Though Aeneas and Sir Gawain may be from different areas of the world, and even from vastly different time periods, they do share many qualities with one another, as well as many differences. Some of the qualities that Aeneas and Sir Gawain share are their loyalty and dutifulness, and piety. There are many differences as well, and some of those include their military standing, and their religious affiliation.
In both characters loyalty and dutifulness is a central ideal that they stick to. In The Aeneid Aeneas’ loyalty and sense of duty is seen in many instances, such as when they arrive on the shores of Italy and takes refuge Dido’s city of Carthage. While there, Aeneas and his people feast and live well, and Aeneas has the opportunity
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Both Sir Gawain and Aeneas have undeniable faith in their respective gods. Aeneas shows his devotion to the will of the gods numerous times throughout The Aeneid, one example is when the gods speak to him in a dream and tell him that his father was mistaken when he said Crete was their destiny. During the night as Aeneas lay asleep, he says “Then it seemed they spoke to comfort me With these words” (212-213), in these lines, he is referring to the gods which he says he appeared before him and caused cold sweats. “Breathless with awe at these appearances, At the divine voice-for I saw them, large as life, before me, The veiled heads and the faces near at hand, So cold sweat soaked me from head to foot” (239-243). When Aeneas sees this image he jumps from bed to pour offerings into the fire. This shows Aeneas’ devotion to the gods and their commands to him. Sir Gawain is a very pious person as well. He shows often that God plays an important role in his life throughout the story. Though throughout the story he may often do thing that seem out of character for a Christian, such as when he takes the Green Girdle from lady Bertilak to protect him from harm. She said to him “For the man that possesses this piece of silk, If he bore it on his body, belted about, There is no hand under heaven that can hew him down,” (1851-1853). Sir Gawain is tempted by this offer of magic and this is against Christian views, though …show more content…
Aeneas was a Pagan and his world was full of many gods, who he spoke to often. There are many times when Aeneas spoke and prayed to different gods to help him along his journey, one example being when he was told that his fate was to go to Italy to settle. There is also a time when Aeneas is going through the underworld and speaks with his dead father, and learns the fate of the reused souls will be his descendants in their new land. These things show that Aeneas’ religious experiences are much different from Sir Gawain’s religious experiences. Sir Gawain is a devout Christian who unlike Aeneas only prays to one god for everything. God is not as present in Sir Gawain’s time as it was in Aeneas’ time, he did not play a direct part and come down and speak to Gawain throughout the story as Aeneas’ gods did. Though they may not be the same religion, they are both faithful in their gods and show that throughout the
‘'The real hero is always a hero by mistake; he dreams of being an honest coward like everybody else.'' (Eco). Some heroes wished that they might not be a hero, or some do, but don't know who, where, and when and why if/are heroes. The similarities between Sir Gawain and Westley are that they started their journey but got a little help on the way, they both start the journey by accepting that they have to go, they both know that they might end up dying but to go anywhere. The most superior is Westley because he had more help than Sir Gawain, Westley had two other people who tried to kill him but, Westley defended them and then they saved him and Westley help Inigo revenge his father's death from the six fingered man while saving the princess.
Aeneas’s piety is a common theme throughout the Aeneid. In fact, it is even mentioned among the first few lines of the prologue. In fact, Vergil describes him as “insignem pietate virum” or “a man known for piety” (1.10). This piety is later reinforced that he specifically takes the household gods with him as he
Gawain returns to Camelot a changed man, bearing his sins on his shoulders, whereas, Beowulf develops into a more saint like character who is more concerned with giving help than gaining fame. Gawain becomes more aware of his wrong doing, and attempts to better himself by carrying the green girdle as a reminder of his sins.
Sir Gawain was heroic in seeking out the Green Knight to finish the challenge that was brought to King Arthur’s men. “Said Gawain, ‘Strike once more; /I shall neither flinch nor flee; /But if my head falls to the floor /There is no mending me!’” (lns. 2280-2283) There was no physical power that forced Sir Gawain to keep true to his word. Gawain sought out the Green Knight, just as he had promised, and was now about to receive the blow that would send him to his death. This quote shows that Sir Gawain was ready to be dealt his fate, and that he knew there was no way for him to survive as the Green Knight had done earlier in the poem. This shows a very human side to Sir Gawain as he appears somewhat afraid of death, but ready to face it nonetheless. It is this willingness and readiness to accept death at the hand of the Green Knight that makes Sir Gawain a...
Aeneas also went to fight in the Trojan War. He also was a national hero. He was a great warrior. Both Odysseus and Aeneas were trying to head home.
Sir Gawain had a very deep devotion to his faith. There is proof that he loves his Lord and his spiritual mother, Mary, in his words and on his shield. “They brought him his blazon that was of brilliant gules with the pentangle depicted in a pure hue of gold” (Tolkien 47). The pentangle on his shield has five points and five symbolic meanings: The five wounds of Christ, the five senses, the five fingers, the five joys of Mary, and the five virtues of knighthood (Tolkien 48). Gawain also has an image of the Virgin Mary on the inside of his shield. This is purposeful in maintaining his courage and strength in times of despair. “…on the inner side of his shield [Mary’s] image depainted, that when he cast his eyes thither his courage never failed.” (Tolkien 48). As for his love of Christ, as well as his mother Mary again, "I beseech thee, O Lord, and Mary, who is the mildest mother most dear, for some harbour where with honor I might gear the Mass..." (Tolkien 52). These two iconic Christian figures gave Gawain the strength to face any type of opponent, even the Green Knight. "I implore with prayer plain that this match should now be mine" (Tolkien 36). These acts of faith prove that Gawain abides by his knightly code as it says, "Chris...
In this essay I will compare and contrast the qualities and plights of both Aeneas and Gilgamesh. These two epic heroes share similar fates, yet are very different in personality.
... wife and home as well as his place in Carthage in the name of the gods, in the name of a quest that does not directly benefit him. From this pursuit, he does not stand to gain spoils, and the most that could be said of his fame would be drawn from his descendents. It is this moral stance, this understanding of universal placement, of purpose, that sets Aeneas apart from other heroes.
While Gawain fails to accept the truth about his immoral identity, he also fails to maintain a sincere and truthful relationship with God. Camelot believes that Gawain is a perfectly chivalrous and Catholic knight, when in actuality he is an actor with an impure thought. Gawain is driven by selfish motives; he only considers what is best for him and as a result, uses God as a vehicle to get what he wants. Gawain acknowledges God when he desires comfort and “crosses himself, and cries on Christ in his great need,” of a castle (761-761). Likewise, Gawain prays when he wants protecting; his shield, decorated with the highly symbolic Pentangle and Virgin Mary, is the ultimate Holy accessory for his battle. Gawain only regards God when he is either wishing for comfort or for safety. Furthermore, Gawain strays from Catholicism completely by expecting the green sash to save him in the fight. Believing that the magical Pagan article will truly redeem him, demonstrates fear and proves Gawain lacks faith in God. Gawain lacks morals when abandoning Catholicism for a Pagan artifact, and when he does pray to God his spiritual motives are impure and
For a year, Aeneas delayed his destiny and departure to Italy by settling down with queen Dido in Carthage. The gods deliver a message to Aeneas and to his dismay he must leave “the land of his love” and resume his destiny (Aen. 4.). Though his parting from Dido is emotional, and he leaves her broken and suicidal, Aeneas remains level-headed and strong-willed, a noble quality known as gravitas to the Romans. By Aeneas having to leave Dido, he is overcoming a very emotional obstacle; he is leaving despite a chance of stability and love, the first since the death of his wife.
By mentioning the downfall of his people during the Trojan War and foreshadowing his destiny by "Sparing the conquered" Trojans and "battle down the proud" Greeks, can be looked upon as a reinforcement of his duties not only to his dead father and family, but to the entire Trojan population. To let another character found and rule Rome would just prove the failure of his people again, as shown through the Trojan war. Aeneas feels great pride and energy regarding his role in history and is anxious to continue on his journey. The gods are trying to convince Aeneas to value duty to his city and family, a kind of affiliation or relation by virtue of descent as-if from a parent, above duty to a lover by mere affiliation, or arbitrary association. This perspective on an appeal to authority still hinges on a relationship between Aeneas' desire for affiliation and public authority as the authority of filial priority. We learn early on in this epic that Aeneas is a very important character because of his divine parentage. After all, his mother is the Goddess Venus and his father's brother was the King of Troy. His mother is more concerned with his destiny than with his happiness. She makes Dido fall in love with Aeneas and then he falls in love with the Carthaginian queen in return. Despite the fact that he is happy, his mother is one of the gods working to make him fulfill his destiny. This "destiny" is truly revealed to Aeneas in the underworld when he encounters a few fellow Trojan comrades.
Despite being a knight, Sir Gawain sinned. He was greedy. He accepted a woman’s girdle because it would literally save his neck in the covenant he had with the Green Giant. The woman’s girdle was magical and saved people from every thrust or strike they would endure. Sir Gawain learned his lesson through all the guilt he feels when he was caught. Moreover, when Sir Gawain says, “Dread of the death blow and cowardly doubts meant I gave into greed, and in doing so forgot the freedom and fidelity every knight knows to follow,” (“Sir Gawain” 235). Even though Sir Gawain was a noble knight he still sinned against the knightly code and also against the Ten Commandments.
...s what the value to life meant to him but also because Gawain then admitted to what he did wrong and learned from his mistake. The nick on the neck shows that although God wants mankind to be obedient he understands that mistakes happen and that sometimes that nick on the neck is what humans need in order to realize what they did was wrong.
Also, Sir Gawain exemplified chivalry during his trek to the Green Chapel in search of the Green Knight, as he gave his word to do. Lastly, the way that Gawain changed his attitude at the Green Chapel, towards certain death, from frightfulness, to prideful anger showed that he understood his consequence. Overall, the ability to maintain the composure of Gawain, knowing he would most certainly die, is an immense showing of chivalry and
When discussing the fate of Aeneas, a thought provoking question is posed that is commonly debated. If Aeneas is commanded by fate, does he have free will? It is important to approach this question with a solid understand of fate. There are two common sides to the debate of whether Aeneas had free will or not. One view believes Aeneas had no choice but to follow his destiny because he was commanded by fate, and prophesied to found the race that will one day build Rome. The other side states Aeneas did indeed have free will, and even though his fate was set, room is available within his fate for events to change. One can argue Aeneas makes some of his own choices, but no particular detail of his life is untouched. Destiny determines that the Trojans will found a city in Italy, but it does not stipulate how that will happen. This is where room is left for free will. After much research and considering the views of many commentators and the proof they showed, the answer can simply be found by going back to the text of The Aeneid.