Beowulf and Sir Gawain As Term Paper

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He expresses his misery to his uncle, Arthur, but publicly puts on a happy face for everyone else.

But Gawain said with cheerful face:

Why shrink back from the quest?

Though fate bring glory or disgrace man must meet the test."

Gawain is bedecked in all kinds of martial finery, but is full of woe. This furthers the theme of Gawain putting on airs of valor without truly possessing any. His trip is one of misery and hardship and he begins to learn the error of his ways after some time alone in a harsh wilderness full of dangers. Beowulf doesn't endure such hardships in the story, but the action he faces is from when he was younger and ended up adrift for five days at sea, fending off sharks and the like.

When Gawain enters a castle he comes to, he is greeted cheerfully but there is an undercurrent of mockery in his hosts' conversation; they seem to have heard of him before and that he is more of a lover than a fighter. A female in the castle catches Gawain's eye, and he hers; the first thing he does when they meet is kiss her!

The mistress of the house clearly has intentions to seduce him, being more than merely playful. What's she doing on Gawain's bed? In any event, he resists her. He may not be taking liberties with her, but just the same he doesn't mind her sitting on the bed. So he's a very good man, but still just a man.

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Gawain so good a knight is holden in all eyes,

So glad in courtesie is he, in sooth, that ne'er

Had he thus holden speech for long with lady fair

But he had craved a kiss by this, his courtesie,

or trifling token ta'en at end of converse free!"

After several days of partying, the host invites him to stay longer, but Gawain insists on heading out for the Green Chapel, his urge to do honor his promise overcoming his desire to have fun.

They drank, and dallied, there, and deemed't were well to hold

Their forward fast and fair till New Year's Eve were told,

But Gawain prayed his leave, with morrow's morn to ride,

Since it were night the term his challenge to abide.

We learn that Beowulf has his weak moments also, for he seems subject to flattery after returning home from defeating Grendel and his mother.

What makes Beowulf and Gawain truly heroic is each man's ability to overcome his human frailties, not through superhuman power, but through adventures and learning from their mistakes......

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