A hero is revered for the courage and noble ideals they stand by. Heroism plays a vital part in the lives of Beowulf and Sir Gawain. These characters represent what a hero stands for, but their lives as heroes are told differently in their stories. They are both seen to be brave, noble, and skilled men on their journeys, but the strengths portrayed through these heroes are of inner and outer strength. Though while both Beowulf and Sir Gawain show feats of heroism in their stories, Beowulf is shown to be the greater of the two heroes.
Early in the story, we learned that Beowulf was already seen as a mighty hero demonstrating his astonishing power and courage. The poet characterizes Beowulf as “the mightest man on earth” (Line 197). They’re during a swimming match with a rival named Breca, Beowulf shows a feat of his endurance as he, “on the open sea” (Line 507), finishing a race seven-day race, while killing many sea-beasts along the way. Beowulf demonstrates his heroism when a storm occurs during the match, choosing to stay alongside Breca, the weaker swimmer, instead of wanting to win the race.
Beowulf learning that the monster Grendel is causing chaos and torment for King Hrothgar, he sets off to the sea with fourteen of his best men, so they can aid Hrothgar in his time of need, stating “I can show the wise Hrothgar a way. To defeat his enemy and find respite” (Line 279-280). While in Hrothgar’s court, Unferth insulted Beowulf, instead of trying to engage against him physically, Beowulf chooses to respond with intellectual words, knowing that his actions would not only reflect poorly on his reputation but his king, Hygelac.
127 our experts are availableright now
In the encounters that follow between Beowulf, Grendel, and Grendel’s mother, Beowulf proves why he is called a hero by slaying down both Grendel and its mother. While he ends up serving his country as king for fifty years till came where a new threat had emerged itself upon Beowulf. While his decision to advance on the dragon alone in his old age leads to his death, though succeeds in defeating the dragon with a bit of assistance, Beowulf’s actions are more than enough proving on why he was a great hero of his story.
Alongside the heroism seen by Beowulf, Sir Gawain is described as honorable and brave, though only ends up performing few brave deeds in his story. When the Green Knight challenged King Arthur, Sir Gawain takes the place of his king to protect him, but that itself doesn’t define a hero. Following the rules set by the Green Knight, Sir Gawain goes in search of the Green Chapel to accept his fate. While making his journey, he runs into another castle that held a king and Lady Bertilak, who describes him as “the most notable knight who is known, whose fame goes before him” (Lines 1520-1521). Even, though little is giving out about any other deeds that Sir Gawain had given out for such praise.
In conclusion, Beowulf personifies all that a hero represents; he’s strength and bravery in the face of a threat and ready to swing into action when his allies are in danger. Sir Gawain is faithful and brave to take his king’s place in the Green Knight’s game, but any of the events that had followed never met the magnitude that Beowulf had made.
