The notion of honor appears in many different forms through the ages. In Beowulf, an old Scandinavian legend, Beowulf’s speech in preparation for his fight with Grendel’s mother emphasizes the importance Beowulfian heroism places on glory and recognition; this sentiment closely mirrors that of the glory-driven Achilles of The Iliad and greatly contrasts with the soft modesty and chivalry exemplified in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. In placing urgency on the preservation of physical entities that could attest to Beowulf’s feats, Beowulf’s speech highlights the importance of reputation in a Beowulfian interpretation of a hero’s honor. In the event of his death, Beowulf asks for Hrothgar to “take care of [Beowulf’s] young company, [his]
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Rather than emphasizing recognition in conquering external challenges, Sir Gawain instead models a hero who finds honor and victory in more personal struggles. Sir Gawain’s heroism lies not in his strength nor feats as a warrior, but rather in his integrity, chivalry, and grace as a knight. Tempted numerous times by the lady of the castle in addition to the guide leading him to the Green Chapel to abandon his virtues in favor of a self-servient alternative, Sir Gawain preserves his honor in staying morally resolute. He can boast no great physical feats – he wins no duels over the course of the story, and he even almost falls to the axe of the Green Knight – but he maintains his personal virtue in the face of temptation. Sir Gawain represents a spiritual hero rather than a physical one. In this light, honor becomes a personal aspect, one defined by a hero’s internal choices rather than his external actions – a notion that almost completely contradicts that of The Iliad and Beowulf, which place such great emphasis on reputation and trophies as representations of
Rather than emphasizing recognition in conquering external challenges, Sir Gawain instead models a hero who finds honor and victory in more personal struggles. Sir Gawain’s heroism lies not in his strength nor feats as a warrior, but rather in his integrity, chivalry, and grace as a knight. Tempted numerous times by the lady of the castle in addition to the guide leading him to the Green Chapel to abandon his virtues in favor of a self-servient alternative, Sir Gawain preserves his honor in staying morally resolute. He can boast no great physical feats – he wins no duels over the course of the story, and he even almost falls to the axe of the Green Knight – but he maintains his personal virtue in the face of temptation. Sir Gawain represents a spiritual hero rather than a physical one. In this light, honor becomes a personal aspect, one defined by a hero’s internal choices rather than his external actions – a notion that almost completely contradicts that of The Iliad and Beowulf, which place such great emphasis on reputation and trophies as representations of