Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Archetypal Patterns

According to the hero’s journey there must be a theme, a message the author is trying to get across through the hero’s trials and experiences. The characters in Sir Gawain and The Green Knight play the largest role in getting this theme across to the reader and to Gawain. The idea that being honest and chivalrous is the best way to lead

Sir Gawain’s knighthood to the core is tested, going through a multitude of tests to see just how chivalrous he truly is. In the fantastical medieval romance poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the main character, Sir Gawain embarks on a journey which helps him grow and improve

Arthur’s teachings and customs had made his knights serve him with honor. In the beginning of the medieval romance, Gawain has accepted the task from the Green Knight for Arthur and Camelot. Although he has blood ties with Arthur and has a high status among the knights at the Round Table, Gawain reveals that he is the weakest among Arthur’s knights. He accepts because he is devoted to Arthur and has great respect for him. Arthur

Sir Gawain may have taken King Arthur’s place for more

Sir Gawain says: "My life would be least missed, if we let out the truth. Only as you are my uncle have I any honor, for accepting your blood, I bear in my body slight virtue" (line 555-7). Here Sir Gawain his selflessness by demonstrating his loyalty to his king and relative which serves as the spur

In "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," the hero's journey enhances the theme of the nature of chivalry. The protagonist, Sir Gawain, is presented as the epitome of a chivalric knight. As he embarks on his journey to confront the Green Knight, he faces a series of trials that test his adherence to the code of chivalry. Through these trials, Gawain learns the true meaning of chivalry - not just outward displays of bravery and honor, but also the internal qualities of humility, honesty, and selflessness. One of the 12 stages of the hero's journey, the "Meeting with the Mentor," plays a particularly important role in Gawain's development as a knight.

Sir Gawain is an extremely humble man, one that is in complete submission to his lord King Arthur in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. While many characters in literature, such as Achilles, are a fireball of rage and testosterone, Sir Gawain is calm, cool, and always in complete control of himself. Gawain is humble as well, describing himself as the “weakest of [King Arthur’s] warriors”, one that is barely fit to sit at the King’s royal table (Armitage: Fitt 1: 734). Sir Gawain, according to Confucius in Analects, would be considered a gentleman, “straight as an arrow” in the noble’s court and on the battlefield (Confucius: Book XV: 15.7). He is extremely courteous, a man of his word, and performs the role of a knight adamantly.

He claimed to only owning honor, owing to the fact that he was King Arthur’s nephew. In form, the self-righteousness of this words granted him the position to take on the Green Knight’s request. Sir Gawain exhibited courage in word and deed. In result, he kept his word to once again find the Green Knight after the challenge was accepted, only this time he would get something in return.

Not all heroes are perfect, but some are nobler than others. In the story of Sir Gawain, we find out that even legends, such as Sir Gawain made mistakes. In today’s time, most heroes are thought of as militaristic accomplishments, such as badges, wars won, and saving lives. Sir Gawain was a hero, not because of great accomplishments but because he was driven by his bravery, nobility, and virtue.

In this time period a knight’s honor was everything, without it the noblemen would become a huge disgrace. Sir Gawain’s honor is immediately tested at the beginning of the poem. He gives his word in the beheading game and intends to keep it even though it’s obvious that the Green Knight had tricked him. “Blood gutters brightly against his green gown, yet the man doesn’t shudder or stagger or sink, but trudges towards them […] gripping his head by a handful of hair. Then he settles himself in his seat with the ease of a man unmarked” (429-439).

The main theme of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is the journey to maturity of Gawain, the hero. During the passage, Gawain goes through three tests on his development. First, Gawain shows courage and resourcefulness when he volunteers to take the Green Knight’s challenge instead of Arthur doing so. Second, Gawain shows authority, self-restraint, and integrity when he denies the sexual endeavours of the lady of the house. Lastly, Gawain shows bravery when he faces death by keeping his meeting with the Green

NAME INSTRUCTOR COURSE DATE The Five Knightly Virtues of Sir Gawain Sir Gawain and The Green Knight is the most known 14th century poem that depicts the Arthurian legend. It has been translated from a Middle English dialect by Simon Armitage; unfortunately, very little is known about the original author. Sir Gawain is the protagonist as he is the major source of conflict when he struggles to decide whether his “knightly virtues” are more important than his own life.

Literary Analysis of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight The selection of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight follows the basic format of the adventure. The author emphasizes communion to show the loyalty and community between King Arthur and his knights. The symbolism behind the relationship between Sir Gawain to humans and the Green Knight to the merciful God further shows the relations of this medieval romance to the Bible.

Although Sir Gawain does not want to take the Green Knight’s challenge, he honorable takes the place of King Arthur and lies about his worth. The Green Knight arrives carrying an axe and holly, symbolizing peace and war, but tells them that he “travel[s] in peace and seek[s] no trouble” (12). Despite saying that he wants no trouble, he proposes a game involves one strike with his axe by whoever is brave enough for another done by him a year later. The court is baffled by his request, and when no one speaks up to take the Green Knights challenge, he ridicules them by conveying that “all the pageantry and power of the Round Table made nothing by the words of one man” (13). After the Green Knight finishes mocking the Knights of the Round Table, Arthur boldly takes the challenge until Sir Gawain politely requested to take his place.

Essay: Consider how the Theme of courage is treated in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. It has to be said that Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is arguably one of the greatest middle English poems of the 14th Century. The author of the text, whom, amazingly is still unknown tells the reader, through the medium of poem the courage of the Great Sir Gawain as he bravely challenges the Green Knight. The poem also shows the courage of others. In Medieval times and especially medieval writings, there was a great engrossment with courage.