An Assortment Of Heroism Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

Steven Brent Bunn ENG 261-02 3/21/2016 Research Project An Assortment of Heroism Theme is essential to any great work of literature, and while the following are certainly very different tales, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Beowulf and The Dream of the Rood each have particularly strong themes of heroism, though, they each have their own distinct idea of what heroism is, their own flavor one might say. It is partly because of their strong themes and ideas that they are still well-known and read today. A story without a theme or real purpose has little to no value whatsoever. Perhaps the most notable thing to mention about the gallant character of Sir Gawain in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is his all-encompassing and unwavering code†¦show more content†¦Fraternity and generosity are certainly important to Gawain as well. According to French literary historian, Leon Gautier, one of the main tenets of chivalry is that thou shalt be generous, and give largesse to everyone (Gautier 57). Likewise, Gawain and Bertilac strike a frie ndly deal with each other. Bertilac gives Gawain asylum on the one caveat that they both exchange gifts each day of what they had acquired. Bertilac would exchange his winnings from his game hunts, and Gawain was to give in return what he acquired in the castle, which in this case were kisses from Bertilac s main squeeze. Finally, there is Sir Gawain s devout piety which is seen throughout the tale. Gautier states that no one could become a knight without first becoming a Christian (Gautier 26). Gawain constantly prays and gives thanks to God. He is sort of like the Ned Flanders of the Middle Ages. Devotion to God is perhaps the most important aspect of chivalry in Sir Gawain s eyes. He is a hero in the sense that, while he is certainly brave and selfless, he is also extremely kind and courteous, which in the end is truly the best kind of hero. What an outstanding gentlemen he is. In Beowulf the central theme is undoubtedly heroism, though it differs from Sir Gawain and the Green K night. While there are underlying themes of Christian sentiment, it is not as front and center as in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. As a bulky hero and his unwavering valor and code of heroism