Compare Heroism in Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

¶ … Beowulf" and "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" are two tales which show striking similarities in many different literary aspects. These two tales, which were passed down orally from generation to generation in Northern Europe, include many elements of heroic legend and the epic hero. An epic hero, such as Beowulf or Sir Gawain, possesses the qualities of valor, military prowess, loyalty, generosity, and honor. These ideals are also associated with the Chivalric Code. The portrayal of heroism in "Beowulf" and "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" is similar in the way the heroes show valor and loyalty, but differs in the story of personal struggle and self-discipline.

The two main characters in each poem, Beowulf and Sir Gawain, are indisputable heroes of the Middle Ages. Both men fought valiantly against super-human creatures and both men underwent great journeys to partake in these battles. However, Beowulf was doing so to rid a kingdom of its wretched terroristic beasts while Sir Gawain's intention was to pass the ultimate test of Chivalry and prove his unquestioned character. The epic poems also both possess some aesthetic similarities such as epic boasting and a feast thrown for a hero.

The heroism in "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" is prevalent from the time that Gawain enters the story. The Green Knight had interrupted the great feast of New Year's and offered a challenge to all the chivalrous knights. He simply stated that any chivalrous knight could strike him one blow with their ax but then in twelve months and one day, that knight had to seek out the Green Knight so he could return the favor. Intimidated by the size and stature of the Green Knight, as well as the nature of the challenge, no knight chose to accept until an embarrassed King Arthur volunteered reluctantly. Just as King Arthur was about to strike a blow to the Green Knight's neck, Sir Gawain interrupted and chose to accept the challenge.

Both stories seem to take the same general path in building suspense and creating foreshadowing. One of the aspects of heroism that bands these stories together is the fact that both heroes contemplate their own mortality and the long odds they face while battling their respective beasts. Sir Gawain seizes the opportunity to save his Lord and to also save the reputation of the Round Table. He pleads with King Arthur:

"Would you grant me the grace,

To be gone from this bench and stand by you there,

If I without discourtesy might quit this board,…" (Norton, 209)

This type of self-sacrifice is also evident in "Beowulf" when he chooses to fight the second beast. Beowulf faces his own mortality and discusses it with King Hrothgar:

"Grieve not, wise warrior. It is better to avenge one's friend than mourn too much.

Each of us must one day reach the end

Of worldly life…" (Norton 355)

After each hero has accepted his possible fate, their stories take different paths. Sir Gawain's trek is more of a battle of self-motivation and discipline while Beowulf's is of stubborn bravery. Both heroes take brave paths towards reaching their ultimate goal. Gawain had to pursue the mythical Green Knight so he could have his neck chopped at while Beowulf had to seek Grendel and Grendel's mother who had both killed thousands of Danes.

Just before each climactic battle, both of these stories show the weakness in the warriors. Gawain, having traveled through the forests and plains in the dead of winter with no exact destination, was finally rewarded with a place to stay and a feast in his honor. At this feast two of Gawain's main Chivaric virtues were pitted against each other in a no-win situation. Gawain was seduced by Bercilak's wife at the feast on a few occasions. At first, Gawain was able to rebuff her advances but did so with great inner-conflict. Gawain contemplated how her "uncommon kindness and sweet stolen glances, stirred his stout heart." (Norton 236). However, Gawain ultimately gave in when he realized that turning Bercilak's wife away meant showing discourtesy towards women; a clear violation of the Chivalric Code:

His courtesy concerned him, less crass he appear,

But more his soul's mischief, should he commit sin

And belie his loyal oath to the lord of the house. (Norton, 238).

Ultimately however, Gawain's fate rewarded his loyalty, perseverance, and bravery by leaving him only minor harm when the Green Knight only scratches him on the third blow with his ax. Gawain returned a true chivalrous knight and defender of the aura of The Round Table.

However, Beowulf's fate as a hero turned out to be more on the side of tragedy. After defeating the Grendel and his mother and returning to his Geat homeland, an older Beowulf was needed to defend his land against the dragon. Knowing that in his older and weaker state, Beowulf still decided to take on this battle despite the fact that he knew his death was apparent. Beowulf, along with his only true loyal companion Wiglaf, took on the dragon and defeated him at a cost. Ultimately, Wiglaf was the one who smote the dragon because his guard had been let down when he bit into Beowulf's neck to kill him. This made Wiglaf the successor to Beowulf and symbolized the passing of the throne to the younger generation, or a move towards refined Christianity in the Middle Ages.