Courage In Beowulf And Sir Gawain

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Courage is a heavy word to carry, yet not heavy enough for Beowulf, by Dr. David Breeden and Sir Gawain and The Green Knight translated by W. A. Nielson. The word describes two remarkable, fearless men who fought for their kingdoms. Although the men came from different eras, both Beowulf and Sir Gawain shared uniformed principles, and courage resonates among the most dominant.
Legends of Beowulf occurred first in history. When an evil creature named Grendel shows up to attack the sleeping people, Beowulf does not shy away. “At dawn, when the Danes learned of Grendel's strength, there was great weeping. The old king sat sadly, crying for his men. Bloody footprints were found.” (Part I) Beowulf eventually kills the evil creature, and then sets out to kill the creature’s mother. Suiting up in his finest armor, Beowulf, along with a band of men, tracks down the frightful creature. The terror emerges and all but two men flee; Beowulf and Wiglaf. To any other man, the odds may be against him. Yet even in the moment of the frightened men, Beowulf still found the courage inside himself to withstand the battle ahead of him.
Sir …show more content…

He claims he will not flinch when the knight tries to behead him. “’…I shall stand still and hinder thee not least from doing the work you like.’ He bent the neck and bowed down, showing the flesh all bare; and behaved as it he cared not. For no dread would he flinch.” (P. 46 Para.11) He upheld his courage until he hit some turbulence of indignity when The Green Knight reveals himself as being Bernlak, the king of a foreign castle. “Bernlak de Hautdesert I am called in this land, through the might of Morgen la Fay, who dells in my house.” (P.49 Para. 19) Sir Gawain was in shame for lying and telling the evil king he gave all his earnings, yet still is seen as a noble knight for his courage and his home kingdom wears a bustle for him as he wears his as a reminder of

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