For one thing, Beowulf is more verbose than Gawain; Gawain
says far less at any one time. For instance, in an early speech Beowulf goes on for 46
poetic lines )"Hygelac's, we, / fellows at board; I am Beowulf named") whereas Gawain
talks in prose for the equivalent of 33 poetic lines ("I beseech ye, my lord, let this
venture be mine"). Beowulf is self-vaunting, bragging ("Truth I claim it, / that I had
more of might in the sea / than any man else"), whereas Gawain is modest and humble (" I
am the weakest, I wot, and the feeblest of wit"). When Beowulf speaks to the woman
Wealhtheow, he speaks of two things: (1) he would fight till victory or death were won
("or fighting fall in death,") and (2) he would do the will of Wealhtheow's people ("I
would work the will of your people / fully"). When Gawain speaks to Lady Bertilak, he
reiterates that he is unworthy of his task ("unworthy am I")--which is decidedly unlike
Beowulf--and tells her that he will do her will ("I wot I will do even as it may please
ye").
In this brief overview, it is clear that Beowulf and
Gawain differ in their styles of speech in point of personal assessment and
self-description. While Beowulf speaks in glowing terms of his prowess and his
accomplishments and his expectations of accomplishment, Gawain speaks in humble phrases
about his prowess and abilities and discounts the value of his service to his king and
his host. It is also clear that both Beowulf and Gawain have a code of doing the will of
the person they deem to be in a higher position than themselves, kings and women both.
This presupposes that they have no suspicion or fear that such a person will attempt to
use them for dishonorable ends or will seek in any way to mistreat them: It presupposes
a mutually understood and acted upon code of honor and
trustworthiness.
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