Preview

Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Character Analysis

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
767 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Character Analysis
In the Romance Novel, Sir Gawain and The Green Night, Sir Gawain plays a character who believes that he is unworthy and less important. Furthermore, The Green night portrays to be an Outspoken, and a disrespectful character to King Author and his Knights. That is to say, Sir Gawain takes on a task to defend his King and his other fellow knights. Sir Gawain’s bravery against the feisty Green Knight, will demonstrate one man trying to give a lesson to another through a challenge. The setting is during Christmas and New Years as the King and Knights celebrate at the castle. In Essence, The Green knight will come and demand a challenge on the king. In the noble story, Sir Giwain and The Green Knight face a challenge in hopes to win a victory for …show more content…
On the first day Sir Gawain begins his hunt, but the Lords Wife enters the room where she tries to seduce him with her beautiful looks but, Sir Gawain declined. Sir Gawains Value for the first day was a kiss from the Lords Wife after she had given him a kiss after Sir declined her. Moreover, when he met with the host he gives him a kiss from his valuables of the first day. On the second day, the Lords wife comes in and gives him a second kiss but two kisses instead. The third day, she attempts to give him a ring, but he declined to give her anything or take anything he couldn’t afford. Above all, she decides to give him a green sash and tells him that it would protect him from his own death. Sir Gawain accepts the sash because he is reminded that the challenge is coming off and he could possibly get his head cut off. The next day he turns in all his findings except the sash. He leaves to go look for the Green Knight. Whereas, he meets the green knight, and the green knight reveals himself as the Lord that he previously resided with.

In conclusion, The Romance describes a worthy knight. Furthermore, a night who kept his challenges and deals to win and succeed. Sir Gawain proved himself to King Author that he was nothing less than the other knights. The green knight wanted to teach Sir Gawain that he was worthy enough, even if he wasn’t truthful about his findings. The green knight, who was also known as the Lord, wanted Sir Gawain to earn his praises and honors. In the end, they embrace and kiss and commend each other on the accomplishment. In closing, The Romance defines strength and worthiness of a knight who believed he wasn’t worthy
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - Analytical Paper
    • 1649 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - Analytical Paper

    When autumn arrives, Sir Gawain departs on his journey to seek out the Green Knight. Around Christmastime, after spending several months in the woods, he discovers a castle. The lord of the castle welcomes him to stay through the holidays. For sport, the host and Sir Gawain strike a deal: the host and his men will go hunting for three days and each day they will bring back whatever they catch and give it to Sir Gawain in return for what Sir Gawain gains while staying in the castle. On the first day, the host and his men catch a doe and Sir Gawain receives a kiss from the lady of the host when tries to seduce him. On the second day, the host and his men catch a wild boar and Sir Gawain receives two kisses from the lady of the host. On the third day, the host and his men catch a fox and Sir Gawain receives not only three kisses, but also the lady’s green girdle. He does not mention that he received her girdle to the host –he only kisses him three times…

    • 1649 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Literary Analysis
    • 2416 Words
    • 10 Pages

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Literary Analysis

    In her collection of sources and analogues, Elisabeth Brewer states, “To read the sources and analogues of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is not only to be aware of the poet’s skill in handling traditional episodes, but also to realize how much he added,” she continues, “the bringing together of many different elements and blending them into a new story, above all, the fusing of the beheading-temptation-exchange-of-winnings themes, illustrate the Gawain poet’s astonishing capacity for structuring his material” (3). The Gawain poet intertwines common elements in an elaborate way to emphasize the importance of the values outlined by the chivalric code. Brewer states, “The Gawain poet makes the story hang together and intensifies the meaning of everything that he uses. He makes more sense of the incidents: they have an inevitability, a credibility, they create an illusion of reality” (Brewer 4). Sir Gawain beings the poem as a modest knight who strives to uphold the five points of chivalry. In his test of temptation, Gawain is able to exercise sexual restraint and uphold the laws of courtly love, but he fails to resist the instict to save his own life and jeopoardizes his integrity in lying about the green girdle. Without each other, neither the temptation episode nor the beheading game would have such a strong impact on the story’s outcome or it’s readers. The framework at the beginning and end of the of the story combined with the structure used throughout the poem deepen and emphasize what it is to be Gawain, and what it is to be human (Brewer 4). Any possible sources and analogues of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight pale in comparison to the brillance of the original. Although influenced by former medieval works, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight remains an outstanding and unique piece of…

    • 2416 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Symbolism Analysis
    • 254 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Symbolism Analysis

    The tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is an example of a work with a plethora of symbolism. This tale incorporates symbolism, imagery, and biblical references to show what each object embodies such as color and the Green Knight’s weapons to name a few.…

    • 254 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    True Knightmenship In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight
    • 526 Words
    • 3 Pages

    True Knightmenship In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

    The first thing that Sir Gawain does in the story that proves that he is indeed a true knight is that he takes the challenge of the beheading game that the Green Knight purposes. At first King Author took the challenge, but Sir Gawain volunteered to take the challenge so that his King, King Author is protected. The fact that Sir Gawain does…

    • 526 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Integrity In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight
    • 359 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Integrity In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

    The first major test was to see if he could easily be tricked by the Green Knight’s wife. Gawain passed this test by not letting his wife seduce him. The Green Knight’s wife sneaks into Gawain’s room trying to seduce him. However, Gawain puts her off. Unfortunately, she steals a kiss from Gawain before she leaves. Gawain was left in shock. Until, she steals a kiss…

    • 359 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Literary Analysis
    • 1163 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Literary Analysis

    Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a story about King Arthur’s nephew, Gawain. The story is about a mighty green knight who comes to the round table wanting to play a game. A brave knight will strike the green knight with an axe once after a year the green knight gets to return the strike to whomever strike him. However the Knight must find him and as we learn in the story his boast about how easy it will be to find him is a lie. After searching and combating deadly foes,…

    • 1163 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
    • 598 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

    The theme of Sir Gawain and The Green Knight is Chivalry. This was written in dialect and said to be written by a monk, but author remains unknown. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, The Green Knight was a creation by Arthur’s half-sister, Morgan le Fay, the ruler of mysterious Avalon, to embarrass the knights of his court. The Green Knight approaches the court offering beheading games and the winnings game while holding a holly-bundle and an axe in his hands. The holly-bundle symbolizes peace. Sir Gawain speaks up saying that he’s the weakest and should participate because he’d be the least loss to King Arthur’s (governor of Camelot) court. This all takes place around New Year’s Day and they call it Christmas-tide. A description of the Green Knight: All green except for his eyes. They were red. Sir Gawain was supposed to leave on November 1st, All Saints Day. This is a special day for praying to the saints. This day would have been better for Sir Gawain to leave, but he leaves on the 2nd, named All Souls Day. All Souls Day are prayers for deceased held in a place to speed to heaven. Sir Gawain is undergoing a test to prove he’s a Chivalric knight. The castle he visits represents heaven on earth and the guy Porter represents Peter. Gawain was given beautiful clothes as well as food to eat. He comes to the realization that he made a bargain and he has to deal with it. The woman he spoke to at the castle told him if he valued his life he would wear a sash, he was also told it would save his life. A servant accompanying Gawain to the games told him he wouldn’t tell if he chickened. Sir Gawain goes into the Wild West and hears a sound. It’s dark humor, the sound of the Green Knight sharpening his axe. In line 2214, he says he’s leaving, but a voice yells for him to stay. Sir Gawain looks up only to find the Green Knight standing over him and in that moment he knew he would be…

    • 598 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Examples Of Chivalry In Sir Gawain
    • 373 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Examples Of Chivalry In Sir Gawain

    In 476 AD, during the medieval times, there were many knights. Most knights followed a chivalric code. By definition chivalry means the rules and customs of medieval knighthood. Chivalry can also be defined by seven knightly virtues: courage, justice, mercy, generosity, faith, nobility, and hope.…

    • 373 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Analysis
    • 1012 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Analysis

    Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is without doubt one of the best known works of medieval English literature. Medieval England poetry was best known for its medieval romance, religious views, alliterative form and its chivalry nature. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is one of the best works of medieval poetry because it criticizes the fact that chivalric courtesy often displaces true Christian ethics. Sir Gawain a character in the poem was known for his chivalry, honor, and Christian faith. Medieval romance tales deal with the quests and challenges of Arthur and his knights. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Sir Gawain as one of King Arthur’s knight’s gets sent on a quest to meet the Green Knight. Another characteristic…

    • 1012 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight: Chivalric But Still Human
    • 1149 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight: Chivalric But Still Human

    To begin, Gawain upholds the law to be a courageous man in all circumstances. Near the end of the poem Gawain reaches the Green Knight’s castle to uphold his promise that they made a year and a day before. When Gawain arrives, he and the knight begin conversation and form an agreement to follow through with the terms. As the Green Knight describes what he shall do, Gawain says, “Never fear… I’ll stand still and allow you to work as you like and not oppose/ you here” (91-95). At this point within the poem, Gawain has done everything to follow the code of chivalry. True bravery and courage is not found in many men, but Gawain is able to conquer this obstacle and prove that he is brave. In this instance, Gawain is allowing the knight to do as he pleases, which is to cut off his head. This demonstrates that he is a fearless man awaiting his death. Additionally, he does not choose to resist the punishment and…

    • 1149 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Faith Essay
    • 439 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Faith Essay

    Sir Gawain is known as the honorable Knight for being brave enough to agree to the Green…

    • 439 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Sir Gawain's Chivalric Code
    • 540 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Sir Gawain's Chivalric Code

    Sir Gawain took the Green Knight’s challenge as this part of the chivalry code of honor of all knights. He asked to take the challenge himself as King Arthur was being mocked by the Green Knight. Gawain does his moral duty by standing up for his uncle King Arthur and showing him his loyalty by saying that his life would be less missed. Gawain took the challenge to uphold his ideals of how a real knight should act. At that moment, Gawain didn’t realize that by accepting the Green Knight's challenge he has been tested for his knightly honor and that his chivalric code would be further tested in along his journey to meet with the green knight, though , in the end of his journey he realized that he could not always live up to such high ideals since he was human…

    • 540 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Masculinity Analysis
    • 1610 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Masculinity Analysis

    Pearl Poet wrote Sir Gawain and The Green Knight as a kind of warning to those who are on the path of discovery. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl Poet means to say that connection with nature, along with an understanding and respect for modern advances, is key in the effort to achieve ideal character. Pearl Poet constructs The Green Knight as an example of pure balance of nature and civilization by adorning him in gold and green, giving him an intimidating physical stature, and allowing him to control nature by herding animals in hunts and having complete control over his horse. While in Arthur’s realm, Sir Gawain has become soft due to lack of adversity. Pearl Poet puts Gawain in situations such as having nightmares in the wilderness and almost freezing to death to expose the fact that Sir Gawain and the other knights have lost their connection with nature—an essential trait of beings of exceptional character—in their efforts to modernize their daily lives. By losing touch with nature, the knights also lose some of their masculinity. By not having to make dire decisions in the untamed wilderness, the knights lose their preparedness for situations that might cost them their lives. Pearl Poet views masculinity as the way one responds in trying situations, and what factors influence the split-second decisions made in these situations. Ideally, one who is a perfect example of masculinity reacts on instinct while utilizing knowledge gained from lessons learned in the modern world. Overall, Pearl Poet conveys the warning not to lose touch with nature in the pursuit of new frontiers to influence readers to reflect on past experiences and natural instincts before making the decisions that will shape modern…

    • 1610 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Truth In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight
    • 1169 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Truth In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

    It all starts with the game presented by the Green Knight; "You will grant me gladly the little game that I ask as my right"(Poet 56). Being a king, Arthur cannot express fear because he is the protector of the society. Therefore, the King accepts the challenge but Gawain steps forward to take the king's place; "Let this game be mine"(24). As the game progresses, one can identify that the game was a test to see how true Gawain is to his code of chivalry. The game was not fair for Gawain because the Green Knight held superpowers(167). As it stated,"He held his head by the hair, high, in his hand; and the stranger sat there as steadily in his saddle"(167-168). The Green Knight had the ability to live without his head attached to his body. Even though he knows that he will die if he pursues the Green Knight, "Sir Gawain sets off on his quest to find the Green Knight and fulfill his part of the challenge"(183). Gawain went to face the Green Knight because of his Knight's code of chivalry. In addition, for a second time, Gawain holds his truth to the code in the game inside the castle. As Poet states, "determined not to deceive his host or violate the agreement, Gawain accepts only two kisses from the lady, which he (tells) to the lord at night"(p 183). Gawain could take advantage of the situation by committing adultery. Although tempted, he holds…

    • 1169 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Generosity In Beowulf
    • 892 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Generosity In Beowulf

    In this exchange, Gawain exudes chivalry and charm. He treats both Bertilak's wife and her attendant with reverence, despite the fact that the latter is described to be a sorrowful sight to behold. A pinnacle of courtesy, Gawain is faced by a veritable moral dilemma when Bertilak's wife puts him to the test to see if he will choice between being discourteous to her or disloyal to her husband.…

    • 892 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics