The Supernatural in Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green...

The Supernatural is described as something that is unable to be explained by science or laws of nature or of relating to, or seeming to come magic, or a god (Merriam-Webster). In Beowulf the supernatural presents instelf in it’s monsters. Grendel, Grendel’s Mother, and the Dragon, all mythical creatures that only exist in tales of fiction. Beowulf also possess another element of the supernatural. The juxstapositon of a strong christian world view against those from the past who were well known pagans. In turn Beowulf positions the monsters in the work as biblical descendants of Cain. In Sir Gawain and Green Knight, supernatural plays a simlar role. The Green Knight is presented as a supernatural being from the start. He is able to move†¦show more content†¦This ablility is similar to that of the Green Knight in Sir Gawain and Green Knight. The Pearl Poet’s Sir Gawain the Green Knight, a tale about the arrival of a strange green knight at the christmas di nner of King Arthur’s court. The Green knight seems to grab all the attention as he makes his entrance. â€Å"All those standing there gazed, and warily crept closer†¦ so the folk there judeged it phantasm or magic†¦ and stunned by his words they sat there stock-still.† (Greenblatt, 190-191, 237-243). The only explanation they can give is that he must be somekind of apparation. His ghostly figure seems to arrest all the attendees, for they fear his supernatural presence. The Green Knight challenges King, Arthur, to the beheading game. He agrees and brings the axe down on the Green Knight’s head. â€Å"For he holds up the head in his hand†¦and the mouth uttered these words, which you shall know.† (Greenblatt, 195, 444-447). What human can survive the removal of his head? Only those who possess supernatural abilities. Although there is one element that sets both Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight apart from eachother. Magic appears i n Sir Gawain and the Green Knight when Morgan le Fay, A woman who delves in the arts of magic. She is responsible for changing Sir Bertilak into the Green Knight in hopes of striking fear in the Queen and the Knights of King Arthur. â€Å"She guided me in this guise to your great hall To put pride on trial, and to test with this trick †¦with his headShow MoreRelatedMain Ideas and Themes of Beowulf Essay1138 Words   |  5 Pages Beowulf and Sir Gawain have many things in common. We will be discussing them later on, but their main similarity is that theyre both heroes. A hero is a person who must pass through a test and a battle (mental, spiritual or physical) to help someone else. He must be selfless, and act for others rather than himself. All societies have supported heroes, like the ancient Greeks Hercules and the modern day Spiderman. 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