Beowulf and Sir Gawain: Loyalty and Religion

Beowulf and Sir Gawain are both presented as heroic figures in their respective cultures, but they also provide insight into the different prevailing values of their time periods. Specifically, the changes in how loyalty was viewed spilled over into the area of religion and theology, giving the modern reader a wealth of information on the religious beliefs of the cultures they represent and aiding our understanding of the development of English language literature.

First, there are a few important similarities between Beowulf and Sir Gawain that help link the two cultures, yet at the same time separate them. Perhaps the most significant is that both Beowulf and Sir Gawain are symbols of loyalty in their cultures. They also have their share of significant differences in this, but the theme of loyalty is so strong in both characters that it would be dishonest not to mention the similarities. Beowulf maintains his loyalty to his original leader, King Hygelac, while, at the same time, taking on another oath of loyalty to Hrothgar. He keeps both faithfully and in turn is loyal to his own men in the end by sacrificing himself to save them. Similarly, Gawain takes on an additional oath of loyalty when stays with the lord. Sir Gawain also shows his loyalty by challenging the Green Knight in place of King Arthur.

Later, their loyalties are challenged in similar yet different ways. While Beowulf is, for the most part, loyal throughout the poem, Sir Gawain is not loyal to the lord that he swears loyalty to before he goes to meet the Green Knight. They each maintain an important relationship and loyalty to the religion of Christianity, though Beowulf's is admittedly more tenuous. It is clear that, while the people of Beowulf's day were Christian, their conversion seems to be only skin deep; a few references are made to sacrificing to other gods, and Beowulf and his kinsman seem to be all too interested in gaining material wealth of and fame. Overall, loyalty to your lord and other traditional themes seem much more important in Beowulf's culture than any religious loyalties. Sir Gawain, on the other hand, seems to be entirely Christian. In fact, contrary to Beowulf, the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight illustrates an important Christian lesson in the end. However, Sir Gawain's faith is not without its pitfalls either. He seems to bear more loyalty to the Virgin Mary than to Jesus Christ, and even that loyalty is challenged when he encounters the lord's tempting wife. This may show the rise of new theological concepts in Sir Gawain's day and shortly beforehand, and it is certainly an example of the rise of romantic literature. The romantic love between Sir Gawain and the lord's wife challenge Gawain's previous loyalties, perhaps showing how the culture of that day was challenging traditional concepts of loyalty.

There are a few other minor similarities and differences, but they seem to be much less significant. If anything, they help modern readers recognize the link between the two stories. Both Beowulf and Sir Gawain are represented and respected and powerful men, though Sir Gawain's actual physical strength is of little consequence in the end. Also, Beowulf was much more open and forward about his strength, reputation, and just plain awesomeness, whereas Gawain was significantly less prideful. However, these are much less important in showing us the common themes of loyalty in relationships and religion.

Sources:
Book - The Norton Anthology of English Literature, eighth edition, volume one