Beowulf Versus Sir Gawain
Uploaded by JayJay on Dec 26, 2004
Beowulf Versus Sir Gawain
The stories of Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight were written in two distinct periods of history, and they show how Christian heroism has matured from the exterior-self to the interior-self. Beowulf was written in the eighth century, which was a period when the people of England were being influenced and converted to Christianity. The people at the time (of the prior religion) kept many of their customs and stories and linked them to Christianity. Beowulf is evidence for this notion; the story is known to have a combination of pagan and Christian elements. The pagan elements of Beowulf are expressed through the self-glory of Beowulf and the characterization of supernatural figures. Beowulf is out for his own interest. An example of this is especially present within the last sentence of the story when it states that Beowulf is "keenest to win fame." (ln.3182) The supernatural figures of Beowulf are Grendel, the descendant of Cain, who feasts on the flesh and blood of humans, Grendel's mother, who lives under the sea, and the dragon, who kills and destroys many of Beowulf's people and property. Beowulf goes into battle with these supernatural figures and is the victor. [trans] Even with these pagan ideas, Christianity is also evident. ["Cain" doesn't sound "pagan"; & the Bible has monsters. Clarify.]Beowulf makes reference to God being the Only and Almighty; he is presented as a Christ figure; and the story is testimony to the Sacred Scriptures.
As for Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, which is thought to be written in the fourteenth century, is entirely a Christian story. This is evident in Sir Gawain's shield, the time of year it takes place, temptations of the morale. John Gardener best describes Sir Gawain's shield, which is accounted in lines 619 to 665:
On the outside it has a five-pointed star, the "Pentangle," of "endless knot," a symbol perfectly appropriate for Gawain. Each point represents five virtues: he is faultless in his five senses, unfailing in his five fingers, devoted to Christ's five wounds (received on the Cross,) and supported by the five joys of Mary, and he is a master of five virtues - generosity, good fellowship, purity, courtesy, and charity. (The pentangle is also, traditionally, a symbol used to ward off black magic.) On the inside of the...