Beowulf And Sir Gawain As Heroes Essay

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Casey CowburnHistory of English Literature IProfessor Kramer November 25, 1998 Beowulf and Sir Gawain as Heroes It is very interesting that several years ago someone was writing about heroism in a way that can be understood today. This is where the universal definition of this term has come into existence. Heroism can be defined as a person who has heroic characteristics and courage, and someone who has heroic conduct and behavior. These characteristics are somewhat vague, and for this fact alone it is hard to classify a person in the category of hero. But it is easy to find examples of heroes in writing. A person can go back hundreds of centuries to find figures such as Beowulf and Sir Gawain. These two figures have characteristics of heroism, even though the stories were written several years apart. Beowulf is an epic poem, which was composed over two hundred years ago, but the story was composed several years before that. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was written during the end of the fourteenth century around 1375. The poet of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight tells a tale in which a man proves to be a hero through seemingly un-heroic decisions made in the course of numerous tests. The actions of these two ancient characters are looked at by critics as acts of bravery and honor throughout their respective stories. If Beowulf and Sir Gawain are compared and contrasted by people of today, the person can see these two figures exemplify a true hero in their own unique way. A person could examine Beowulf in several different ways when they are trying to determine if Beowulf is a true hero. One of the obvious qualities that make him a hero in the eyes of fellow men is his amazing physical strength. He fought in numerous Cowburn 2battles and returned victorious from all of them except the last encounter he faced. Beowulf is strong enough to kill the monster Grendel. This monster had been terrorizing the Danes for twelve years, and with his bare hands Beowulf kills the enormous monster and rips off its arm. When Beowulf is fighting Grendel’s mother, he is able to slash the monster’s throat with the sword of a giant. The size of this sword is used to show the great strength of Beowulf. Only a man of super-natural power could have used or even lifted, a sword of this magnitude. Then Beowulf after slicing off the creature’s head carries it out of the deep depths of the ocean in that the monster lived, and takes it to the people for them to admire. It takes four men to lift this enormous head and carry it back to Herot’s mead-hall. All of these examples show Beowulf’s strength and how this strength is a key trait of Beowulf’s heroism. Another heroic trait of Beowulf and of all people who are classified as heroes, is the ability to put other people’s thoughts and welfare before one’s own. The king of the Geats, Beowulf’s uncle, sends several soldiers to aid in Beowulf’s battle with Grendel, but Beowulf know the danger of the battle and allows no one to help him. He is named king for fifty years, after conquering this great beast. At the end of this lengthy rein of being a king, he goes off the battle one last time. Even at his elderly state, Beowulf fights a horrible dragon that is frightening all of his people. Beowulf is showing signs of being old and tired in this battle, and even though Beowulf ends up dying, he also kills the Dragon. The double death is for the protection of his people. Even while dying, Beowulf is thinking about his people and the security of his people. His wishes are granted and a Cowburn 3tall lighthouse is built in order to help the people maneuver their way back to Herot. These acts of putting his people’s welfare ahead of his own, is a major trait of heroism. Also in this epic poem, the hero, Beowulf, is a seemingly invincible person with all the extraordinary traits required of a hero. He is able to use super-human physical strength and courage to put his people before himself. This is also a hero-like quality that shows that Beowulf will do anything to better the community in which he is the ruler. He encounters hideous monsters and most ferocious beasts in the land, but he never fears the threat of death. His leadership skills are superb and he is even able to boast able all his abilities and accomplishments to the other warriors. Beowulf is the ultimate epic hero who risks his life several times for immortal glory and for the good of others.Ralph Waldo Emerson has also looked at this epic character as a hero along the same lines. One of the ideas that Emerson came up with is that Beowulf is categorized as a hero because he follows his heart rather than his logic. Beowulf never doubted himself, and for this fact alone he makes decision quickly and confidently. This is most evident in that fact that Beowulf always jumps into a battle so his innocent people are not put in harms way (Licata). The most heroic trait that Beowulf has is the idea that he is not afraid to die. He always explains his death wishes before going into battle and requests to have any assets delivered to his people. For instance, Beowulf says early in this epic poem, “And if death does take me, send the hammered mail of my armor to Higlac, return the inheritance I had from Hrehtel, and from Wayland. Fate will unwind, as it must! (Norton, 34)” He is Cowburn 4aware of the heroic paradox, and that he will be glorified in life for his actions. No matter the outcome of the battles