Epic Heroes Sir Gawain and Beowulf - 1204 Words

During the Middle Ages, both â€Å"Beowulf† and â€Å"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight† were epic stories that were chanted aloud to the public. Each story told about epic heroes who went on a long journey to face or conqueror someone or something. â€Å"Beowulf† is a poem about a young man, Beowulf, who slays a monster and his mother with his bare hands to protect the people he loves. As the years go by Beowulf becomes king and a dragon begins to stir. In response to this, Beowulf fights the dragon with a sword and one loyal companion. Beowulf’s life comes to end, but so does the dragons. From this epic poem you can see that good does triumph over evil, but sometimes it comes at a cost. Along with â€Å"Beowulf†, â€Å"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight† was†¦show more content†¦Nor will I. my lord Higlac might think less of me if I let my sword go where my feet were afraid to, if I hid behind some broad linden shield: my hand alone shall fight for me, struggle for life against the monster. God must decide who will be given to death’s cold grip† (lines 160-175). He believes that if Grendel can fight without a sword; then he should be able to also otherwise he would have an advantage over Grendel. During the poem â€Å"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight†, Sir Gawain shows courage by accepting the Green Knights game instead of King Arthur. The game the Green Knight wants to play is one of King Arthur’s Knights have a chance to hit the Green Knights bare neck without him flinching, but in return the Green Knight has a chance to return the blow a year and a day later. When none of the Knights accept the challenge King Arthur decided to play the game himself. King Arthur was about to swing the ax, but Sir Gawain stopped him which is shown in the story, â€Å"Lightly the King leaped down and clutched it (ax) in his hand; and then quickly that other lord alighted on his feet. Arthur lay hold of the ax, he gripped it by the handle and he swung it up over him sternly, as if to strike, the stranger stood before him, in stature higher by a head or more than any man here in the house: sober and thoughtful he stood there and stroked his beard, and with patience like a priest’s he pulled down his collar, noShow MoreRelatedThe Journies of Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Essay803 Words   |  4 PagesBeowulf vs. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight In the worlds of Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the journeys of two heroes, Beowulf and Sir Gawain, are depicted through the form of poems. The two stories have become two of the most important works of literature in the English history. In the two poems, both Beowulf and Sir Gawain face great challenges in their journeys as heroes. 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