Compare And Contrast Beowulf And Sir Gawain

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Authors create works of literature by giving their characters a whole sense of being and personality. Characters have their own unique features compared by their own attributes (Stuessy 2009). Beowulf and Sir Gawain are two characters that are recited from generation to generation before being written down as a form of entertainment to the people: oral tradition. Beowulf and Sir Gawain demonstrate honor, bravery, and loyalty as morals. The two epics are compared by their appearance, heroic deeds, and adherence to their word.
“...We are Geats,/ Men who follow Higlac. My father/ Was a famous soldier, known far and wide/ As a leader of men. His name was Edgtho” (173-175). Over a millennium ago, an anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet—or poets—wrote a long …show more content…

Sir Gawain, King Arthur’s nephew, is one of the most loyal knights. Sir Gawain, unlike Beowulf, did not seek fame or treasure. He is modest and shows honor by taking Arthur’s spot in chopping off the Green Knight’s head. Once he succeeds in chopping the Green Knight’s head and sees the knight riding off carrying his severed head, he vowed to meet the Green Knight in a year and a day later in the Green Chapel. “Come to the Green Chapel, I charge you, and take/ A stroke the same as you’ve given, for well you deserve/ To be readily requited on New Year’s mourn” (182-184). Twelve months and a day later, Gawain meets with the Green Knight’s wife and was offered three things: sex, a ring, and a girdle. Sir Gawain declines having sex with her and the ring, yet he took the girdle which she claims will keep him alive. Sir Gawain is known for his honesty and although he shows honor in many ways, he did not tell the Green Knight of keeping the girdle. When it is time to face the Green Knight, the Green Knight swings the axe three times, yet only cuts Gawain slightly on the neck the third time. The reasons why are: the first time he did not cut Gawain because he showed which is the first test of honor., the second time he did not cut Gawain is because he kissed his wife and told him, yet the third time he slightly cut Gawain is because he kept the girdle and did not tell him. This act is the only dishonorable act Sir

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