Comparing Beowulf And The Redcrosse Knight - 1363 Words

During both the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the hero figure remained an important character for authors, but it was shown in different ways. While it was still important in both times, the definition of hero changed. During the Middle Ages a hero was someone who possessed bravery, fortitude, and loyalty. This changed during the era of the Renaissance where the hero was someone who possessed values of a Protestant: fidelity, hope, and charity. These ideas of a hero can be seen through Beowulf and the Redcrosse Knight. Though there are differences in the definition of a hero, there are similarities in the ways in which the two characters are portrayed fulfilling their heroic duties. The main difference between the hero during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance is that one is more focused on the ideals of religion while the other is focused on typical ideals of knighthood. Beowulf is essentially the perfect knight, having each value in spades. Beowulf has the heroic ideals of bravery, fortitude, and loyalty. In each situation that Beowulf encounters, he proves that he is a hero by displaying these values. Beowulf consistently expresses his bravery and fortitude is when he goes to battle on three different occasions. The first time he shows his bravery is when he hears of the trouble the Danes are experiencing and he decides to offer his â€Å"wholehearted help and counsel† (line 278). He shows this same bravery again when going after Grendel’s mother. This isn’t the