What is noble and honorable is not an eternal principle common to every time and culture. Just as there are differences in the type of food prevalent in a culture three will likewise be differences in the qualities that make up a noble and honorable man. So that a man noble in his own culture may be considered disgraceful in another. An example of such cultural differences may be seen in the epic poem Beowulf and the Arthurian romance Sir Gawain and the Green knight. Although, there are no drastic differences in the perception of honor in the two works the values placed on certain qualities that make up a noble man such as strength and humility differ altogether.
In the epic poem Beowulf strength is emphasized as a necessary trait while in Sir Gawain and the Green knight no mention is made to the physical abilities of any of the knights of the round table. Throughout th
. An action of such modesty would not invoke respect among the Danes who cherished self-esteem and pride in once self and one's accomplishments, on the contrary the only feeling such modesty may invoke is pity. Beowulf on the other hand seeming perfectly honorable in the lands of the Dane's would feel alienated in the land of Camelot amongst those who would think him prideful, barbaric, and greedy. Beowulf's motives for battling evil would seem impure because of the gracious rewards he receives.
Beowulf and Sir Gawain are exemplary characters who through strength and mettle of spirit won the respect of their people, both are noble and honorable, there is no way to decide which of these characters is more worthy of praise. They are both legendary heroes who revered by their peers. Sir Gawain and Beowulf were both the epitomes of honorable people in their times and their lands.
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