HEROIC IDEAS IN BEOWULF AND LE MORTE D’ARTHUR: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MEDIEVAL HEROISM
Keywords:
Heroism, Medieval Hero, Heroic Code, Chivalry, Courage, Cultural Values, Strength and Morality, Epic Traditions, Anglo-Saxon Literature, Mythological Archetypes.Abstract
The figure of the Indo-European Hero is deeply multifaceted, embodying both the
highest virtues and the most destructive impulses of human nature. While heroes often
reflect the most admirable ideals of their societies, they also carry within them a
capacity for violence that can threaten even those they are meant to protect. In The
Medieval Hero, Dr. Connell Monette explores a broad spectrum of heroic narratives
from Celtic, Persian, and Anglo-Saxon traditions, uncovering the underlying truths
about heroism—its origins, defining traits, sources of power, and the principles of the
Heroic Code. Demonstrating remarkable expertise in historical languages, Monette
presents readers with original excerpts alongside English translations from Classical
Persian, Old Irish, Old English, and Classical Greek. This work provides valuable
insight into the heroic figure in ancient and medieval epics and offers readers the tools
to recognize key themes in contemporary reinterpretations of the heroic genre. A
comparative analysis of Beowulf and Le Morte d’Arthur reveals a clear evolution in
the concept of heroism—from the pagan model focused on individual strength and
battlefield glory to the medieval ideal shaped by chivalric values and communal
responsibility. Whereas Beowulf highlights extraordinary physical power and personal
bravery as the essence of a hero,
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Malory, Thomas. Le Morte d’Arthur. Edited by William Caxton, 1485.
Bullough, Donald A. Anglo-Saxon Heroic Ideals. University of Toronto Press,
