Compare And Contrast Beowulf And Sir Gawain

The poems of Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the green knight are two of the most remembered translated pieces known to British literature. Being the most influential warriors of their time, Beowulf and Sir Gawain are very similar yet have many differences.

Beowulf and Sir Gawain are very similar characters. Besides the fact that they are legendary, both Beowulf and Sir Gawain are endowed with commitment, honor and adventurousness, which bring them on an unforgettable journey. They both are honorable and trustworthy individuals. Beowulf did not have to help Hrothgar, but decided to help him to honorable his father’s friendship with him.

Lines 372- 376 “ I used to know him when he was a young boy.

His father before him was called Ecgtheow.

Hrethel the Geat gave Ecgtheow

his daughter in marriage. This man is their son,
here to follow up on an old friendship.”
Also when Beowulf went into Grendel mother’s cave and spotted all the treasure, he did not take any of it for himself. But when he does have treasure, he shares it upon his people showing his generosity and proving his selflessness. Sir Gawain also proves his trustworthiness by exchanging the gifts with Sir Bertilak he had received when playing and following the rules of the game.
Beowulf and Sir Gawain are nevertheless different characters.

Beowulf has been passed down from generation to generation for the past twelve hundred years; and no matter the way it was shared, Beowulf is always the hero. The poem talks about Beowulf’s journey to defeat not one, but three different attackers to protect and defend the people he loves and guides. It is not certain whether Beowulf is a Christian or Pagan, but there are times at which both religions are touched upon. Although Beowulf proves he does not rely on God, but believes it is fate that has gotten him this far. On lines 572-573, he said, “Often, for undaunted courage, fate spares the man it has not already marked.” showing his pagan beliefs. Another reason to believe that Beowulf is pagan is the ship burial; it was a way to show status of a highly ranked person. Ship burials, formally known as Norse funerals is a common pagan practice of the northern Germanics. Unlike Beowulf, the chivalric knight, Sir Gawain, is undoubtedly a Christian providing many examples to this belief. Continuously throughout the poem, Sir Gawain turns his head to God in times of need. A perfect example can be found on lines 736-739 where he

utters:
“And at that holy tide
He prays with all his might
That Mary may be his guide
Till the dwelling comes in site.”
when looking for a place to attending Mass for the following morning. Besides the prayers, Sir Gawain shield depicts a deeper meaning than just being a shield. On his shield was a five-stared pentangle representing the five wounds of his savor, Jesus Christ.
Both Beowulf and Sir Gawain are sacrificial but Beowulf sacrifices benefits others while Sir Gawain serves an ideal. Sir Gawain was more relatable as a human compared to Beowulf. Towards the end of the poem, when Sir Gawain neglected to return the girdle to Bertilak, the human side of Sir Gawain was shown. It showed that like all humans, he fears death and will use anything he can that will lower his chances of dying. He showed humanity. His characteristics are something that can be achieved anyone. In contrast to Beowulf who can be seen as a modern day superhero, with features seem more godlike than human. But with his godlike strength, he protects the people around him sacrificing his own life. At the end of the poem, the unfortunate event of death occurs. King Beowulf dies from the malicious wounds of the dragon protecting his people.
To conclude, Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the green knight have their share of differences, they also share a lot of the same qualities. Besides the fact that they are honorable, both Beowulf and Sir Gawain are endowed with commitment, honor and adventurousness, which bring them on an unforgettable journey.