Herois Tradition throughout British Literature :: essays papers

Herois Tradition throughout British LiteratureThroughout British Literature, there are many instances of heroism. To be considered a hero by others in the term period of 449 to 1625, you must be, noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose especially, one who has risked or sacrificed his life (Morris 618). Four characters in British Literature that portray heroic traits are Beowulf, Sir Gawain, Macbeth, and the Knight of The Canterbury Tales. Beowulf shows himself summa cum laude of the title of organism a hero when he leaves his country to assistant a neighboring country, Denmark and rid them of the long lasting fear of a malicious monster known as Grendel. Sir Gawain is considered a hero by many because of his loyalty to King Arthur. He even risks his life so that King Arthur would live and participates in the Green Knights challenge. Although Macbeth has got a few to a greater extent faults than other heroes have in British Literature, his name is still corresponding wit h hero. Aristotle says the tragic hero has to fall from grace after being on top (Chui 1). Before the three witches tell Macbeth the false prophecies, Macbeth is in held is high accord, yet afterwards, his ambition tears him down and he does anything it takes kick upstairs the role of King. The Knight, from The Canterbury Tales, excels beyond all others when it comes to being a hero. He is the virtually loyal and is admired by the other characters for his courage, gallantry in participation and his exploits in war. He is on a religious pilgrims journey not to make money or any other avaricious operation that the other characters are on the pilgrimage for, he is on the pilgrimage to worship God, which is also honored by his peers as being heroic. every(prenominal) four characters mentioned have heroic traits and they all are considered heroes. Although they might pretend their title in different ways and for the wrong reasons, they are truly heroes. In British Literature, ma ny stories have been influenced by the heroic traditions of their time period. The characters, although in different stories, all portray the heroic tradition in British Literature.The character Beowulf, a man of great strength and bravery (Magill 388), is a hero in the way he defends his neighboring country, Denmark. When the sound out that a hostile creature, known as Grendel, was killing tons in Denmark, Beowulf set sail to help defend the people and rid them of the repulsive(a) monster.