Comparing Chivalry in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Beowulf
Back in early literature there were two great epic poems that became the fundamental format for future works. These two poems are called Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Beowulf. Even though we do not know the original authors of the works, we do know that these two stories were passed from one generation to the next for hundreds of years before they were finally written down on paper. They represented many social qualities such as the battle between good and evil, courage, mental and physical strength, heroism, and honor. The eighth century, when Beowulf was written, truly depicts literature at this time of chivalry of a knight to the fullest. However, Sir Gawain, written in the 14 century, depicts the literature at that time, when knights were not upholding chivalry. To understand the poems more fully, modern readers need to understand the complexity of chivalry in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Chivalric behavior in the sense of a knight can be defined as having courtesy, gallantry, and honor. The practice of chivalry forms the basis of gentlemanly conduct for the Middle Ages. Sir Gawain, written in the 14th century, definitely does not practice perfect chivalric conduct throughout the poem.
The epic poem Beowulf described the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times. The hero, Beowulf, was a seemingly invincible person with all the extraordinary traits required of a hero. He was able to use his super-human physical strength and courage to put his people before himself. He encountered hideous monsters and the most ferocious of beasts but he never fears the threat of death. His leadership skills were superb and he is even able to boast about all his achievements. Beowulf was the ultimate epic hero who risked his life countless times for immortal glory and for the good of others. Both Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Beowulf depicted the literature of the centuries they were written in. Although Sir Gawain was a knight of King Arthur's court, he was by no means the perfect knight. He did not uphold chivalry as he should have by breaking promises and giving into temptation. Beowulf, on the other hand, was the epitome of what a perfect knight was all about. He was brave and would risk his life to help others. irst part of the poem, chivalry appears as a social code defining the aristocracy. When the Green Knights demands a challenge, not one member of King Arthur's court steps up. Only until King Arthur says that he will do it does Sir Gawain step up. He accepts the challenge as King Arthur's nephew, a representative of the court. His actions uphold the reputation that the court has established. Sir Gawain made the promise to the Green Knight that he would return to the Green Castle in one year for the Green Knight to return the challenge. The most heroic of traits within Beowulf was that he was not afraid to die. He always explained his death wishes before going into battle and requested to have any assets delivered to his people. "But if battle should claim me, send this most excellent coat of mail to Hygelac, this best of corslets that protects my breast; it once belonged to Hrethel, the work of Weland. Fate goes ever as it must," (40). He was aware of the heroic paradox; he will be glorified in life or deat
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Approximate Word count = 1390
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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