Beowulf Medieval Hero
Rachel Hamilton
English 12
Mr. Allin
November 11, 2016
Medieval Hero
Based on a culture’s heroes, one can determine what the society’s values are. Beowulf represented the ultimate fighter of the Anglo-Saxon period, and what they considered to be the best characteristics for an individual to have (Allin 2016). He was the hero of lone combat against two horrifying monsters (Beowulf n.d.). He was incredibly valiant in his fights, as well as courageous (Beowulf n.d.). His story was told as an inspiration to young boys. They would want to be remembered as well as Beowulf was, and would be willing to do a great deal in order to ensure that they were successful warriors. The Anglo-Saxons were a Viking nation, always pillaging one nation or another …show more content…
Sir Gawain was far from the most fearsome fighter King Arthur’s court held. “I know that I am the weakest of them and the feeblest of understanding…there is little to praise in me” (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight n.d.). However, it was these same characteristics - his weaknesses - which make him heroic. None of the brilliant soldiers accepted the challenge, nor stepped in when King Arthur agreed to fight the Green Knight (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight n.d.). Sir Gawain, rather like David in the story of David and Goliath, was the underdog who became the hero. He was not necessarily strong or overly courageous, but he understood what needed to be done, and his loyalty towards his king overcame his fear and his failings. This demonstrated an obvious change in values from the Anglo-Saxon period regarding what makes a man a hero. Beowulf was a strong, courageous - almost larger than life - warrior. And, while Sir Gawain must have held some courage, as he willingly volunteered to fight the Green Knight, he was far from the fiercest soldier in the court. This proved that, during the medieval period, one did not necessarily have to be an incredibly superior soldier to be considered a hero. It would appear that the most important heroic characteristics were nobility, morality, and courage, rather than bravery and
English 12
Mr. Allin
November 11, 2016
Medieval Hero
Based on a culture’s heroes, one can determine what the society’s values are. Beowulf represented the ultimate fighter of the Anglo-Saxon period, and what they considered to be the best characteristics for an individual to have (Allin 2016). He was the hero of lone combat against two horrifying monsters (Beowulf n.d.). He was incredibly valiant in his fights, as well as courageous (Beowulf n.d.). His story was told as an inspiration to young boys. They would want to be remembered as well as Beowulf was, and would be willing to do a great deal in order to ensure that they were successful warriors. The Anglo-Saxons were a Viking nation, always pillaging one nation or another …show more content…
Sir Gawain was far from the most fearsome fighter King Arthur’s court held. “I know that I am the weakest of them and the feeblest of understanding…there is little to praise in me” (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight n.d.). However, it was these same characteristics - his weaknesses - which make him heroic. None of the brilliant soldiers accepted the challenge, nor stepped in when King Arthur agreed to fight the Green Knight (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight n.d.). Sir Gawain, rather like David in the story of David and Goliath, was the underdog who became the hero. He was not necessarily strong or overly courageous, but he understood what needed to be done, and his loyalty towards his king overcame his fear and his failings. This demonstrated an obvious change in values from the Anglo-Saxon period regarding what makes a man a hero. Beowulf was a strong, courageous - almost larger than life - warrior. And, while Sir Gawain must have held some courage, as he willingly volunteered to fight the Green Knight, he was far from the fiercest soldier in the court. This proved that, during the medieval period, one did not necessarily have to be an incredibly superior soldier to be considered a hero. It would appear that the most important heroic characteristics were nobility, morality, and courage, rather than bravery and