Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Analysis

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Across different tales of male heroism and chivalric bravery dating back to the 14th century, chivalric literature has been centered on a hero who sets off to conquer a task but is then encumbered by several games and tests. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is no exception, by matter of fact; it is even a prime example of such a tale. In each specific story, these games and tests all serve different purposes, whether to prove the protagonist’s worth as a hero or to serve as some sort of plot filler. Their purpose in each specific story’s plot is not in question, what is in question is chivalric literature 's particular obsession with the employment of games and tests in its storylines. Why is this a common trend and what is its greater purpose in chivalric literature in general? These games and tests are of importance to the story as they serve as a driving force of the storyline and backbone. They are integral to Arthurian legends; the storyline would not be able to function without them. They offer further exhibitions into the story 's plot and the protagonist themselves.

In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, there were three games that the plot revolved around, the beheading game, the exchange of winnings and the game of temptation involving Sir Bertilak’s wife and Sir Gawain. The beheading game is the main plot driver; it is both the …show more content…

When discussing games and tests in Chivalric Literature, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a prime example if not, the best example of such a story. Chivalric Literature uses games and tests like the beheading game to build a premise for a storyline. Games and tests form the basic framework, which these chivalric tales of bravery can be built

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