The differences between Beowulf and Sir Gawain

Each hero represents the values of his culture. Beowulf represents the warrior spirit of the Anglo Saxons: bravery, loyalty, physical strength. Gawain represents the chivalric code of the medieval period which also involves courage, loyalty, and physical strength. However, the two heroes differ in the way that they demonstrate these virtues. Beowulf meets evil monsters which represent the opposite of the warrior spirit: Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the fire dragon. He fought with Grendel and ends with Grendel’s death. Beowulf brought peace to the country for fifty years. After fifty years, his country faced another terror: the fire dragon. He used all his power and sacrificed himself and finally killed the dragon. On the other hand, Sir Gawain's test is not one against evil; it is one that tests his own honesty. Sir Gawain's opponent, in other words, is not an evil monster. It’s only himself. It was him to have an agreement. It was him to cut down Green Night’s head. It was him to take the sash from the lady in the castle. It was him to dodge the attack from the Green Night. They provide an opportunity for Sir Gawain to prove his character. Beowulf can defeat the evil monsters, but Sir Gawain is unable to demonstrate that he is perfect. Gawain comes close to perfection, but fails by his own cowardliness. At the end of the story, even though Gawain has performed bravely and done more than any other knight was willing to do, he felt himself a failure. Gawain's adventure demonstrates the medieval idea that man should strive for perfection even if he can’t reach it. Beowulf, however, is victorious. He is able to defeat the monster and save his people, even if at the end he loses his life. In these two stories, Beowulf is perfect and god-like. Though sir Gawain can’t reach perfection, but it’s more human.