In literature, authors often use words that have many meanings within the piece of work. By looking deeper into these meanings, an insightful interpretation can be developed to allow the reader to experience a version of the work not apparent from the surface. In “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,” the author successfully attaches virtue, vice, and valour to the green girdle, an object Sir Gawain obtains as a gift. The green colour of the girdle represents rejuvenation and change throughout the story. Just as nature is reborn when winter changes to spring, Sir Gawain is reborn when the girdles meaning changes from virtue to vice to valour. This helps Sir Gawain to recognize the qualities he possesses in his character, and he eventually becomes a knight of valour and distinction.
Sir Gawain, although not the mightiest of knights, proved to have a sense of integrity and honour when he offered himself for the Green Knight's game in place of the king. He stated in his speech to the King that he was “the weakest...and of wit feeblest;” (354) and that “the loss if [his] life would be least of any;” (355). Although knowing he stood an unfair chance to the large, bold Green Knight, Sir Gawain proudly and courteously took King Arthur's place in the game. He was allowed one blow to the Green Knight in exchange for a return blow a year later. On his journey to receive his blow, Sir Gawain stops at a castle and, during his stay, is offered another game from the host; at the end of each day the host will exchange his hunting prize for a prize Sir Gawain inherited around the castle that day. Of course, Sir Gawain accepted the game and played it fairly for the first two days. However, on the third day, he received a green girdle from the host's...
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... In conclusion, the use of the green girdle helped to enhance the ideas of virtue, vice, and valour in the story. When deeper meanings are added to a simple object, they help to provide an insightful interpretation of the story that could otherwise be overlooked. The girdle maintains many different intentions within the poem and changes to help the young knight evolve into a chivalrous companion to the King. Sir Gawain's attributes as a knight are uncovered when the girdle brings out the worst in him. However, it also brings out the best when he realizes the attributes he should acquire and recognizes his faults.
Works Cited
Anonymous. “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.” The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Eds.
Abrams, Greenblatt, et al. 8th ed. New York: W. W. Norton, 2006.
Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford University Press, 2010. Web. February 8, 2011.
Sir Gawain steps in to take the challenge after King Arthur first agrees to participate himself. Sir Gawain wants to bring honor to Arthur and asks permission to take his place. Gawain knows that he is not the strongest, smartest knight but the loss of his life would not be as bad as if King Arthur loses his life. King Arthur agrees to let him enter this game and gives him a weapon to use against this Green Knight. King Arthur says to Sir Gawain, "Keep, cousin what you cut with this day, and if you rule it aright, then readily, I know you shall stand the stroke it will strike after." (372-374) Gawain, with his weapon in his hand, is now ready to take part in the game.
In his struggles to uphold his chivalric duties, Sir Gawain faithfully demonstrates the qualities of chivalry and fidelity until his honor is called into question by an unknown green knight that rides into the castle. Sir Gawain is King Arthur’s nephew and one of his most faithful knights. Although Gawain modestly refutes it, he has a reputation of being an honorable knight and courtly man. He prides himself on his adherence of the five parts of chivalry and is a pinnacle display of humility, piety, integrity, loyalty, and honesty that all other knights strive for. Though Gawain sits at the high table during the New Year’s celebration at Arthur’s court, he defines himself as the least of King Arthur’s knights in terms of both physical ability and mental aptitude.
The narrative artistry of Sir Gawain and The Green Knight can be attributed to the fundamental elements of chivalric life and the exploration of classic mythological elements that allows the narrative to bridge the gap between Christianity and Paganism, and allow its readers to find their own spiritual interpretation with in the text.
In Sir Gawain and The Green Knight, our main character is faced with a challenge. A
Symbolism is used throughout literature to give deeper meaning to a variety of literary works. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight symbolism is seen through the actions of Sir Gawain against the trials he faces. The poem is first set during Christmas time at Camelot, showing that they were Christian for they were celebrating Christmas. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight shows the struggle between a good Christian man against the temptations of this world. Symbolically, one can see Sir Gawain holding true to Christian values: first, by standing up for what he believes in; second, by staying true to a future mate; and thirdly by repenting from sins due to a broken promise.
Tragic and hero may not be words that easily reveal a relationship, but throughout literature the two have been linked to create an enthralling read. The emergence of the tragic hero seemed to take shape in ancient Greece where such works as Oedipus and Antigone were popular among all classes of people. Aristotle defined a tragedy as "the imitation of an action that is serious and also, as having magnitude, complete in itself. It incorporates incidents arousing pity and fear, wherewith to accomplish the catharsis of such emotions." Though Greece may be credited with the creation of tragic heroes, the theme is seen in literary works across many different cultures, including England. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is one such English work where the development of the main character, Gawain, follows the pattern of the classical tragic hero. In this paper, we will explore the characteristics of the tragic hero and show how these traits are demonstrated in Gawain.
In the anonymous poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the character of Sir Gawain is portrayed as the imperfect hero. His flaws create interest and intrigue. Such qualities of imperfection cannot be found in the symbol of the pentangle, which he displays on his shield. This contrast between character and symbol is exposed a number of times throughout the poem allowing human qualities to emerge from Gawain’s knightly portrayal. The expectations the pentangle presents proves too much for Gawain as he falls victim to black magic, strays from God, is seduced by an adulterous woman, and ultimately breaks the chivalric code by lying to the Green Knight.
Markman, Alan M. "The Meaning of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight." Modern Language Association 72.4 (1957): 574-86. JSTOR. Web. 11 Nov. 2013.
Sir Gawain's inner values and character are tested to the fullest and are clearly defined in the text of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The unknown author describes Gawain and the other knights as "Many good knights" (Norton 159), and he is referred to as one of the "most noble knights" (Norton 159) in King Arthur's land. This claim by the author is solidified by a challenge presented by the evil Green Knight, who enters the court of King Arthur and asks him to partake in a Christmas game. Sir Gawain, after hearing this challenge, asks the king if he may take his place. This represents that Gawain is very loyal to his king. Sir Gawain is also an honest knight in the text because in a year's time he ventures out in search of the Green Knight to endure a blow with the ax as the rules of the game were stated. He very easily could have not have carried out his end of the bargain by not traveling to the Green Chapel to meet the evil being, but Gawain is an honest knight who is true to his word.
The symbolism of the girdle in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight changes and grows as the poem progresses, adding Gawain's honor and sin to seemingly separate ideas of an untamed nature related to the otherworld and animal instincts. Piotr Sadowski, in his The Knight on His Quest: Symbolic Patterns of Transition in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, calls the girdle a symbol of “complex moral truth” that the other knights of the Round Table fail to learn from, as Gawain does. While I agree that the girdle's most important function is the message it conveys about morality as it pertains to courtly behavior, I argue that the moral ideal the girdle sets is not higher than the knights achieve, but rather is balanced between humanity and the godliness Gawain strives for – that is, the moral standard by which these knights should abide does not call for absolute purity, like their chivalric codes do, but allows for the minor sins that humans fall into by their very nature. By combining knightly honor, Gawain's sins, and the Green Knight's Otherworldliness in one symbol, a moral truth contrary to Sadowski's strict, traditional chivalry emerges that embraces humanity and nature, rather than rejecting them entirely in favor of godly ideals. When Bertilak's wife first presents the girdle to Gawain, it is described simply as being of green silk and gold trim, which should instantly remind the reader of the description of the Green Knight when he enters Arthur's court.
King Arthur is originally the first person to take the Green Knight’s offer. As soon as he steps up to bat, Sir Gawain jumps in and says he will take the offer. All the people from the kingdom gave him their upmost respect because he was the only knight from the round table willing to jump in and save King Arthur’s life while risking his own. Sir Gawain was a hero in this moment. Later on in the story, Sir Gawain still adheres to the deal and goes to find the Green Knight to be struck by him.
“Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” begins with a Christmas feast, all of King Arthur’s knights enjoying a bountiful meal and socializing with one another without any sort of fear of impending disorder. “It was Christmas at Camelot-King Arthur’s court, where the great and the good of the land had gathered,, the right noble lords of the round table...” there is an introduction to the world in the story in a peaceful state (Gawain 187). The peace is disturbed by the arrival of the Green Knight, challenging King Arthur’s court to a Christmas game. The knight offers one free blow to anyone in exchange for him getting the same chance in one years’ time. Gawain accepts the challenge when no one else will, but instead of giving the giant a simple knick or playful pat, he decapitates him. Gawain figures if he kills the knight, he won’t have to worry about the flip side of their agreement. However, the plan backfires when the knight simply picks up his head and rides off. The final chapter of Morte Arthur starts with peace, but there is a plot to cause trouble for Lancelot and Guinevere by revealing their affair to the king. Gawain is a minor character in this story, trying to keep the peace between the king and Lancelot, whom he respects and admires. Lancelot and Guinevere are happy together before the knights come to seize them both for betraying the king, and he responds by defending his lover, killing the knights in his way and promising to save her from any danger (Malory 487). Lancelot and Gawain are both responding to a situation that is thrust in front of them, Gawain for his king and fellow knights, and Lancelot for his
No matter where we go in the world, we will always be surrounded and tempted by sin. These temptations test our character and morality, and they prove that our human nature inherently causes us to fall to the sins that encompass us. Even though the world is a dark and immoral place to live, we all value our lives and are prepared to do almost anything to protect ourselves from harm’s way. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the green girdle serves as symbol that highlights Gawain’s incessant love for life that tempts him to stray from his knightly code of chivalry.
In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Gawain shows qualities of a chivalrous knight. He demonstrates that by showing generosity, courtesy, and loyalty during his travels. A mysterious knight shows up at the king’s castle and calls himself the Green Knight. The Green Knight then challenges one to play a game which he challenges the king to strike him with his axe if he will take a return hit in a year and a day. Sir Gawain steps forward to accept the challenge for his uncle King Arthur when nobody else in the castle would. He took the King’s role in the game to protect him from the Green Knight. He must learn to accept his responsibility as a knight, in accepting his fate.He demonstrates goodness at the hand of the Green Knight. He shows courage by accepting what is to come upon him during his voyage. His journey to find the Green Knight is filled with temptations.In the conversation with him and the “Lady”, Sir Gawain showed a Chivalrous code by keeping his loyalty to the king by not kissing his wife. The lady states “if I should exchange at my cho...
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight fit in with the concept of a romance; it has all the elements that would make one consider the text as so. The tale holds adventure, magic, a quest and an unexpected reality check that even those who are considered “perfect” are also just humans. The author used this story as a way of revealing faults in some of the aspects of knighthood through the use of intertwining chivalric duty with natural human acts; thus showing to be perfectly chivalrous would be inhuman.