Comparing Heroes In Beowulf And Sir Gawain
There are many definitions of the word ‘hero’ but Dictionary.com defines a hero as a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities, a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal, the principal male character in a story, play, film, etc. While growing up, I can remember many instances where we were asked to write about and describe who we felt our ‘hero’ was. The common and cliche answer amongst many people is “my mom.” Under the dictionary definition I don’t know that all of my classmates moms, including my own, are heroes.
The first responders that were at the scene of 911 are often referred to as heros. Additionally, …show more content…
While they have what I consider basic hero features they differ in many aspects. Beowulf, as a pagan, believes in Fate, "Fate will unwind as it must" (line 189) while Sir Gawain has Christian beliefs. Sir Gawain is under the chivalric code and Beowulf is not. Unlike Beowulf, Sir Gawain exhibits some cowardice in his hiding of the girdle that Lady Bertilak gives him as she tries to seduce him. Beowulf's struggle against Grendel is more of an epic struggle of two great opposing forces in the world, but Sir Gawain's conflicts are of lesser value, …show more content…
Rather than send warriors to fight the dragon, Beowulf goes himself to fight the dragon. Taking sword and shield he engages the beast in combat. However, Beowulf runs into complications with this beast, “the iron Shield, and for a time it held, protected Beowulf as he’d planned; then it began to melt.” (720-722) Beowulf finds himself in defeat for the first time. Then Wiglaf, one of his kinsmen, comes to his aid and together they defeat the dragon. Yet, Beowulf is mortally wounded and is about to die. Before dying, he passes the throne to Wiglaf. Thus the hero dies in a heroic manner and with pride, after fighting a foe that once again threatened a people. Beowulf is not only a hero, but also an example to all warriors of what they should strive to
The first responders that were at the scene of 911 are often referred to as heros. Additionally, …show more content…
While they have what I consider basic hero features they differ in many aspects. Beowulf, as a pagan, believes in Fate, "Fate will unwind as it must" (line 189) while Sir Gawain has Christian beliefs. Sir Gawain is under the chivalric code and Beowulf is not. Unlike Beowulf, Sir Gawain exhibits some cowardice in his hiding of the girdle that Lady Bertilak gives him as she tries to seduce him. Beowulf's struggle against Grendel is more of an epic struggle of two great opposing forces in the world, but Sir Gawain's conflicts are of lesser value, …show more content…
Rather than send warriors to fight the dragon, Beowulf goes himself to fight the dragon. Taking sword and shield he engages the beast in combat. However, Beowulf runs into complications with this beast, “the iron Shield, and for a time it held, protected Beowulf as he’d planned; then it began to melt.” (720-722) Beowulf finds himself in defeat for the first time. Then Wiglaf, one of his kinsmen, comes to his aid and together they defeat the dragon. Yet, Beowulf is mortally wounded and is about to die. Before dying, he passes the throne to Wiglaf. Thus the hero dies in a heroic manner and with pride, after fighting a foe that once again threatened a people. Beowulf is not only a hero, but also an example to all warriors of what they should strive to