Central to both stories is a quest. Beowulf is from the land of the Geats; he hears of a monster Grendel, who is ravaging the meadhall of King Hrothgar. "Killing as often as he would, coming alone, bloodthirsty and horrible" (80). Beowulf immediately takes a group of strong men across the sea to Hrothgar's meadhall to end Grendel's on going assault. Sir Gawain is a knight of King Arthur's court. One day a man dressed in green comes with a wager. "He challenges any knight there to agree to exchange one blow for another...the stranger says he will stand the first blow" (158). To prevent King Arthur from accepting the challenge, Gawain takes his place and chops off the head of the Green Knight. "He picks up his green head, repeats his challenge, and gallops off with

Beowulf and Gawain are characters in Anglo-Saxon literature. Both are labeled heroes, but differ from each other. Beowulf and Gawain travel on quests for different reasons, they carry out there quests in unique ways and Beowulf is always fearless while Gawain has weak moments. A clear contrast can be made between Beowulf

the head in his arms" (158). This leaves Gawain a year and a day until he would have to travel on a quest and locate the Green Knight to receive his blow. Though both go on a quest, there is a great difference, Beowulf's quest has to do with his obligation to help a friend of his father, who is in grave danger of Grendel's pillaging of his meadhall, thus he feels an obligation to end it. In contrast, Gawain's quest rises from a magical wager that the Green Knight poses to King Arthur and the Knights of The Round Table. Gawain undertakes the quest to save the honor of King Arthur. Beowulf and Gawain travel on a quest, yet the reasons bringing forth their quests are unique.

Beowulf and Gawain differ in the execution of their quests. Beowulf presents us with a direct and bold execution of the task which is the heart of his quest. "That, I alone and with the help of my men, may purge all evil from this hall" (165-166). Beowulf has a straight

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Approximate Word count = 863
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)