Robin Hood, King Arthur and Beowulf - Essay Example

The concept of what it means to be a hero is a major theme in literature that has taken on different meanings. The protagonist who embodies the virtues and ideals that should make up for the model of human conduct must also be tainted with internal or external conflicts in order to render him human and makes for the molding of a hero readers can identify with. Ultimately, it is in overcoming forces outside his control and a little too often his own self that he transcends into that character that propels him to acquiring such honor. Robin Hood, King Arthur and Beowulf are all heroes of classic English literary tradition that provides for the understanding of heroes and what they represent. Each has primary virtues that distinctly make them great characters. Robin Hood exemplifies the outlaw who gives importance to the sense of community toward equality. King Arthur is the dominant representation of authority preserving justice and nobility in his realm. Beowulf is a hero whose name echoes across seas and though he is not devoid of pride, he is the quintessential hero as he goes to battle bravely and not only for personal gain. In all the texts where the three heroes are featured, one gets a sense of religiosity among them with reference to Christianity, Mother Mary or God in general, which gives them a sense of greater purpose. Robin Hood in Robin Hood and the Potter follows his adventure of going into Notynggam, pretending to be a potter and selling the real potter’s wares while fraternizing with the sheriff. Robin Hood was described as courteous and generous. Then in reference to the Virgin Mary he is pronounced to honor all women with utmost respect. Nevertheless, Robin Hood remains to be a flawed character that is not beyond petty humanly vices such as gambling or cursing, and more significantly, reckless hubris. In the story, he gambles with Little John and curses as customary of the time and his character. He sells the pots at a ridiculous bargain. In town he meets the sheriff’s wife, and eventually the sheriff himself, who witnessed personally his talent in archery. The latter unaware that he is making friends with the outlaw he had been looking for. This is an elaborate show of mockery on Robin Hood’s part. Even as the story ends, it is quite absurd that he gives the potter ten pounds for his items that are worth only two nobles. This is incongruent to the idea that he gives to the poor by giving an abundant amount to a merchant. The same piety of Robin Hood is even more evident in Robin Hood and the Monk where it was declared that “He prayed to God and myld Mary” for his safety (line 69.) King Arthur, although a good man in the most essential way, is no close to being a hero in The Awntyrs Off Arthur. He is illustrated purely as a noble and just monarch. King Arthur has the makings and all the accessories that makes for a great king. The grandeur of his throne and the prosperity of his kingdom is the backdrop of his life. In their gatherings, the presence of the knights in all their glory and of Guinevere in her majesty yields no connection to his own chivalry. Reference to Christian values and tradition as familiar in medieval texts was contained but only in a general sense and not particularly as a value integral to King Arthur. Gawain makes reference to God a number of times and specifically to Jesus Christ as he mentions Bethlehem, “gon is, God wote!” translating to “God Knows” (line 547). This suggests that the battle between Gawain and Sir Galeron was to be decided on the will of God. But there is little to no indication to bravery or conflict that could render King Arthur into becoming the hero that he should be. In this text, the focus of heroic acts remain on Sir Gawain who is fundamentally the champion of King Arthur and his round table. The Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf similarly recognizes the presence of a higher being as a proponent of the outcome of the main character. Reference is made to Father Almighty who shall determine the battles that Beowulf takes part off. The signification given to God injects providence and deviates partly from notions that it is entirely of self-foreboding that things will go one’s way. The poem is principally a study of what it means to be a hero and a king. It explores the question of what a good king should be and how he should rule including how far feuds must go and how many deaths must endure. Beowulf is the personification of a hero who comes in all his glory in times of need when people have no other hope and are lost at grief of the things that befall upon them. Grendel, as his mortal enemy, represents evil and is literally a monster who wreaks havoc among the people. In the earlier digressions of the poem, Beowulf took hold of every opportunity to rise above and be hailed as a hero. Despite his downfall and defeat from the dragon on the later digressions, Beowulf had already established himself to be a hero to such an extent that he deserved a hero’s funeral and the immortality he set out to attain early on in life. As Beowulf prepares to meet the mother of Grendel, his glorious apparel fitting of a hero was described explicitly. “Beowulf got ready/ donned his war-gear, indifferent to death” (lines 1442-1443). His wear includes a splendid helmet with boars engraved on it made of gold and suitable for a prince. This was made by a smith who had labored extensively and that no sword had penetrated through it. His main weapon, a sword forged in blood as described in the poem, has its own name, Hrunting, lent by Unferth which had correspondingly been witness to great success in the hands of those who used it in combat. Relating to Beowulf and the endeavor he is to face, “This was not the first time/ it had been called to perform heroic feats” (lines 1463-1464). He signifies the headstrong hero as the main character of the narrative who is dauntless in the face of adversities. Beowulf had to face creatures outside the realm of Earth. He faces monsters and creatures that are beyond the confines of human understanding. He was even made to battle underwater which is only parallel to the magical hints and otherworldly characters present throughout the poem. Yet, not one of these creatures fazed him and he looks at every challenge as an opportunity to prove himself as a great conqueror. Nevertheless, he would be underscore graciousness even in victory. “But the Lord of Men allowed me to behold/ for He often helps the unbefriended” (lines 1661-1662). His conduct and his speech evoke a quality of magnanimity and emphasize his high regard for justice. In this scene where he was able to wield a sword when he lost his own, one that is for giants to kill another, he attributes this fortune from a being that is higher than him or any creature. Contrary to the pride that later on gets the best of him, his virtue continues to resonate despite his accomplishments. Robin Hood keeps is in the company of his merry band who serve as his accomplice in their schemes while King Arthur has his noble Knights of the Round Table that are his confidante and defenders. Beowulf, on the other hand, is without strong characters behind him except for Wiglaf who also serves as the voice of reason upon his death. Nevertheless, he was very concerned with his “comrades in arms” (line 1481) and instructs Hrothgar to take care of them in case he perishes in the battle with Grendel’s mother. He wanted Geats to receive the treasures that would have rightfully belonged to him for his quest. Looking after the welfare of the land which was his own had been of great import to him. This was however challenged by Wiglaf later on when he takes on vanquishing the dragon. Wiglaf looked at his death as a tragedy not only because it was the end of the life of his king and a great man, but more importantly, because Geats will lose their champion who was supposed to protect them from any invader. The promise of gold which the dragon kept for his greed became the end of Beowulf. Thereafter, the value of all these treasures came to nothing as they had been viewed as cursed, and, though Beowulf himself had not really been prompted because of fortune, his greed for glory and victory was much harder to resist. Beowulf’s funeral was a suitable commemoration of a hero. There, the people of Geats grieved in his passing as they instituted the rites for their king. They mourned his death and they lamented the future that awaits them. “It was their hero’s memorial;/ what remained from the fire” (line 3160). He was able to surmount the obstacles and came out the victor. Even in his final battle he was able to slay his enemy. He is a hero because he was able to face his foes on his own. On the contrary, Robin Hood hid under a disguise as he faced the sheriff and made a farce of their meeting. King Arthur may have been fair in not letting anyone get hurt between Sir Gawain and Sir Galeron but he allowed the former to fight on his bidding. But Beowulf took on battles not entirely for selfish reasons but also because he wanted to help. A king is not necessarily a hero inasmuch as a hero does not need to be a king. In all his misgivings, Beowulf may not be considered a great king but he is a hero nonetheless. Read More