Essay about A True Hero in the Poem, Sir Gawain and the...

A True Hero in the Poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight What makes a man a hero? Where lies the line which, when crossed, changes a mortal man into a legend? World leaders of our generation are mockeries of real men, more like Pilates than Thomas Mores. ( Gagne) In the poem of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the definition of a hero is clearly explained. Gawain is faced with trials and tribulations throughout the poem, but what clearly defines the crossover from man to hero? Tests and decisions are as numerous in any mans life as are the beats of his heart. ( Gagne) But what draws the line between a man and a hero is what he learns from lifes lessons. In destines sad or merry, True men can but try. ( Gawain) It tells†¦show more content†¦It explains to the reader that no matter how many times a man fails or succeeds in his life, it comes down to whether or not they give it there all or not. You really have to look back to grasp what exactly Gawain was putting at risk when he stood up to the challenge to save King Arthur. Not only was his pride and reputation at stake here, but his life as well. And he was the only one of Arthurs court who stood up. He could have just as easily been content to let Arthur have his go, but he showed such vidality and courage by coming forward. ( King Arthur had to since he was the King and had to stand up for his court or be put to shame.) The poem unceasingly forced Gawain to face difficult decisions. Gawain could simply have left Camelot and not complete his mission of finding the Green Knight. He knew his head was going to be hacked off when he arrived, but as a man of his word, he went. When arriving at the mysterious castle, he was tested three more times by the queen. Though he did fail the last test by keeping the green girdle, who wouldnt have. What really proves Gawain to be a true hero is when he bares his neck for the Green Knights axe. The Green Knight knows he has the green girdle, and decides to play with Gawain a little, but he knew that Gawain was not a coward, but human. He told Gawain that he had lacked a little, but only because of hisShow MoreRelatedEssay about Sir Gawain and the Green Knight964 Words   |  4 PagesSir Gawain and the Green Knight In this passage taken from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Lines 1623-1718, the reader sees how Sir Gawain is the hero of the poem, through the tests of the host. Sir Gawain is speaking to the host of the castle where he is staying for a few days before journeying on to the Green Chapel. The host has just returned from hunting and killing some boar. 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