Similarities And Differences Between Two Heroes

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Similarities and Differences between Two Heroes

Although epic and medieval heroes are very different, they are also very similar. Both Beowulf, the epic hero from Beowulf and Sir Gawain , the medieval hero from “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” are examples that contain these similarities and differences.
Skill is one example that is shown with both Beowulf and Sir Gawain. Beowulf shows skill with his strength. He is able to defeat Grendel with this characteristic. Sir Gawain, on the other hand, shows skill in a different way, by being able to encourage the Green Knight not to kill him. “Stop, green man! Don’t swing again.” Another similarity between a medieval and epic hero is the involvement of a challenge. Beowulf is involved with the challenge of defeating Grendel. “Grendel came, hoping to kill (line 365).” Sir Gawain, however, is involved with the challenge of staying alive. “He (Green Knight) swung his weapon swiftly up, and down, the blade toward the bare flesh (150-153).
Among the two similarities mentioned and other similarities as well, there are many differences. In Beowulf, paganism takes place, meaning that many Gods are believed in. “Raise upwards for their lords, warm with love, when their shield and protector leaves his body behind, sends his soul on high (565-568).” “Lords” is plural meaning many were believed in. In contrast, Christianity is the religion that takes place during the medieval age. For example, Gawain is calling to Christ because he does not want to be killed, “A kind of greeting by Christ I’ll greet him better (47-48).” By that quote the reader can get an idea of how Christianity is involved. Finally, women as a temptation is a big difference between the epic and medieval hero. There is absolutely no sign of temptation in Beowulf, only the queen is portrayed. However, in “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”, Sir Gawain
accepts a magic green girdle...