The masculinity in Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - Essay Example

Similarly, Sir Gawain is highly praised by the people around him for his penetrating valor and supreme manners. His intimidating manliness and relentless bravery help him win the reputation of an excellent knight. The purpose of this essay is to stress on the reality of this claim that “both Beowulf and Sir Gawain are ideal examples of masculine heroes of different times who adhere to a strict code of conduct to maintain their macho image and demonstrate their courageous skills.” Beowulf is known to have possessed unparalleled and astounding perseverance which together with his heroic male robustness enabled him to win the first two wars as told in the poem.

He prefers a hand-to-hand war to have more opportunity to display his masculinity as is evident when the poem says, “hand-to-hand / is how it will be, a life-and-death / fight with the fiend.” (438-40). The poem suggests that he may have delighted in impulsive display of his strength sometimes, but when he arrives in Denmark he is politically very smart and likes to use his strength more purposefully. In accordance with the desires of a masculine figure of authority, he likes to use his power “to combat evil and win fame” (Staver 23-24). . Staver (54) suggests that this preference to fight without a sword shows Beowulf’s deep faith in God that He will make him win since it is desired by him.

Discussing gender roles in context of Beowulf’s masculinity is very important. It tells us that the concept of male dominance was ubiquitous in that society. Women were not trusted with power because it was considered the prized prerogative of men. A man could not have been considered a hero without extravagant display of virile strength as masculinity was one thing which was respected above everything else. Beowulf is a perfect example of a masculine hero because he possesses all attributes of masculinity and the concept of male dominance.

The poem itself is considered predominantly masculine in accordance with the common trend of those times. Everything about it is masculine from the characters through the storyline to the target audience. All main characters are male, the storyline of the poem reflects a male perspective, and it attempt to attract the male audience by catering to their interests. The message conveyed by Beowulf is that the importance of a patriarchal society cannot be stressed enough in which men have absolute power.

The male hero in the poem has an obvious disregard and even contempt for the idea of female independence or authority. When the poem says about Wealhtheow who is a queen, “Adorned in her gold, she graciously saluted / the men in hall,” (614-15), it is suggested that a woman’s only purpose of life is to serve men because the right to rule is the prerogative of men. Throughout the poem, many words and phrases are used to imply thoughts of male dominance and female obedience. There are perfect examples of masculine