When the hero first struggled to be defined, there were many different observations and opinions readily available to throw into the crucible of definition. Since there was no television, in the early days of British literature we talked and read about heroes, then passed down from generation to generation. Reading these stories nowadays is interesting to watch because we can trace the difference in the heroes in Beowlf, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and The Faerie Queene and then literally across time. The differences that can be seen are the armor of the characters, the enemies they must face and the values ​​of each of them. Beowulf has no known author but is thought to have been written before the Anglo-Saxon exodus was completed but after the conquest began (p.30). The conversion of Anglo-Saxon pagans to Christianity by the mission of St. Augustine of Canterbury also occurred in this period. This could explain the greater focus on Christian themes throughout Beowulf, while Beowulf as a character is seen as a very pagan character (Lane). For example, Beowulf's armor is only briefly described because he himself was a pure hero. His armor didn't need to be elaborately described because he actually took it off when fighting Grendel. His chainmail saved him during the fight with Grendel's mother, but it was specifically pointed out that it only saved him “on the outside” (p.66). Later, when discussing the other heroes' armor, they wear their religion on their armor, while Beowulf wore plain armor but his intentions were pure. The enemies Beowulf faces are spirits. “Grendel cursed by God,” a demon descendant of Cain consumed his prey, Grendel's vengeful mother, and a dragging… middle of paper… Medieval Studies. Np, nd Web. October 28, 2011. Schwartz, Debora. "Study Questions on Spencer's Faerie Queene." Cal Poly CLA - College of Liberal Arts. Np, nd Web. October 27, 2011. Schwartz, Debora. “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Study Questions (NA 8th ed. [2006]).” Cal Poly CLA - College of Liberal Arts. Np, nd Web. October 27, 2011. Schwartz, Debora. “Questions on Studying Beowulf (NA 8h ed. [2006]).” Cal Poly CLA - College of Liberal Arts. Np, nd Web. 27 October 2011. “SparkNotes: The Faerie Queene: Context.” SparkNotes: Today's most popular study guides. Np, nd Web. October 31. 2011. .