Mythic Elements in Sir Gawain and The Green Knight

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The Arthurian legends of old are seeped in mythical elements and weaved together with artful skill. The origin of Arthur and his knights bloomed in Britain, though their existence is uncertain and unconfirmed. Multiple authors have written their own versions of Arthur and his knights’ endeavors, many of them containing similarities between them. However, when looking at these stories, there is a question hiding among them. What is more important, the myth elements, or the story-telling elements? Readers from all over the world have read these tales for many reasons, and have taken away different points and ideals. What is impacting them more, the myths behind the tales? Or does the artful story itself hold that claim? Tales like Sir Gawain and the Green Knight have both of these elements. Still, one usually makes more of an effect on the reader. By looking at both the mythical elements and the story structure, as well as which has the most effect on the reader, it becomes clear which is more important. The story itself and the details within it is what catch the reader’s attention. The myths, while significant, are not the most important element. Without the story elements, a poem like Sir Gawain would not catch people’s attention and would therefore not be a good story.

Sir Gawain contains many mythical elements, as well as story elements. The myths are thought to have originated from the Celtic world. Pieces of the poem are clear ties to some of the mythology stories that rose from Celtic traditions. One of the first ties comes from the setting of the introduction of the poem, when Arthur and the round table knights are celebrating the New Year. In Celtic mythology, this New Year celebration could be seen as Samhain, the tim...

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...for the reader. Readers cannot connect to it if it is not well written, well laid out, or does not have an interesting and exciting plot. These mythical elements help support the tale, and make it better. But they unfortunately cannot support the impact on readers that has lasted for years. The story itself has managed to accomplish this.

Works Cited

SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.”

SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. 2003. Web. 31 Oct. 2011.

Nichols, Mike. "Samhain: October 31." Michigan State University, 28 Sept. 1988.

Web. 19 Nov. 2011. .

Hanson, Gina. "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - Chaffey Writing Contest '04."

The Breeze. Chaffey College, 24 Apr. 2004. Web. 19 Nov. 2011. .

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