Sir Gawain And Everyman example essay topic

As we come to know the two protagonists in the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and in the play Everyman, it is patent that the two characters develop as heroes through their faith in Christianity and in a higher power. Although the method of characterization differs, both Sir Gawain and Everyman discuss the development of a Christian hero. Sir Gawain and Everyman both possess real human traits such as fear, self-pity and dishonesty and through their natural flaws both characters excel, thus becoming not any ordinary heroes, but Christian heroes. Sir Gawain is immediately introduced in the poem as a character of courage and loyalty when he takes the challenge of the Green Knight, putting his life before that of the kings. "Gawain goes to the guest with gisarme in hand, / And boldly he bides there, abashed not a whit". (S.G. 375-376) Everyman related to Sir Gawain in many ways; however his traits were manifested differently. Everyman was introduced as a realistic character he seemed apathetic about death until it spoke to him and told him he was on a journey to reach death.

"On thee thou must take a long journey". Although Sir Gawain's actions in challenging the green knight were heroic, he was flawed as a character because his loyalty was not whole hearted. He exhibited a fear of death when he chose to keep the green girdle without confessing to his host that he possessed it. "He clasps him accordingly and kisses him thrice, / As amiably and as earnestly as ever could". (S.G. 1936-1937) Instead, Sir Gawain excepted the gift of the "magical" girdle because he believed it to posse a power that would protect him from being killed by the green knight. In no way did Gawain intend to implement actions of disloyalty however; he was putting himself first and neglecting to show his loyal nature to the host. Because thinking of our selves first is by way of human nature, Sir Gawain was not regarded as a disloyal character.

He expressed his remorse for his doing and in return, the fellow knights supported him. "Each brother of that band, a baldric should have, / A belt borne oblique, of bright green". (S.G. 2516-2517) Sir Gawain prevailed nevertheless because he still faced his fear and kept his word to the green knight. Somewhere along his brave journey Sir Gawain turned to God for help. He relied on a higher power to give him the discipline and the courage to face his fear head on. For the second time, a sense of selfishness is exhibited. Everyman put himself before anyone else and wanted all of the help brought to his advantage.

Everyman asked everyone he could to help "Yeah, good Fellowship, yea: / I am in great jeopardy... wherefore I pray you bear me company... ". (EM. 210-212) because once again, he expressed a fear of death. Everyman believed that he could win the battle against death by using bribes and good friends, he felt that he had the resources to overcome death, and the faith at hand.

Only realizing that he himself was the one person he could depend on and also that the only thing that could bring him ineffable happiness was the good deeds he completed on his journey. In this specific aspect there was a direct relation with human nature as all humans fear death and want someone to walk with them, holding their hand and comforting them on the long journey to death. It was through his fear that Everyman prevailed as a hero because just as Sir Gawain, wanted to set his slate clean by "confessed all his cares and discomfiture's many" (S.G. 2495) to God, Arthur and his court. Everyman also turned to God in his time of need realizing that God was always there to help him conquer fears. "O glorious fountain that all uncleanness doth clarify, Wash from me the spots of vice unclean, That on me no sin may be seen".

(EM. 545-548) Everyman asked God to cleanse him, make him pure and free of sin. This shows that Everyman has found faith in God and is ready for the next phase in Gods plan for him. Everyman lost his companions along the journey however he did find God. He was afraid and alone but because of his good deeds, he found true happiness. Sir Gawain and Everyman prove themselves to be true heroes.

Through their own natural flaws, Sir Gawain and Everyman excel as characters, they learn they must overcome their fears and fight though what eve may be dealt their way. By turning to religion, believing in their faith of Christianity and to a higher power, the two protagonists develop as real life heroes- not any ordinary heroes, but Christian heroes.