Beowulf vs. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Formal Response

Essay by EssaySwap ContributorHigh School, 12th grade February 2008

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Beowulf vs. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Formal Response Essay) When comparing the two stories of Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, one can see many similarities and differences. In the following paragraph you will see many similarities.

To begin with, both stories are set in wild, strange, and scary places. In Beowulf, the main setting is in the marsh where in which Grendel and his mother lived. Like Beowulf, the story of Sir Gawain had a strange setting in a castle. Also, in both stories, the main characters have an evil enemy. Beowulf's enemy was Grendel because he was continuously killing all of the people of Herot. Sir Gawain's enemy was the Green Knight because he was always challenging him and he was not keeping his word. Likewise, in both stories, the near-perfect heroes decapitate their enemies. The element of good versus evil is also shown in each story.

In Beowulf, it is represented with Beowulf vs. Grendel; and in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, it is represented with Sir Gawain vs. the Green Knight. While fighting in these good vs. evil battles, at some point Beowulf and Sir Gawain call for their enemies at the mouth of a cave.

In conclusion, we have found many similarities when comparing the stories. Not only alike in the way that both consist of a guest, an enemy, and a near-perfect hero; but Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight have certain qualities from the Seven Elements of Romance and of an epic hero.