Essay Comparing Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

Chivalrous knights, noble kings, fierce dragons, and helpless maidens commonly symbolize medieval heroism. The epic poem, Beowulf, named after the hero, relates the tale of an extraordinary Geat, who destroys monsters, battles a dragon, and protects his people. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Gawain, the protagonist, humbly offers his services and valiantly embarks on a perilous quest, determined to keep his word. Written by Geoffrey Chaucer, The Knight’s Tale, part of the frame-narrative, The Canterbury Tales, follows the love story of two knights, who yearn for one fair maiden. In all three stories, the characters portray heroic qualities, such as sacrifice, bravery, and perseverance, but also suffer from pride, dishonesty, and foolishness.

For example, Beowulf, a Geat, travelled to a foreign country, Denmark, in order to help the terrified people and further his personal fame. Upon his party’s arrival, Beowulf single-handedly slayed Grendel and later, Grendel’s mother. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, valiant Sir Gawain, unwilling to allow King Arthur to harm himself, stepped forward and proclaimed, “This foolish business fits my station, not yours: let me play this green man’s game.” Duke Theseus, from The Knight’s Tale, offered himself to avenge weeping women, whom he stumbled across. “He swore upon his honour as a knight, he would put forth the utmost of his might, so to avenge them on the tyrant Creon.” While Beowulf presented himself to promote his glory, Sir Gawain and Duke Theseus offered their services out of selfless

Describing a previous challenge, Beowulf claimed, “What man, anywhere under Heaven’s high arch, has fought in such darkness, endured more misery or been harder pressed? Yet I survived the sea.” Throughout the poem, Beowulf is typified by the same perseverance. Sir Gawain’s quest to locate the Green Knight, definitely tested his endurance. Still, “In danger and hardship Gawain stayed alone, riding until Christmas Eve.” Although not the heroes in The Knight’s Tale, two predominant characters, Palamon and Arcita, exhibited the heroic quality of perseverance through their fierce and constant battle for the beautiful maiden, Emily. Regardless of their purpose, characters in each tale displayed heroic