focused on status and the deeds that one completes to show his/her strength to the kingdom. The stereotypical hero is Beowulf as the people around him solely judge his actions; these are the people that determine his righteousness in society. Anglo-Saxon culture shaped Beowulf’s quest into something that was meant to boast about. While the epic Beowulf embarks on the great deeds, superiority, and physical abilities of an individual, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight depicts the more intricate quest Gawain takes on. This chivalric romance demonstrates humility, bravery, and the honor to serve under King Author. Unlike Beowulf, Gawain acts for someone else, King Author. He steps up as the green knight arrives by saying, “Gentle lord, give me your permission to leave this table and stand in your place there”(Gawain 127). This sets forth the 14th century romance idea. Gawain is not acting on a personal, but on the support of his superior King Author. The force behind his quest is much larger than himself, while Beowulf takes his quest on a personal

The main component of Beowulf’s personality is his arrogance and boasts. My people have said, the wisest, most knowing and best of them, that my duty was to go to the Danes' Great king” (Beowulf 16). This quote is from Beowulf’s speech that solely talked about himself—his strengths and greatness. Beowulf never sees a problem with his boasting because that is what Anglo-Saxons did during that time period. Throughout the entire story Beowulf constantly is trying to improve his reputation among the kingdom. Gawain, opposed to Beowulf, lives by the code of humility and honor under the kingdom, in which he survives. Beowulf demonstrates honor and courage when he stepped up to take King Author’s spot in the beheading game against the Green Knight. This proves him to be King Author’s highest knight and the loyalty he has not only to King Author himself, but also his duties as a knight. Both are similar in the extent to which they will risk their lives for their accomplishments. Gawain and Beowulf risk their lives when going on their quests in each story. Gawain knows that as he travels to find the Green Knight the outcome will most likely be death. Beowulf is fighting people, such as Grendel and Grendel’s mom, with his bear hands; he realistically knows there is a chance both monsters could potentially kill him. With different personal characteristics both hero’s are putting their life