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Heroic Qualities In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight And Beowulf

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Chivalry and Heroic Qualities How would define a hero? What qualities do you believe are utilized in describing heroic behavior? According to Merriam Webster’s Dictionary, a hero is, “a person, typically a man, who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.” Characteristics such as these are included under the Chivalric Code of Honor used in many Middle English poems such as, “The Canterbury Tales”, “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”, and “Beowulf”. The main characters in all of these books are heroic and possess admirable qualities. “Beowulf” is an epic poem written around 700 A.D concerning a hero named Beowulf from Geatland which is current day Sweden. Beowulf’s epic expedition was to assist the Danes in conquering a demon named Grendel and later to defeat Grendel’s mother in her attempt to get revenge. Beowulf …show more content…

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight stated that, “All of his trust upon earth was in the five wounds that Christ bare on the cross.” A hero gains his power through Jesus Christ and serves God. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight stated, “Had he not been a doughty knight, enduring, and of well-proved valour, and a servant of God, doubtless he had been slain, for he was oft in danger of death.” A hero trusts in God always, no matter what feats he endeavors and no matter what will happen. A hero remains brave because he trusts in God.
Additionally, the author of Beowulf states, “Beowulf sought out the dragon, dared it into battle, but could never know what God had decreed.” Sir Gawain and the Green Knight portrays the gallant knight receiving all his power from God and placing his trust in God when he faced difficulties. Sir Gawain emulated Christ’s behavior. “ The hero used frankness and fellowship above all, purity and courtesy that never failed him, and compassion that surpasses all; and in these five virtues was that hero wrapped and

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One example of a hero was Beowulf, he was generous, strong, loyal, brave, and honorable till the end. So, as Sir Gawain shared many of these qualities, it is concluded that the ones they do share, are the qualities that a hero must possess. A hero could be many things, however he has some specific qualities. First comes bravery, because a hero must not be cowardly. Second is loyalty, heros must never stab partners in the back, or abandon them when things are difficult.

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A knight is sworn to fear God and maintain His church. As a Christian we believe that you should always do the right thing no matter the consequences or situation. In the story, Sir Gawain kept his word and went searching for the Green Chapel where he would meet his end so he thought. In search for the Green Chapel, Sir Gawain climbed many a hill and crossed many marsh and river; he battled bears, wolves, and serpents but kept travelling (3). I believe in God, that nothing should come before come before him, and that I should live my life as Christianly as possible.

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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

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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.

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The news of Grendel actually made him want to go to the Danes to battle him. Likewise, Sir Gawain was the only person to volunteer to hit the Green Knight. The Green Knight wanted to see if the king had enough courage to hit him, but Sir Gawain stepped in the way of that. He preferred to do it himself than let the king do it. They both risked their lives by going on a quest for the sake of others.

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In line 117 of The Green Knight, Gawain says “Would you grant me with this grace?” This portrays bravery because Gawain is stepping up in place if his king, risking his head in one year to the Green Knight. This is Gawain's first act of chivalry which is important in shaping what kind of Knight Gawain strives to be. In Morte D'Arthur, Arthur's courage is displayed when King Arthur furthermore fights his son. “But ever King Arthur rode throughout the battle of Sir Mordred many times and did fully nobly, as a noble King should do, and at all times, he fainted never.

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Relations Between Sir Gawain And The Green Knight And Christianity “Sir Gawain and The Green Knight” have a plethora of connections and relations to Christianity all around its story. Some examples could be Arthurian chivalry with the pentangle of Sir Gawain's shield and Mary's face in the middle, the battle between Sir Gawain and the Green Knight which took place inside the chapel of a church, and The Green Knight's decision toward Gawain in showing him mercy. These examples show only few reasons why “Sir Gawain And The Green Knight” have connections and relations towards Christianity. The ideals of Christianity and chivalry are brought together in Gawain’s symbolic shield.

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The majority of Gawain’s noble qualities are due to his code of honor and we will discuss these qualities. Whereas, with Beowulf we will discuss what his noble characteristics

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Courage in her opinion is “A Virtue central to Knighthood” (ALLEN). In the 14th Century, there was a huge public recognition of courage, people wanted to be recognised as possessing it. The Character who possesses the most courage in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is most definitely Sir Gawain

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Sir Gawain and the Green depicts this importance of faith by testing Gawain’s moral and knightly code. Gawain is the epitome of what a knight ought to be, with a strong moral code and an unquestioning faith, which he proudly displays on his shield with the Virgin Mary painted on the inside and the Pentangle on the outside. This faith is soon meet with a test the castle of the lord and his once strong faith in God falters. While Gawain is able to remain innocent when it comes to the seductive ways of the lord’s wife, he is unable to stop himself from accepting her magical girdle that would protect him against any harm, even though it is in opposition to both his faith and his loyalties. Gawain comprises his morals due to fear about his impending encounter with the Green Knight and he give into his fear and takes the magical protection the girdle offers.

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The use of Christian symbolism and themes in "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" adds depth and complexity to the allegorical interpretation of the poem. One such example is the character of the Green Knight, who can be interpreted as a Christ-like figure. Like Christ, the Green Knight challenges Gawain to face his fears and test his faith, ultimately leading to Gawain's moral growth. Additionally, the Green Knight's green color can be seen as a symbol of rebirth and resurrection, further emphasizing his Christ-like qualities. Another example of Christian symbolism in the poem is the pentangle on Gawain's shield, which represents the five virtues of knighthood: friendship, generosity, chastity, courtesy, and piety.

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The definition of a true hero is very subjective as people have their own opinions on what makes someone a hero. Some people might consider someone who does the right thing a hero, for some it may be people who fight for their country. The characteristics of a hero might vary, but in the epic “Beowulf,” Beowulf is sought out to be the hero because of three main traits; his noble cause, code of honor, and his strength and courage. Each of these traits makes up the hero he is portrayed to be. One of the first qualities described in the epic is the act of a noble cause.

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666 Words | 3 Pages

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).

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.This makes Sir Gawain as a relatable hero, opposed to the heroes that are portrayed as godly and infallible. Sir Gawain was not a military warrior with badges, he did not swing a weapon but one at the Christmas games in the beginning. Sir Gawain is considered a literary hero because he was brave for stepping forward to protect King Arthur, his king and uncle. He had faith that led him through his journey into the enchanted forest and into the castle and he did not abandon it. He was noble in being a guest at Lord Bertilak’s, or the Green Knights, castle by offering his services to Lord Bertilak and, resisting temptations, and not sleeping with Lady Bertilak, Lord Bertilak’s

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The code of chivalry contains qualities specific to Christianity, and are displayed by Sir Gawain and the Green Knight in their game. Sir Gawain shows loyalty, and is “careful to be courteous and avoid uncouthness.” The Green Knight shows grace towards Sir Gawain who did not keep his promise and withheld the green girdle. This is the the sole story of the three that portrays grace as an empowering quality of a hero. By this point in Britannic history, Christianity has been around long enough that stories were no longer ‘stolen’ from pagan history, and unlike Beowulf, Sir Gawain’s characteristics are Christ-like.

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