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Beowulf And Gawain Analysis

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Expectations for Self
Perfection has only ever been obtained by one person, and it certainly was not Beowulf or Gawain. It is funny to think that the idea of perfection is achievable, let alone try to achieve it. Beowulf’s role as the ‘perfect’ lord and Gawain’s role as the “perfect” knight are two examples where we see mortals trying to accomplish flawlessness, when flawlessness in humans is totally ludicrous. Though Beowulf’s and Gawain’s intentions are good in striving for perfection, they can never really live up to the expectations and standards they have set for themselves. Beowulf and Gawain, thwarted by their downfalls as the ideal lord and knight, are perfect in the eyes of the people, but will never be in their own eyes. Because …show more content…

Age has gotten the best of him, but nevertheless he wants to fight. Finally, he gives his last formal boast in the mead hall saying, “In boyhood I braved bitter clashes; still in old age I would seek out strife and gain glory guarding my folk if the man-bane comes from his cave to meet me” (3. 2212-2215). Rash and unflinching, he leaves to go and conquer the dragon. When he leaves he takes weapons, but they cannot save him. Knowing his strength is not enough anymore, he gives the battle his all, but he cannot survive it. Even with the help of young Wiglaf, a reflection of Beowulf’s younger self, he fails to uphold the ideal image set in his mind because he has been conquered finally by the dragon (3. 2419-2429). In the eyes of his people, though, he has been the ideal king and dies the most honorable death there …show more content…

. . for brave vows [Arthur] yearned to hear made,” but Gawain, whether out of humility or fear, maintains his knightly status and makes no formal boasts. The reason for his silence is probably because he knows that he cannot back them up. Finally, a year has passed and he must leave to find the Green Chapel, so he armors up to leave on his journey. One of his admirers says to another, “Before God, ‘tis a shame that thou, lord, must be lost, who art in life so noble!”(2. 674-675). The onlooker’s comment shows us that the people adored him and thought it unnecessary for Gawain to give up his life. It also proves to us that Gawain was, indeed, an ideal knight from the prospective of the people. He wants to honor his agreement even if he must sacrifice himself to do so.
On his journey he makes another agreement with a king that lets Gawain lodge with him. The king says, “. . . we’ll make an agreement: whatever I win in the wood at once it shall be yours, and whatever gain you may get you shall give in exchange” (2. 1106-1108 ). Gawain upholds his reputation as the perfect knight by accepting the king’s offer and participating in

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In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the code of chivalry affects Gawain's actions throughout the story. The code of chivalry that Gawain tries to follow is one of loyalty, courtesy, and courage. He shows his loyalty to Arthur at the beginning of the story, when the Green Knight challenges “any in [the] house”(286) to accept his game, everyone remains silent. He goes on to insult and laugh at Arthur and everyone else, which results in Arthur having to accept the challenge and “lay hold of [the Green Knight’s]

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The main theme of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is the journey to maturity of Gawain, the hero. During the passage, Gawain goes through three tests on his development. First, Gawain shows courage and resourcefulness when he volunteers to take the Green Knight’s challenge instead of Arthur doing so. Second, Gawain shows authority, self-restraint, and integrity when he denies the sexual endeavours of the lady of the house. Lastly, Gawain shows bravery when he faces death by keeping his meeting with the Green

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Most important is that Beowulf, as part of the pagan history of Britain, believes in Fate: "if ever the end of ills is fated,” (Murphy, line 280) “heroes such as the hest of fate,” (299), “Forced of fate, he shall find his way,” (1005). Sir Gawain has Christian beliefs and is under the chivalrous code of a knight. Beowulf and Sir Gawain are clearly honorable heroes, and the best warriors of their time. However, this make it difficult to compare them to heroes of a more modern

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After Gawain comes clean and acknowledges his sin, the Green Knight praises him for being an honorable and chivalrous knight. He then invites Gawain to a great feast, but Gawain humbly states that he must return to his duties and continue to defend and protect King Arthur and his subjects. Sir Gawain even thanks the Green Knight and wishes him well after this frightening test of honor. He says, "I've reveled too well already; but fortune be with you; May He who gives all honors honor you well," (401-402).

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Sir Gawain shows loyalty and humility when he makes the decision of honoring the promise he made with the Green Knight. This humility drives him to set off to pursue the Green Knight to honor the pact they agreed on. On his arrival at the Green chapel, he calls the Green Knight who emerges to greet him and to fulfill the terms of the contract (Cathell). Sir Gawain presents his neck voluntarily to the Green Knight who feigns two blows (Cooke 4). This is a commitment and a sign of piety that Gawain manifests.

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Gawain expresses his largess in lines 375 through 380 in The Green Knight: “But go on man, in God's name, and get to the point! Deliver me my destiny! For I shall stand to the stroke and stir not an inch.” This is preceded to be another act of chivalry due to Gawain's honor of fulfilling his in-cowardly promise and the strength of asking the Green Knight to determine his destiny. Although Gawain is expected to die, he is willing to do it for his king which proves his dedication to the code of chivalry.

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In this time period a knight’s honor was everything, without it the noblemen would become a huge disgrace. Sir Gawain’s honor is immediately tested at the beginning of the poem. He gives his word in the beheading game and intends to keep it even though it’s obvious that the Green Knight had tricked him. “Blood gutters brightly against his green gown, yet the man doesn’t shudder or stagger or sink, but trudges towards them […] gripping his head by a handful of hair. Then he settles himself in his seat with the ease of a man unmarked” (429-439).

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Chivalry has many features that shape a knight, however the virtues that Sir Gawain presents the most are courage and honesty. One time when Gawain showed honesty and courage is when he went to fulfill his deal with the Green Knight. The guide leading Gawain to the Green Chapel told Gawain that he should run and that no one would know about his Failure to keep his promise. But Gawain said he must fulfill his deal: “But however heedfully thou hid it, if I here departed,/ faith in fear now to flee, in fashion thou speakest,/ I should a knight coward be, I Could not be excused./ Noy, I’ll fare to the chapel, whatever chance may befall” (85.13-16).

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Gawain returns to King Arthur’s court all ashamed and sad that he’s failed a test of honor by withholding the green girdle from Sir Bertilak out of a desire to preserve his own life. He feels like he’s failed in his duty as a knight and let everyone down. Perhaps, more importantly, he’s learned that he’s not perfect and never will be. He explains to the whole court that he plans to wear the girdle forever as a reminder of his failing, because "a man may hide his misdeed, but never erase it, for where once it takes root the stain can never be lifted". But instead of being properly sobered, the whole court laughs at Gawain’s words and agrees that everyone in court will wear a similar girdle for Gawain’s

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Gawain cannot redeem himself by blaming others, but does it anyways. He was supposed to be the epitome of chivalry and purity, but blames a single woman, the lady of the manor, on everything that he started. Gawain was the one to agree to the Green Knight’s challenge, not a woman who told him to. He took on the lord’s bets, without the ladies saying anything to him. Gawain’s pride and misogyny showed that he could not complete, or even start a path to redemption.

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Gawain is courteous to no end, even asking for permission to “abandon [his] bench and stand by [Arthur]” (Pearl Poet l. 344) so he may risk his own life instead of his kings to abide by the Green Knights game. He even humbly states that he “[is] the weakest” (l. 354) and that it would be the least lost of he was to parish which is untrue. Gawain is also extremely courteous when he is denying the wife’s attempts to seduce him saying he is “a knight unworthy” (l.1245). He plays a game of wits as he must not offend her advances but at the same time must not let the wife win the “game” because then he would have to lay with her and that would be uncourteous to his host, Lord Bertilak. The only time Gawain faults in his courteousness is when he refuses to acknowledge the agreement he made with Lord Bertilak which was “whatever [Lord Bertilak] win[s] in the wood shall at once be [Gawain’s] and whatever gain [Gawain] may get [he] shall give in exchange” (ll. 1107-08).

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Throughout the story Beowulf appeared to be flawless. For example, he fought grendal without any problem and did not even let one bite of fear show. Then he fought his mother struggleing only a little, but still ended up with the upperhand braver than ever. Even when he meet his match with the dragon and ended up losing his life; he still didn’t have any major problems or regreats. Therfor making him seem to be flawless.

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As the story progress, Beowulf became king of the Geats for 50 years when suddenly a dragon emerged from slumber began to burn down villages. However, Beowulf didn’t pay the slightest attention, but instead ignored what was happening. Finally, when the dragon burns down Beowulf’s throne room Beowulf decided that he needs to deal with the dragon. In Beowulf 's eyes, the lives of his citizens couldn’t even compare to his throne room. When Beowulf prepared to fight the dragon he said, “Now I am old, but as king of the people I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning” (lines 2512-2514).

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