Compare and Contrast Beowulf and Sir Gawain
Compare and Contrast: Beowulf and Sir Gawain The story of Beowulf translated by Burton Raffel, is that of a great hero prince from distant lands who sets out to help those in mortal danger. In the lands of the Danes there is a great monster loose, and Beowulf takes it upon himself to free the people from his wraith. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, translated by John Gardener is an illustrious tale of Arthur and his knights of the round table. This story focuses around Sir Gawain who accepts a challenge with a green clad knight to exchange blows, Sir Gawain is to hit the Green Knight with a blow, which the Green Knight will repay one year and one day later. Sir Gawain accepts this challenge when no other will, so that his king does not accept the challenge and be in harms way. ... Although Beowulf and Sir Gawain undertook very different quests, and have very different morals, they both show great strength and courage to achieve much in their adventures. ... Beowulf heard how Grendel filled the nights with horror and quickly commanded a boat to go to the famous king of the Danes now when his help was needed. ... Beowulf said “When we crossed the sea, my comrades and I, I already knew that all my purpose was this: to win the good will of your people or die in battle, pressed In Grendel’s fierce grip.”(31) Beowulf’s quest was undertaken out of a need for challenge, and adventure, he wanted to show how great and strong a warrior he was. Sir Gawain undertook a very different quest, not out of the love for adventure, but the love of his King. ... Not wanting his lord to die, Gawain volunteered instead.