Supernatural creatures play an important role in defining the hero in both the eighth-century epic poem Beowulf and the romance 14th century British Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Although both stories involve the hero's journey to find and fight these creatures, their battles serve distinct purposes. While Beowulf's ability to defeat Grendel and Grendel's mother in battle serves to reinforce his status as a powerful epic hero, Gawain's relationship with the Green Knight tests the hero's ability to balance his courtly duties and natural impulses. By undergoing tests in this way, the romantic hero can learn and change from his experiences; Beowulf, on the other hand, remains a powerful static figure in the manner of a true epic hero. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay To understand the role of the supernatural in these works, it is pertinent to also examine the origin of the supernatural in these works. The supernatural creatures in both works have their roots in Anglo-Saxon pagan tradition. Beowulf, an Anglo-Saxon poem, displays its Scandinavian roots throughout the text. The supernatural creatures present in the text, such as Grendel, his mother and the dragon, are clearly creatures from Germanic tradition. Similarly, the idea of ​​a green man presented in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a product of pagan tradition. In his introduction to the text, translator Brian Stone notes that the poet uses "pagan folk material drawn primarily from early Celtic tradition" (11). Although the idea of ​​a natural, wild man is a product of indigenous influences, the Green Knight, simply by name, is a dualistic character. By giving the creature the title of knight, the poet illustrates the French influence present in the poem. According to William Goldhurst, the juxtaposition of the terms "green" and "knight" in the creature's title serves to explain this dualism. “Its name reveals its paradoxical nature: green represents untamed natural forces, and the knight, the effects of courtly civilization” (64). This idea of ​​nature and civilization living in one body is evident in the first description the reader receives of the knight, which blends his impressive monster-like appearance with the elegant and chivalrous aspects of his clothing and mannerisms. The poet describes the knight's supernatural aspects by saying: "...a formidable man/who exceeded all earthly men in size, from throat to thigh, he was so stocky and square/...that he was half a giant on earth. /...and all shimmering green" (lines 136-150). This monstrous description is juxtaposed with a description of the knight's fine clothing, alluding to the fact that this creature is also refined: "And green garments gird the man -/...A lovely coat on top, complete with lining/Of the finest fur there is, made in one piece,/a wonderful fur-trimmed material, with matching hood" (lines 151-155) Not only is this knight a civilized creature in the manner of a member of the French court, but he is also a civilized creature with an exquisite taste for luxurious clothing while the knight's elegant attire and manners show. he influence of the French on this British romance, the wild "greenness" of the knight displays the pagan influence By understanding the origins of the supernatural creatures presented in the poems, it is easier to interpret what role these creatures played. play in each of theworks. In both poems, the monsters, Grendel, his mother, and the Green Knight serve as physical obstacles that the hero must overcome. Although the supernatural creature of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight plays an additional role to the hero, for Beowulf the creatures serve only as objects to be conquered to continually restore the hero's strength. Fighting supernatural creatures is part of the daily life of an epic hero like Beowulf, who regularly proves his physical prowess in battle. Beowulf himself notes his great abilities during his meeting with Hrothgar: "In my youth I performed many daring feats... I destroyed five, a family of giants, and at night I killed monsters on the waves..." (Lines 407-419) . In the same way that Beowulf uses his past accomplishments in battle to prove his status as a true and capable hero, the fights with Grendel and Grendel's mother only serve to further exalt Beowulf's physical abilities and courage. After mortally wounding Grendel at Heorot, those in the mead hall praise Beowulf. "Then Beowulf's feat was acclaimed; many men repeatedly asserted that there was not a better shield-bearer in all the world, north or south between the two seas, under the expanse of heaven, not much more worthy of his own kingdom” (lines 856-860). His greatness, which the poet establishes at the beginning of the text, strengthens with each battle he wins. The same goes for his victory over Grendel's mother. Victory does not change Beowulf; rather it underlines its greatness. "Then the fearless leader of the thanes, covered with glory, incomparable in battle, entered Heorot again..." (lines 1644-1646). The battle with Grendel's mother only reiterates Beowulf's abilities rather than emphasizing a personal journey or change. This idea of ​​a static hero is a major theme of the epic genre. In contrast, the Green Knight serves as a catalyst for internal change within Gawain. This idea of ​​an inner journey or improvement of the hero is an idea that we find mainly in romance in the French version, but which is also found in this text. The Green Knight, a creature the poet describes as both savage and civilized, tests not only Gawain's physical strength but also his inner strength to carry out his courtly responsibilities. Numerous descriptions throughout the text illustrate the Green Knight's role as a representation of the balance between nature and civilization. In the description of the Knight of the Green Chapel, the poet describes the creature in one instance as a "courteous knight", and in the next describes its animal-like movements by saying that the creature "...strides /advanced violently and ferociously.” in the width of the field/On the snow” (lines 2212-2235). By creating such a dualistic adversary for the hero, the poet is hinting that there is more to this battle than meets the eye. The physical combat, the journey across a harsh landscape to exchange blows with the Green Knight, is not the main battle of the poem. The most trying battle proves to be the temptation Gawain experiences in Sir Bertilak's castle, a courtly battle rather than one involving physical force on the battlefield. Thus, although the Green Knight acts as Gawain's physical adversary in the natural landscape of the Green Chapel, he also acts as his adversary in a more civilized setting. Because the story does not focus on winning a physical battle against the supernatural creature, as is the case in Beowulf, the hero's failure to defeat the Green Knight and honor his promise to his host.