Beowulf Archetypal Essay

Words: 1602
Pages: 7

Beowulf and Gawain: An Archetypal Analysis
Of Cultural Values relating to Heroism
In literature we often see a hero. The hero is often the main character of a who story goes on a quest, faces dangerous risks, and battles good and evil along the way. In the narrative poems Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight we as readers witness two examples of the epitome of a true hero, according to the cultures that produced these works. Beowulf, the Geatish hero of an Anglo-Saxon folk epic, sets out on a quest to kill Grendel, a monster who has caused much chaos in the land of the Danes. Beowulf embarks on this quest for the safety of Hrothgar’s people, but also (and primarily) to further his own fame and renown. In addition, Sir Gawain also exemplifies a true hero for the readers of the Late Middle Ages as he accepts the challenge of the Green Knight and embarks on a hopeless journey that involves presenting his head for decapitation. Even though Sir Gawain contradicts himself in the end because of his disloyalty, he triumphs in the
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Gawain was given the opportunity to stay at the Green Chapel, but returns home to tell his story. Gawain is free to live, but he will always wear the green girdle as the sign of his sin. The narrative poem of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight truly embodies the cultural values of the Late Middle English. We can see the cultural value of valor apparent throughout the narrative poem as Sir Gawain exemplifies great courage in his quest of finding the Green Knight, even though he know he is embarking on a hopeless journey that involves presenting his head for decapitation. We can also see the cultural value of honor as Sir Gawain accepted the challenge of the Green Knight on behalf of his uncle, King Arthur, and through his chivalric acts throughout the narrative