The Green K Essay, Research Paper
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight I really enjoyed this reading. I have always loved tales of King Arthur s court and this reading is right up my alley. The story line begins with all the Round Table knights of Arthur’s court gathered to celebrate Christmas. Everything is depicted as being light and joyful, lines 37-59. I love the romantic tone of the writing, everything is so richly depicted. The feast begins with trumpets blaring, the food is brought in, they hear a noise, and a knight comes hurtling into the hall. He is unknown, of great size, but so good-looking, and entirely green. His equipment is green and gold, his horse too is green, even his very long hair is green, to say nothing of his monstrous beard. Its amazing the detail put into describing the knight, lines 136-220, I am sure many illustrations have been based on this description, wow. I have to laugh though, my first reaction was a vision of the Jolly Green Giant. Arthur s court of course reacts in bewilderment. This knight is not dressed in black or red, so is presumably not evil. He is not armed to fight, and in one hand he carries a branch of holly, but in the other he has a huge and very sharp ax, which is also decked out with ribbons of green and gold. Is this a knight, a giant, or a spirit of nature(Jolly Green Giant)? The Green Knight then explains his purpose in Arthur s court. He explains he has come to play a game, not to fight. The game involves an exchange of blows with his ax. This year if one of the knights is bold enough to give him a blow, he must be ready to take a return blow from him this time next year. The knights of the round table just sit in silence so the knight begins to mock them, lines 309-316. Arthur grabs the ax, but Gawain his nephew insists that the king is too important to take such a risk, and asks to take his place. The knight insists on his clearly stating the contract of their game, but when Gawain asks where he must go to meet him next year the Green Knight says that he will tell him after the blow. Sir Gawain duly cuts off the knight’s head, which rolls around on the floor while the body bleeds but does not fall. Instead it goes and picks up its head, jumps onto the horse, and the head then opens its eyes and tells Sir Gawain to look for the Green Chapel, which he is sure to find if he looks for it. Then knight then gallops out. I wonder at what point he put his head back on. In regards to what the Green Knight is, I am leaning towards and element of nature or at least something enchanted. I also like the idea of the knight being green in light of the regeneration of plants when cut down or back. The party then continues as if nothing much has happened. I guess this kind of incident is quite normal to the Knights of the round table.Time passes and Sir Gawain will soon have to face the Green Knight. When the time comes, he duly arms, before setting out. His armor is described heavy detail, much like that of the Green Knight s. It is very rich in imagery, lines 569-665. Gawain sets out on his journey and on Christmas Eve he attends Christmas Mass and prays. At once he sees a fine castle appear, rather like magic. I don t know why, but I can see a Disney movie coming from this story line. The castle is another item that has great attention given to it, lines 768-806. Gawain goes to the castle and is greeted the very large brown-haired lord of the castle, but luckily not green. The people are most impressed when they learn that this is the famous Sir Gawain. The beautiful lady of the castle comes to see him, accompanied by a hideous old woman. Why is the hideous old woman not introduced? On St. John’s Day, Gawain explains his quest, and the lord tells him that it is close to the house, so that he has no need to go any farther. Instead Gawain should rest while his host goes hunting. The lord then proposes an exchange of winnings: he will give Gawain what he catches in the forest, while Gawain will give him everything he receives during each day. This sounds to me like another unusual game, much like the earlier beheading game. I often wonder why characters are so blind to things that are to come.
Three days pass, each day the exchange of winnings takes place. On the first day the lord goes out and finds many deer that he kills; meanwhile the beautiful lady of the house attempt to seduce Gawain, offering herself as his servant. She taunts him and states that he is obviously not Sir Gawain, since he has not even asked for a kiss. They kiss once. In the forest, the hunters butcher the deer, bring it home, and give it to Gawain, who then in return gives the lord a kiss. Asked where he got it, Gawain says that their contract did not require him to tell.The next day the lord hunts a dangerous wild boar and the bedroom scene is repeated, beginning and concluding in a kiss. The boar is cut up and brought home to Gawain, who give the lord two kisses. On the third day the hounds go after a fox, the bedroom scene is repeated again with the lady wearing a dress that reveals much of her body. She offers herself to Gawain, and he very courteously refuses. As the lady gets ready to leave she asks for a gift, but he claims to have nothing worthy of her. She offers him a fine ring, he rejects it since he has nothing to offer in return. Then she removes a green and gold belt she is wearing, to give him, and explains that it is magic, that the man wearing it cannot be killed. I think Gawain should begin to get a bit suspicious at this time. I would be watching out for anything green this close to his quest s end. Gawain accepts the belt when thinking about the dangers of the next day. When it comes time to exchange trophies with the lord, Gawain just gives him the day’s three kisses, but not the belt, and gets the fox-skin in return. Finally, the quest has ended and Gawain sets out for the Green Chapel. Here he meets the Green Knight with his ax. They prepare, but as the ax is dropping, Gawain flinches. The Green Knight stops, and says that this cannot be Sir Gawain, who was never afraid. The second time, Gawain does not move, but the Green Knight stops the blow in order to speak. The third time the ax passes by, only lightly cutting the side of Gawain s neck. Then the Green Knight begins to explain, that the first blow was for the first day, back in the castle, the second for the second, because then Gawain had kept his contract, but on the third day he failed, and therefore he was wounded. Sir Gawain is overwhelmed with shame. He confesses his fault, the Green Knight absolves him, and laughs, inviting him back to the castle. Gawain declines blaming women for tempting men, and prefers to leave, asking only for the girdle and the Green Knight’s name. Funny, it was not the woman that lied to the Green Knight and kept the belt. The Green Knight s name is Bercilak de Hautdesert, but explains that he owes everything to Morgan le Faye, the ugly old lady back in the castle. She sent him to frighten Guinevere. Such a feat just to frighten a queen, but I don t think it was Guinevere who was messing herself when the ax blade was swinging. Gawain returns to Camelot wearing the girdle as a sign of repentance and is very humiliated. The court hears his story, and takes the girdle as a general token of valor.In conclusion, my first impulse is to ask what is the moral of our story? Don t lie to a lord when his wife is trying to seduce you? Don t accept gifts from women who seduce you? Don t go on quests when the only likely reasoning for the strife is an old hag trying to scare a queen? Well, I do not know what the moral is, or even if there is to be one, but I know I enjoyed the reading.
36b
Другие работы по теме:
Gawian Essay Essay Research Paper English 120November
Gawian Essay Essay, Research Paper English 120 November 19, 1996 In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight the three hunts of Bercilak were similar to the three seductions of Gawain. Bercilak and Gawain made a bargain at the castle. Bercilak said ?Whatever I earn in the woods will be yours, whatever you win will be mine in exchange.? (Gawain 81) The Green Knight tells Gawain that he was sent by Morgana Le Fay because she wanted to test Gawain?s pride and ?determine the truth of the Round Table?s fame, and the tales that tell of it.? (Gawain 123)
Fabric And Jewelery In Sir Gawain And
The Green Knight Essay, Research Paper Erin Kilkenny English Comp & Lit Cathy Seigel March 7, 2000 Sir Gawain Essay In literature, insights into characters, places, and events are often communicated to the reader by symbolic references within the text. This is the case in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. In this Medieval romance, the colors and textures of fabrics and jewelry are used heavily by the poet not only as a descriptive tool, but also to give the reader information about the characters? personalities and roles within the story.
Chivalry In Sir Gawain And The Green
Knight Essay, Research Paper During the Middle Ages, knights lived their lives following the chivalric code. In an essay, define the chivalric code and prove how Gawain , in ?Sir Gawain and the Green
Sir Gawain 2 Essay Research Paper Sir
Sir Gawain 2 Essay, Research Paper Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is the most intact of the Middle English Romances, and for this, it is one of the most important pieces that allows the reader to better understand the style and influences of Middle English novelists. While the story of a chivalric quest in search of a mystical being allows the reader to delve into the ideologies and ways of thinking of the medieval people, it is the author’s diction and literary devices that make this work able to be fully appreciated by the reader.
Sir Gawian And The Green Knight Essay
, Research Paper In the Epic poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the unnamed author uses Sir Gawain to illustrate the heroic ideals of chivalry, loyalty and honesty in fourteenth century England. The poem depicts the society of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. In the poem, Gawain is the ideal of virtue and all that is good.
Sir Gawain And The Green Night
Vs. Beowulf Defining A True Hero Essay, Research Paper Defining a True Hero Is a hero the one who decides to stand up when everyone else is only thinking about it? Is a hero the one who retains integrity rather than give in to the world s everyday temptations? Is a hero the picture of courage, or an example of morals? These are the questions that arise after reading the epic story of Beowulf by an anonymous author, and the romantic tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, also written by an anonymous author.
Analysis On Sir Gawain Essay Research Paper
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight As with so many stories written in the Middle Ages Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is filled with wonders, magic and knightly pursuit of fame and nobility. It combines folklore and romance as does, according to The Norton Anthology, no other known work. The character of the Green Knight fascinates and amuses.
Honor 2
Honor “The Definition In The Past Vs The Definition Now” Essay, Research Paper As time progresses many changes occur in human life. Society, our way of transportation, language, and our way of survival. I you read a lot you probably notice that words that are in older books tend to have a different meaning that today.
Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Teach
Us About Dealing With Challenges Essay, Research Paper The author of the book Sir Gawain and the Green Knight teaches the reader many different things about facing challenges such as how they come unexpecteantly and how they must be faced. Throughout the ballad there are numerous refernces to the challenges that Sir Gawain and the different ways that he must deal with them.
The Symbolism And Parallels Of The Hunts
In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Essay, Research Paper The Symbolism and Parallels of the Hunts The Arthurian tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is an intriguing story of chivalry and moral dilemmas. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight contains many literary devices such as foreshadowing and especially symbolism.
Green Knight Essay Research Paper TemptationThe knights
Green Knight Essay, Research Paper Temptation The knights of this poem center their lives in bravery, courtesy, and everything in general that chivalry comprises. They are virtuous men who honor the “five wounds” of Christ, and “the five wits”(640-642) through the symbol of the pentangle on their armor.
Journalism Today Essay Research Paper Summary Leads
Journalism Today Essay, Research Paper Summary Leads ( Why are they are effective) The summary lead is the most widely used lead. It provides a brief summary of the facts in the article in the first sentence. Summary leads work best in inverted pyramid stories. I think that summary leads are effective because if the reader has an interest in the subject after reading the short summary at the beginning, then they will read the whole article.
The Noble Knight Essay Research Paper The
The Noble Knight Essay, Research Paper The Noble Knight In the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the protagonist, Gawain, illustrates deep down nobility and honesty to himself and everyone that he comes in contact with. Gawain is a good man whose only crime is berating himself all too much, therefore making both statements about him somewhat true true.
The Tests Of Sir Gawain Essay Research
Paper The tale Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a lively amusing tale that captivates the reader with colorful detail of adventurous challenges that Sir Gawain must overcome to remain an honorable Knight in the eyes of King Arthur,his relations,and peers. Most of all he must be able to offer a favorable account to himself free of dishonor in his own eyes remaining true to himself.
Sir Gawain 2
Sir Gawain & Dame Ragnell Essay, Research Paper “The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnell” is a medieval romance poem written by an anonymous author. Sir Gawain is one of the major characters in the poem. He is a very likable personality. Sir Gawain represents an ideal knight of the fourteenth century. Throughout the story, we see Sir Gawain portrayed as a very courteous and noble knight, always trying to help King Arthur.
Sit Gawainand The Green Knight Essay Research
Paper Sir Gawain and the Green knight is an Arthurian story about the adventure of Sir Gawain to find the Green knight. King Arthur and his court are gathered for a Christmas celebration. Suddenly, the Green Knight appears and challenges king Arthur’s court to a game. He asks one man to hit him with the ax. In return, this man will have to seek the knight out at the Green Chapel within a year and a day to receive three hits from Green Knight.
Who S The Hero Beowulf V. Sir
Gawain Essay, Research Paper Who s The Hero? Beowulf and Sir Gawain are both very brave characters. There are many similarities between the two. More numerous than the similarities are the differences. The differences between the two characters are like night and day. According to the dictionary, a hero is a man or boy of great courage, spirit, and has undergone great danger or difficulty.
Beowulf Essay Research Paper During the medieval
Beowulf Essay, Research Paper During the medieval era, many different heroes proved to be chivalric. Three of these heroes are Beowulf, Sir Gawain, and King Arthur. All these men have won great battles, which in turn endow them with hero status among their faithful subjects. These three heroes possess chivalric qualities, but none of them are perfect.
Chivalry Essay Research Paper ChivalryChivalry order of
Chivalry Essay, Research Paper Chivalry Chivalry, order of knighthood and, especially, code of knightly behavior that was a feature of the High and later Middle ages in western Europe (Encarta). Having developed out of the lofty and pious ideals of the Crusades, chivalry encouraged high personal values and well-manicured behavior.
Heroism In Sir Gawain And The Green
Knight And Beowulf Essay, Research Paper Heroism in Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Night A hero, according to Webster’s New World Dictionary, is someone who commits an act of remarkable bravery or who has shown great courage, strength of character, or another admirable quality. He is looked up to for the brave and noble things he has done.
Sir Gawain Essay Research Paper Sir Gawain
Sir Gawain Essay, Research Paper Sir Gawain and the Green Knight By: Dirk Diggler Sir Gawain & the Green Knight One of the poems we read this semester was the anonymous poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. This folklore poem combines two plots: the contest of the beheading between Gawain and the Green Knight and the attempt of a lady to seduce Gawain.
Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Essay 2
Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Essay Essay, Research Paper Sir Gawain Essay In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Sir Gawain continuously proves his knightly virtues and code of honor. Chivalry includes bravery, honor, and courtesy. He proves that he is in fact a real Knight. He shows his bravery by shying away from nothing and no one.
Sir Gawain And The Green Knight 2
Essay, Research Paper The Test of Honor in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight During the course of the medieval poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Gawain is presented with a number of choices, and must, as a result of these options, make difficult decisions. In most instances, his choices trap his natural self-interest in preserving his own life against his sense of honor.
Animalistic Characters In Medieval Times Essay Research
Paper The many temptations of life bring people to act differently through personality changes. The characters in Sir Gawain the Green Knight change their personalities through temptation. Through the Christmas time, Bertilak, king of the castle, decides to go hunting. While he is hunting, his wife is hunting or seducing Gawain.
Heroes Gawain Vrs Beowulf Essay Research Paper
Heroes are a set pattern of ideals that conclude in triumph or a moral understanding. In relation to their society’s needs, others look upon them as an archetypal role model. Both Beowulf and Sir Gawain are examples of great heroes. They both show their current society’s strengths and values through a series of physical and mental trials.
Sir Gawain And The Hunt
Para Essay, Research Paper Sir Gawain and the Hunt Parallels Throughout the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight , the Pearl Poet uses symbolism to convey to the reader more clearly what is happening, and what will happen in the poem. In part three of this poem, the poet uses the symbolism of the three days of the hunt to visually portray to the reader what is happening to Sir Gawain in his bedchamber.
What Could We Learn From Sir Gawain
Essay, Research Paper What Could We Learn From Sir Gawain? I think we could learn a lot many things from Sir Gawain. Sir Gawain is someone that I think everyone can relate to in some way. He was placed under many tests and performed admirable in all but one of them. It is that last test that made him seem human to me.
Romance And Allegory Essay Essay Research Paper
Romance and Allegory Essay Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is justifiably an allegory. An allegory is a narrative constructed by representing general concepts (Sin, Despair, and God) as persons. Many characters in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight have features that represent general concepts. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight can be interpreted allegorically by reviewing the characteristics and features of Gawain, the Green Knight, the Fair Lady, and the events that link the characters together.
Symbology In Sir Gawain And The Green
Knight Essay, Research Paper Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Symbology “Trimmed with gold, it was green silk, embroidered with stones, but only at the edges” (Anonymous SGGK, 1832). The beautiful green belt, which Gawain received from the Host’s wife, represents Gawain’s weakness. One of the “rules” of the Round Table was to show no fear, which Gawain did exceptionally well.
Gawain Questions Essay Research Paper To Be
Gawain Questions Essay, Research Paper To Be or Not To Be?. A knight To be or not to be? a Knight truly is the question presented through this story, which is a tale of Gawains trials and
Comparison Of Honor Essay Research Paper A
Comparison Of Honor Essay, Research Paper A Comparison of Honor The Middle Ages were a time when honor was considered the most important things one could possess in their lives. Honor was the cornerstone for everything that was good about medieval society and people would do anything to protect what honor they had.
Heroism Essay Research Paper Heroism Lies Within
Heroism Essay, Research Paper Heroism Lies Within One’s Self Heroes have played a part in society for a long time. They started long ago and sometimes people actually overlook that. Beowulf, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and The Faerie Queene all show aspects of heroism. The characters approached their heroism with different tactics but each character learned from their gain.
Sir Gawain And The Green Knight -
– Chivalry Essay, Research Paper Most women dream of one day finding a ?knight in shining armor,? a man that will give her love and loyalty forever. This conception of a knight began in the 12th century and is present in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The story has a mystique that combines Christian virtues, aristocratic qualities, and the courtly love of women.
Bill
&Ted Essay, Research Paper “In the earliest Arthurian stories, Sir Gawain was the greatest of the Knights of the Round Table. He was famed for his prowess at arms and, above all, for his courtesy. … Here Gawain is the perfect knight; he is so recognized by the various characters in the story and, for all his modesty, implicitly in his view of himself.