Heroic Figure In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight
Sir Gawain and Beowulf are both heroic figures by definition. In both stories they go on a journey, experience battles between good and evil, and have much of the same powers. Although they have a lot in common, they are unique. While Beowulf is an ideal hero and king, Gawain is more of a chivalric knight who comes across as a relatable figure. Gawain also can be seen as a development of a heroic figure because the advancement of knowledge of what is real and fiction.
In both “Beowulf” and “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”, the reader meets a main character who is also a heroic figure. They are both skilled with intellectual, physical, and mental powers that prepare them for the journey and battles each will have to endure. In lines 439-440 (page 50), "… I hereby renounce sword and the shelter of the broad shield, the heavy war-board: hand-to-hand is how it will be, a life-and-death fight with the fiend.” This quote gives a good idea of Beowulf’s strength since he is confident in fighting without weapons. We get a glimpse of Sir Gawain’s loyalty, which helps him the most on his …show more content…
In “Beowulf” the battle between Grendel and Beowulf is described in lines 774-781 (page 57). “The story goes that as the pair struggled, mead-benches were smashed and sprung off the floor, gold fittings and all. Before then, no Shielding elder would believe there was any power or person on earth capable of wrecking their horn-rigged hall unless the burning embrace of a fire engulf it in flame.” Through his battles we see his powers are superhuman and inhumane. The development of a heroic figure is clear when Gawain keeps the green girdle; not only breaking his code but lying to Bertilak as well. It makes Gawain come across as a mere human being who does make mistakes; making him more relatable to
In both “Beowulf” and “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”, the reader meets a main character who is also a heroic figure. They are both skilled with intellectual, physical, and mental powers that prepare them for the journey and battles each will have to endure. In lines 439-440 (page 50), "… I hereby renounce sword and the shelter of the broad shield, the heavy war-board: hand-to-hand is how it will be, a life-and-death fight with the fiend.” This quote gives a good idea of Beowulf’s strength since he is confident in fighting without weapons. We get a glimpse of Sir Gawain’s loyalty, which helps him the most on his …show more content…
In “Beowulf” the battle between Grendel and Beowulf is described in lines 774-781 (page 57). “The story goes that as the pair struggled, mead-benches were smashed and sprung off the floor, gold fittings and all. Before then, no Shielding elder would believe there was any power or person on earth capable of wrecking their horn-rigged hall unless the burning embrace of a fire engulf it in flame.” Through his battles we see his powers are superhuman and inhumane. The development of a heroic figure is clear when Gawain keeps the green girdle; not only breaking his code but lying to Bertilak as well. It makes Gawain come across as a mere human being who does make mistakes; making him more relatable to