Beowulf and Sir Gawain

Beowulf and Sir Gawain What makes a person a hero? Is it their strengths? Their morals? Is a hero always a hero, or can a hero be replaced? Throughout history heroes have emerged in literature. An epic hero is a character in literature whose traits are valued in the society in which the epic originated. In the epic poems Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Beowulf is much like Sir Gawain, yet the …

…s main objective; to stay alive and receive admiration, and Sir Gawain’s main objective; to keep his honor. Though both are considered epic heroes, Beowulf and Sir Gawain are considerably different characters in personality, ability, and purpose. Each represents a hero of a different time. Our modern society also has heroes, yet with different values and beliefs. The idea of a hero changes from generation to generation, fulfilling the needs of the changing societies.