The Evolution of Masculine Identity Through British Literature Anonymous College

Ruth Mazo Karras argued that “the acquisition of masculinity in the European later Middle Ages was primarily a matter of proving oneself against others.” Strong male characters in texts such as Beowulf and Paradise Lost demonstrate that this principle is also true for men in the early Eighteenth-Century as well as the Renaissance. When male characters in Beowulf and Paradise Lost are compared to the characters in later texts such as The Rape of the Lock, and The Passionate Shepherd to his Love, we see that the masculine identity was not only defined by how the character compared to other men, but also how successfully they appealed to their romantic interests.

In the Medieval text Beowulf, the hero Beowulf is an epic fighter whose powers supercede any other earthly being. Beowulf proved himself most “manly” by fighting beasts in glorious battles, where he always ends up winning. Since his strength outperformed the strength of all other men, Beowulf was celebrated and respected, and eventually becomes King. Readers can tell that Beowulf is respected because other men look up to him and are willing to sacrifice their lives in order to be associated with him. For example, one of Beowulf’s companions Wiglaf, says to Beowulf; “Your...