Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
analytical Essay
717 words
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Passage Analysis
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was written in the fourteenth century in Northern dialect by an anonymous author who was a contemporary of Chaucer. The story begins in King Arthur's court. The Green Knight, a green monster who challenges the court to a Christmas game, Sir Gawain, a brave, loyal knight of the court, and King Arthur, the lord of the court, are the main characters. Lines 279 through 365, which deal with the Christmas game, also known as the beheading game, foreshadow the Green Knight's supernatural powers, Sir Gawain's victory over the Green Knight, and his bravery and loyalty to King Arthur. The events surrounding the proposal of the game foreshadow what will happen next.
It is New Year's, and everyone in King Arthur's court is feasting when the Green Knight arrives and challenges the court to a Christmas game. The rule of the game is that the knight, Sir Gawain, will strike at the Green Knight, and then in a year and a day, the Green Knight will return the strike. This is indicated when the Green Knight says, "…So you grant me the guerdon to give him another, sans blame. In a twelve month and a day he shall of me the same"(Norton 208). A guerdon is a reward and sans means without. So when the Green Knight receives his reward for the game, which will be to return the strike in a year and a day, it will not be his fault when Sir Gawain dies because it is part of the game. This foreshadows the Green Knight's supernatural powers and Sir Gawain's confrontation with death.
If Sir Gawain chops off the Green Knight's head, one would think that the Green Knight would die. So why does the Green Knight ask to meet Sir Gawain in a year and a day to return the strike? The answer to this question shows the Green Knight's supernatural powers because he knows that he is not going to die because of the strike. The Green Knight appears to have a hidden agenda, which will be revealed at the end of the story.
As a reward for the knight who is brave enough to participate in the game, the Green Knight gives him his ax to keep and use for the game. The ax is first given to King Arthur, who has volunteered to participate in the game so that his court will not appear to be full of cowards.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how sir gawain and the green knight was written in the fourteenth century in northern dialect by an anonymous author who was a contemporary of chaucer.
- Analyzes how the green knight challenges king arthur's court to a christmas game, where the knight, sir gawain, will strike at him, and then return the strike.
- Analyzes how sir gawain chops off the green knight's head, and why he asks to meet him in a year to return the strike.
- Explains that as a reward for the knight who is brave enough to participate in the game, the green knight gives him an axe to keep and use.
- Analyzes how sir gawain's bravery and loyalty to king arthur are shown when he decides to participate in the game.
- Analyzes how the passage foreshadows sir gawain's supernatural powers, his confrontation with death, and his victory over the green knight.
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- Sir Gawain and the Green Knightanalytical essaySir Gawain and the Green Knight Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, written by an anonymous fourteenth-century poet in Northern dialect, combines two plots: "the beheading contest, in which two parties agree to an exchange of the blows with a sword or ax, and the temptation, an attempted seduction of the hero by a lady" (Norton p.200). The Green Knight, depicted as a green giant with supernatural powers, disrespectfully rides into King Arthur's court and challenges the king to a Christmas game -- a beheading contest. Sir Gawain, a young, brave and loyal knight of the Round Table, acting according to the chivalric code, takes over the challenge his lord has accepted. The contest states that Sir Gawain is to chop off the Green Knight's head, and in one year and a day, the antagonist is to do the same to the hero. The whole poem is constructed in a way that leads the reader through the challenges that Sir Gawain faces -- the tests for honesty, courtesy, truthfulness.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes sir gawain and the green knight, written by an anonymous fourteenth-century poet in northern dialect.
- Analyzes how lines 566 through 634 portray the hero as he dresses up and gets ready to go to find the green knight on november first, almost a year after the beheading contest in king arthur's court.
- Analyzes how sir gawain describes himself as poor, humble, insignificant, and the weakest of all the knights, yet he has goodly clothes and armor.
- Analyzes how sir gawain "heard the mass and honored god humbly" before the long journey. the hero thinks of himself as being humble and courteous, but the development of the action brings the protagonist to realize that he might not have been as humble.
- Explains that sir gawain's horse, gringolet, is the only companion for the knight on his long trip and his only support in the battles with evil and mysterious forces.
- Explains that sir gawain's shield has the greatest significance in this whole passage because of his emblem, the pentangle, portrayed on it.
- Emphasizes the 'fiveness' of the multiple concept of truth: the five wits and five fingers make up the spiritual and physical human self which can practice virtue or vice.
- Analyzes how the pentangle is established as the knight's symbol immediately before he sets out on his quest.
- Explains the norton anthology of english literature. sixth edition volume1. ed. m.h.abrams. sir gawain and the green knight.
1147 wordsRead More - Sir Gawain and the Green Knightanalytical essaySir Gawain and the Green Knight Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is the greatest fourteenth century text. It was written by an unknown author between 1375 and 1400. The story begins at Christmas time, and there are many symbolic elements. The Green Knight is a color which symbolizes Christmas. Also, changing seasons and the coming of winter symbolize the passing of life and reminds us that Death is unavoidable.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that sir gawain and the green knight is the greatest fourteenth century text. it was written by an unknown author between 1375 and 1400.
- Analyzes how the story tells about the adventures of sir gawain, who takes the green knight's challenge.
- Analyzes how green knight enters the hall where king arthur and his knights feast and cleverly gets them committed to take his game without revealing what it is he wants to play.
- Analyzes how the green knight enters the hall on his horse and challenges the king and his companions to take his game.
- Analyzes how the green knight enters the hall where king arthur and his knights feast on a horse and does not greet anyone. he carries an axe with "the spike of green steel" (norton 207) and with green engravings.
- Analyzes how the knights of the green table are so surprised, they fail to protect their king. they stare at the green knight, for they have never seen such a sight.
- Analyzes how the green knight introduces himself when asked, but first he tells them how brave they are. king arthur promises somebody will take his challenge.
- Analyzes how the green knight gets king arthur's promise to take his challenge without knowing what the challenge is. he plays on their pride and keeps their honor.
- Cites clipart castle's illustrated history of sir gawain and the green knight.
665 wordsRead More - Sir Gawain and the Green Knightanalytical essaySir 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. Most people would not think of it as an Arthurian-time creature. The Green Man in fact, is a part of an ancient folklore where the beheading of a green man would assure the return of spring next year.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how sir gawain and the green knight combines folklore and romance as does, according to the norton anthology, no other known work.
- Analyzes how the passage begins with the appearance of a castle, which is significant to the story.
- Explains that sir gawain is the best of king arthur's knights and his five-pointed star symbol on his shield stands for truth.
- Analyzes how the combination of sir gawain's prayer, the appearance of a beautiful summer landscape and the castle in the middle of it strikes the reader.
- Explains that sir gawain is thankful to jesus and saint julian for putting this castle there for him.
- Describes the castle as large and well fortified. the walls are well framed to bear the fury of the blast.
- Opines that sir gawain's castle is the best-fortified castle he has ever seen, with tall, ornamented turrets and white chimneys.
- Describes how sir gawain wants to spend christmas day at the castle. he calls out, and a porter answers him politely. the drawbridge is lowered and the lord welcomes him.
- Analyzes how the way sir gawain is greeted gives us a hint that something is not right. the people from the castle kneel in front of him.
- Explains that the castle is crucial for the story as well as for gawain's life. it is the place where he is tested, and ultimately his future is decided there.
838 wordsRead More - Who is the Green Knight?analytical essayThe Green Knight is described as an unusual and supernatural figure in the fourteenth century story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Throughout the story he is portrayed as a very confident individual who intends to play a game with one of the knights of the Round Table. In doing this, the Green Knight hopes to show that the knights of the Round Table indeed have flaws and weaknesses; this is the Green Knight's overall goal. However, the Green Knight himself can be viewed as a being prone to flaws and experiencing weaknesses. As the deceitful master plan he creates develops throughout the story, so does the truth behind his intentions for such a plan. Thus, the role and purpose of the Green Knight is to be known.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the green knight is described as an unusual and supernatural figure in the fourteenth century story of sir gawain's "green knight." he hopes to show the knights of the round table have flaws and weaknesses.
- Analyzes how the green knight's physical features are well depicted in the story. he is noted for his green skin pigmentation and giant size.
- Analyzes how the green knight's plan is to test the court and test one of arthur’s knights. he offers his head to be cut off in exchange for a counterattack.
- Analyzes how the green knight is known as bercilak de hautdesert, and morgan le faye, who is arthur's half-sister, transforms him into such a being.
- Analyzes how morgan le faye's scheme works to make sir gawain fall from his knightly role as chivalrous and virtuous, and uses the green knight for her plan.
- Analyzes the connection between sir gawain and the green knight and arthurian legends in the fourteenth-century poem.
- Analyzes how the green knight's physical appearance is surprising and stirs curiosity among the onlookers. the men struggle to understand how a man and his horse could be of the same color.
- Analyzes how the green knight only carries a bob described as "goodliest in green when groves are bare" and an axe, which he believes are the only ones needed for such journeys.
- Analyzes how the green knight's honesty and confidence places quite an impression on arthur and his men.
1179 wordsRead More - Sir Gawain and the Green Knight – A Test of Chivalryanalytical essaySir Gawain and the Green Knight – A Test of Chivalry Essay with Outline Loyalty, courage, honor, purity, and courtesy are all attributes of a knight that displays chivalry. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is truly a story of the test of these attributes. In order to have a true test of these attributes, there must first be a knight worthy of being tested, meaning that the knight must possess chivalric attributes to begin with. Sir Gawain is self admittedly not the best knight around. He says "I am the weakest, well I know, and of wit feeblest; / and the loss of my life [will] be least of any" (Sir Gawain, l. 354-355).
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how sir gawain and the green knight is a story of the test of chivalry.
- Analyzes how the green knight challenges anyone in the hall to the beheading game and no one takes him up on it. gawain's willingness to accept the challenge sets him apart from the other knights.
- Analyzes how reveals gawain's moral goodness in the description of the shield that he arms himself with to undertake his journey to the green chapel.
- Analyzes how 's vivid description of what gawain must go through to get to the green chapel is symbolic in testing his honor.
- Analyzes how sir gawain's arrival at the castle of bercilak begins the test of his purity and courtesy, two very important knightly attributes.
- Analyzes how gawain, like the boar, faces his pursuer directly on the second day. the fox is an animal known for its slyness.
- Analyzes how the green girdle is symbolic of gawain's dishonesty to bercilak and his faith in god.
- Analyzes how gawain's fault isn't revealed until he meets the green knight at green chapel.
- Analyzes how relies heavily on the use of symbols throughout the entire work in showing just how exemplary gawain is in fact loyal, courageous, honorable, pure, and courteous, but also human and imperfect.
- Explains benson, larry d. art and tradition in sir gawain and the green knight.
- Describes howard's critical studies of sir gawain and the green knight, notre dame press, 1968.
- Explains miller, my, et al. approaches to teaching sir gawain and the green knight.
- Explains whinny. james, sir gawain and the green knight. orchard park, ny: broadview press, 1996.
- Describes sir gawain and the green knight as a test of one knight's chivalric attributes.
- Analyzes how uses symbols to show that sir gawain possesses the necessary attributes to make him worthy of being tested.
- Opines that to establish gawain as a worthy knight, must first display his loyalty and courage.
- Analyzes how gawain takes the place of arthur in the beheading challenge, displaying loyalty and the green knight's red eyes contribute greatly to the display of his courage.
- Opines that it would be tempting to stay at home sheltered from the harsh winter environment.
- Opines that b. gawain has given his word that he will go, and does, regardless of the difficulty.
- Explains that the animal killed each day is symbolic of what occurs in the bedroom at the castle.
- Explains that c. gawain does not fail in his purity or courtesy to bercilak’s wife, but he does fail to his honor and
- Opines that the green girdle is more than just a symbol of gawain’s dishonesty to bercilak.
- Analyzes how b. gawain fails in this test of his attributes by relying on the girdle to save his life.
- Explains that this can be related to the harvest of the earth just before the judgment day.
- Explains that gawain must demonstrate that he does possess the attributes of a worthy knight.
- Analyzes how uses symbols to place gawain in different situations and as a means to show he is exemplary.
- Explains that when individual tests of these attributes are put together, the result is one overall test- the test of chivalry.
2442 wordsRead More - 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...
In this essay, the author
- Describes the code of chivalry as a brave, loyal, courteous, distinguished courage or ability that is admired for their brave and noble qualities.
- Analyzes how sir gawain shows qualities of a chivalrous knight by showing generosity, courtesy, and loyalty during his travels.
- Analyzes how beowulf shows characteristics of a hero because he has pride within himself and is loyal to his country.
- Analyzes how sir gawain shows respect to the lady of the house by not receiving her gifts. lanval shows chivalry by keeping his word to his lover.
- Analyzes how chivalry has changed dramatically since the middle ages. it was a code of brave and courteous conduct for knights, and society had high expectations for them.
972 wordsRead More - Essay on Games in Sir Gawain and the Green Knightanalytical essayMany games are involved in the plot of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The Green Knight, Bercilak de Hautdesert, plays a "Christmas game" with Arthur's court at Camelot (line 283); Gawain's host's wife plays games with Gawain throughout the third section of the poem; Gawain's sees his arrangement of mutual trade with his host as a game (line 1380); and all of the events of the story are revealed as a game of Arthur's sister, Morgan Le Fay (lines 2456-2466). Throughout the telling of the story, the author plays a mental game with the reader or listener, as well.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how gawain sees the mutual exchange of things won over the course of the day as a game, although the host describes this arrangement as "a covenant."
- Analyzes how the nature of the hunt that the host undertakes each day parallels his wife's attempts to seduce gawain.
- Analyzes how the game played by the green knight at the instigation of morgan le fay teaches gawain and arthur's court the lesson of humility.
- Explains sir gawain and the green knight in the norton anthology of english literature, sixth edition, volume one.
- Explains bennett, michael j., "the historical background" in a companion to the gawain-poet, pp. 71-90.
- Explains riddy, felicity, and jonathan gibson's "jewels in pearl" in a companion to the gawain-poet.
- Analyzes how the "christmas game" that the green knight plays with arthur's court at the instigation of morgan le fay provides the structure with which the entire story is held together.
- Analyzes how gawain's host hunts a fox symbol of the mind on the third day, and his wife manages to overcome him by appealing to his desire for self-preservation.
- Analyzes how the green knight reminds arthur and his knights of their place within the natural order of things. gawain is a fallible human who succumbs to his desire for self-preservation.
1340 wordsRead More - Beowulf: The Selfless Heroanalytical essayBeowulf is an epic poem that describes the heroics of a man with superhuman strength and bravery to go with it. The poem starts with a journey across the sea to defeat an enemy that has plagued the land of Herot for twelve years. The poem ends with Beowulf’s final deed of defeating a dragon that was plaguing his own land, but with the defeat of the dragon also comes the death of Beowulf. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a poem of bravery by one of King Arthur’s knights. Sir Gawain takes up the deed of playing a Christmas game with the challenging Green Knight. The Green Knight takes a blow from an ax at the hand of Sir Gawain, and in one year and one day, the Green Knight is to reciprocate the action to Sir Gawain. While Sir Gawain was heroic in his deed, Beowulf shows a certain selflessness in his bouts makes him a better hero than Sir Gawain.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how beowulf is an epic poem that describes the heroics of a man with superhuman strength and bravery to go with it. sir gawain and the green knight is another brave poem by king arthur's knights.
- Analyzes how sir gawain was heroic in seeking out the green knight to finish the challenge that was brought to king arthur’s men.
- Analyzes how beowulf faced many enemies in his lifetime, but even more importantly, he was prepared for death. the quote shows his compassion towards his fellow warriors and his king's possessions.
- Analyzes how beowulf was a hero not only because of his physical strength, but also for his concern for others.
- Opines that sir gawain and beowulf are both heroes, and that they are selfless heroes.
- Explains that the norton anthology of english literature, volume a. ed. stephen greenblatt, was published in 2006.
730 wordsRead More - Green Knightanalytical essayThe Green Knight realizes that it is not completely fair for him to challenge a mortal person, Sir Gawain, and so he wants to give Sir Gawain another chance to stay alive.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the green knight is one of the most misunderstood characters from the arthurian legends, especially in comparison with sir gawain.
- Analyzes how the green knight is more noble and fair than it seems and is also very kind. he will not kill his challenger, but gives him a more fair test of character.
- Explains that the green knight, or bercilak de hautdesert, is a very good host. he welcomes sir gawain into his home and offers him everything, including food, clothing, and ironically, his wife.
- Opines that whatever i win in the woods i will give you at eve, and all you have earned you must offer to me; swear now, sweet friend, to swap as i say.
- Analyzes how the green knight wants to give sir gawain an opportunity to show his inner self by sending his own wife to seduce him.
- Analyzes how the green knight realizes that it is not fair for him to challenge a mortal person, sir gawain, and so he wants to give him another chance to stay alive.
- Compares the green knight and sir gromer somer. both have a history of being weird and misunderstood.
- Analyzes how the green knight strikes up an unfair challenge out of respect for arthur's sister, who wants this gruesome beheading to scare guinevere to death.
- Describes the websites of 3dmodelworld, a2creations, and arcatera.
767 wordsRead More - Free Essays - Courage and Honesty in Sir Gawain and Green Knightanalytical essay"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" is a poem written by a poet (name unknown) approximately 6000 years ago in the late 1300's in the medieval times. This story was originally written in medieval literature with a real unique rhyme scheme, but was translated later in time to regular English for high school students and researchers to study and read.
In this essay, the author
- Describes the poem "sir gawain and the green knight" written by a poet (name unknown) approximately 6000 years ago in the late 1300's.
- Narrates how a green knight enters king arthur's court asking all of the knights if they would like to play the game. the brave knight sir gawain accepts the challenge.
- Analyzes how sir gawain demonstrates knightly virtues such as bravery, courage, courtesy, and honesty.
- Analyzes how sir gawain builds up the courage to face the green knight. the third knightly virtue is courtesy.
1148 wordsRead More