The concept of the hero has evolved and is represented differently throughout literature. In the stories of Beowulf, the Lais of Marie de France, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the idea of the hero is present. However, each of these influential stories depicts different aspects of heroism, showing a variety of traits that define the hero in a novel. Overall the common theme of the hero is that they are an individual that overcomes conflict with the intention of helping others.
In Beowulf, the depiction of heroism is that of courage and bravery. The physical appearance of the protagonist had to be accompanied by selflessness for the greater good, as it was an integral part of being a hero. Beowulf is defined as the hero due to his ability to defeat the obstacle, which in this case is Grendel, without being armed. This demonstrates both the typical traits of heroism which is his physical strength and his selfless act. Furthermore, later on in the story, revenge is sought by Grendel`s mother as her son was mortally wounded by Beowulf. He then kills her with her own sword. Here heroism is depicted by the ability of the hero to be capable of defeating supernatural beings, making it a fight between mortal and supernatural. This aspect of the untouchable adds to the impressive element of the protagonist`s win, further defining him as the hero of the story.
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When analyzing epic narratives, it is made evident that they were meant to depict a man as being in control of his fate, not predetermined by supernatural beings. Towards the end of the story, Beowulf fights the dragon that had ravaged his kingdom. Although Beowulf himself was now old, with it being fifty years since he killed Grendel`s mother, he still proves his ability. In the end, he manages to kill the dragon, but not without shortly succumbing to his own death.
Victoria Symons points out an interesting correlation between the monsters and Beowulf, for both Grendel and Beowulf arrive as outsiders, have a complicated family history, and fight without weapons. Grendel`s mother and Beowulf were both motivated by vengeance and Beowulf`s last wish were to see the fortunes that the dragon had greedily defended. This, therefore, begs the question, what exactly defines Beowulf as a hero, which differentiates him so greatly from the monsters he fought.
The thing that allows Beowulf to distinguish himself from the monsters is his will to defend his people at any cost, sacrificing even himself. The story, therefore, follows the epic narrative; Beowulf chooses his own fate, ignoring the obstacle of his age and the strength of the supernatural creature, but instead becomes a hero who gives his life for others to live.
Beowulf formed what is referred to as the traditional form of epic poems and therefore the traditional characteristics of a hero. However, the story of Marie de France in Lanval introduces a new aspect to the traditional epics. The typical story of what made a hero, is a man saving the woman by any means necessary, no matter the damage to his own being. In Lanval, this narrative is flipped, where the woman saves the man.
Marie de France lived in the era of Eleanor of Aquitaine who preferred the idea of women playing integral roles in plays. This inspired the reversal of roles in Marie de France`s stories, especially in Lanval. In it she adopts the fairy mistress motif that was traditionally used in Celtic stories. It is the concept where a beautiful lady comes from another land and falls in love with a man. However, the man must never reveal their love, for if he breaks the pact, he is punished by the lady as she will withdraw her love. He promises her this saying I shall do as you bid and abandon all others for you. I never want to leave you and this is what I most desire (Lanval 75) He stands by this value, not relinquishing it even though it later causes him conflict. Lanval`s depiction of heroism, therefore, differs slightly as it is depicted by the virtue of love rather than physical strength, as was the case in Beowulf.
The king`s wife wanted to engage in an affair with Lanval. When he refuses her, saying even the poorest girl, is worth more than you, my lady the Queen, in body, face, beauty, wisdom, and goodness. (Lanval 77) This rejection led to the Queen's ego being damaged, resulting in her telling her husband that Lanval had requested her love and because she had refused him, had insulted and deeply humiliated her (Lanval 77). Now, he is forced to he has a lover or else be banished. Knowing he had broken his word to his lover, he prepares to be banished. However, she turns up in court and confesses her love. Together they then ride off into the sunset. This is an interesting ending since there seem to be two heroes that share the spotlight at the end. Lanval is the hero in terms of keeping his word and not forsaking his morals, whereas Lanval`s lover comes to the man`s rescue. This inverts the traditional role of the hero where the man saves the damsel in distress.
If we were to adhere to these traditional actions of the hero, Lanval`s lover would be named as such. When she arrives Lanval exclaims if she shows me no mercy, I hardly care if anyone should kill me, for my cure is in seeing her (Lanval 81). This exclamation of emotions and vulnerability is traditionally attributed to women, whereas here it is the woman that is admired and come to save the day. This atypical presentation of a hero, not previously explored in medieval literature, leads to the idea that a hero must not rely on physical attributes or gender, but it is rather their actions and courage that define them.
Marie de France pushes the ideas of the epic poem to the next level, where the hero would suffer as a consequence of doing the morally right thing, by staying loyal to both the king and his lover. This is typical in Shakespearian tragedy, where the hero's rightful actions are the cause of their demise. However, where Shakespeare`s tragedies create a sorrowful mood at the hero`s downfall, Marie de France culminates in joy, a happy ending of sorts, where justice is served. Heroism, therefore, differs from Beowulf`s depiction of physical strength, battles, and sacrifice, but rather depicted by virtue of honesty, love, and justice.
This idea of depicting the hero with virtues rather than physical strength is seen in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Sir Gawain, the main protagonist, and nephew of King Arthur are faced by the challenge of the Green Knight. Selflessly he volunteers himself after the Green Knight exclaims that someone should dare give a stroke in exchange for another (Sir Gawain, 286). Although this occasion is a challenge, and a portrayal of bravery, courage, and chivalry in order to save King Arthur, it is not Sir Gawain`s only moment of heroism. He is able to chop off the Green Knight's head in one motion so that the warrior`s weapon shattered the bones and cuts through the flesh, severing it completely (Sir Gawain, 424). This display of physical strength and self-sacrifice is the traditional defining feature of a hero. Yet, this definition of heroism is expanded, beyond the traditional, for Sir Gawain honors his word to the Green Knight, meeting with him a year later. However, unbeknownst to himself, during his journey to meet with the Green Knight, Sir Gawain, is tested constantly, begging the question if he is everything he claims to be.
The aspect of faithfulness and luck of greed is depicted presented in the story as being acts of heroism. During the journey, Sir Gawain is on the brink of starvation when he encounters the beautiful castle that is owned by Lord Bertilak de Hautdesert and his wife. Telling them of his task ahead with the Green Knight, Bertilak informs him that the Green chapel is only a mile away and encourages him to stay as a guest.
During his stay, Lady Bertilak tries to seduce him while her husband hunts. Gawain does not give in to temptation but does accept the gift of the green girdle which he is told will grant him safety from death in battle. Heroic in his refusal to sleep with a married woman, but not quite truthful in not telling the Lord about the green girdle, he meets the Green Knight at the chapel. Prepared for his fate, Sir Gawain bends and waits for the Green Knight to strike him down. However he flinches, an action not typically associated with that of the traditional hero, who should stand tall and strong opposite his opponent. The strike only makes a mark on Sir Gawain`s neck, but on the third strike, the Green Knight reveals himself to be Lord Bertilak. He is spared, and Sir Gawain is defined as a hero because of his virtues rather than his strength. The ability to stick to his word and be faithful to Lord Bertilak ultimately saves him.
What is interesting about the story of Sir Gawain is that it is not his actions or the traditional physical strength of a hero that saves him. He did not act honorably by keeping the device that he believed would grant him immortally, but rather made his actions selfish and perhaps cowardly. Alan M. Markman points out that there is not a line that ascribes to the hero any superhuman or supernatural quality... His sword does not gleam like the rays of the sun. (Markman 576) He is not defined as a hero through supernatural attributes, but rather the fact that he is capable of honoring an agreement that allows him to save face and return to Camelot as a hero.
Gawain passes the first test and acts honorably throughout his journey, but in the end, he fails. Fear of the Green Knight, fear of losing, and fear of disgrace lead him to accept the green girdle that he believes will protect him. Thus, we see that even the most heroic of men are flawed, but that emotions such as fear do not make us any less brave or heroic, but rather encourage us to remember that we are humans who experience emotions and it is up to us to decide how we can utilize them to make us stronger.
We, therefore, see three different representations of the hero within these stories. One hero relies on his physical strength and displays actions of selflessness, whereas the other stays loyal to his friends and lover, sticking to his moral code, and another may present a hint of cowardliness as he is tested repeatedly, but ultimately stays true to his word. Overall the common theme of the hero seems to be that they can be defined as individuals that overcome conflict with the intension of helping others and staying true to their word.
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