Compare And Contrast Beowulf And Sir Gawain

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

poem about a hero named Beowulf who fought two monsters, Grendel and his mother, ruled a kingdom with courage and wisdom, and killed a dragon in his last battle (Shippey). Beowulf is the prince of Geats and a well-known courageous figure to the people; he is the strongest and all around greatest fighter. When Beowulf heard how Grendel filled nights with horror, he decided to sail across the sea to Hrothgar (112-113). He sat still one night to watch Grendel’s strategies and plan his own. When it is time for him to fight against Grendel, he shows honor by not fighting with weapons. Beowulf is motivated by fame and craves of wanting to be known by others. He stands by his vows no matter if it costs his life. The reluctant warrior does not back down from any battle no matter his age or weakness. Beowulf defeats three gruesome monsters, albeit he does not show honor in his last battle. Beowulf proves to be wise and an effective ruler who will always seek fame no matter how many years have passed. Where did the motivation come from? What is the influence of the desire for fame on their personalities? (Brim 2009). Beowulf’s dying desire was a tower built for himself with treasure inside and for his story to be retold by the scops.
“I beseech you, Sire,” he said, “Let this game be mine” (123-124).

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

Gawain shows, although the Green Knight understood and forgave him because he saw how ashamed Gawain felt. Sir Gawain embodies chivalry and prides himself in every aspect of his life.