Medieval Heroes Research Paper

The Nature of the Hero from Pre-classical to Medieval Every time period has its heroes, from the heroes of Pre-classical time such as, Achilles and Hector. The heroes of Classical times such as, Aeneas in the Epic poem Aeneid. Then there are those heroes of the medieval time such as, Beowulf and Sir Gawain. Heroes change over time and they come and go, leaving there mark in history. Throughout these time periods the nature of the hero changes but, not everything changes there are some things that remain the same. The role of Gods and Goddesses changed as Europe moved from the ancient and the classical periods to the medieval. Heroes are known for their strength but, as Europe moves towards medieval period the heroes strength
Gods and Goddesses were an important part in Greek culture, many believed that the Gods could control nature and their lives. During ancient and classical periods the Gods and Goddesses played an important role in the outcome for heroes. In “Iliad” the Gods and Goddesses were told to stay out of the Trojan War by their leader Zeus, but circumstances changed and Gods and Goddesses began taking sides in the war effecting heroes lives. Some of the Gods and Goddesses that took part in “Iliad” were Zeus, Aphrodite, Athene, and Apollo are just a few of the many Gods and Goddesses in this story. It is their interfering that effects the heroes of this story for example; Athene persuades Achilles she says, “I have come down to stay your anger-but will you obey?”(Iliad, page 145), Achilles responds with, Goddesses it is necessary that I obey you two,” (Iliad, page 145). The Gods and Goddesses acted as politicians in “Aeneid”, Jupiter favored the hero Aeneas but, Juno his counterpart hated Aeneas. Juno has a great love for the city Carthage and she is told of a generation of Trojan blood over throwing Carthage. (Aeneid, page 686) As time moves toward medieval time the Gods are not as involved for example, “Beowulf” rarely speaks of the Gods and when Beowulf fights Grendel or
In ancient and classical times the common enemy for heroes was another man but, in medieval time heroes enemies were sometimes referred to as monsters. If we think back to the heroes of ancient and classical period, a hero’s strength is great and compared to the Gods such as Achilles in “Iliad”. Achilles was described as being godlike, swift feet, and favored by the Gods but, as Europe moves towards medieval time the heroes seem to more realistic. Heroes such as, Beowulf and Sir Gawain are strong and brave just like heroes from ancient and classical times but, not over exaggerated and compared to the Gods. All heroes need an enemy or opponent to fight in order to gain their glory. Achilles fought hector, Beowulf fought Grendel, and Sir Gawain fought the green knight. Heroes of ancient and classical fought other men in battles and one on one combat but, in medieval time the enemy of the hero was often known as a monster. Beowulf fought Grendel who was also known as a man eating monster. Sir Gawain battled the Green Knight was also referred to as a monster according to Tarcsay T., (1998) the Green Knight was referred to as a monster, frightening the other knights. As the belief system changed from Greek Gods and Goddesses to Christianity monsters became popular during medieval time and the reason why they are used in “Beowulf” and “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” and not in ancient and