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Sir Gawin and the Green Knight

An anonymous author wrote Sir Gawain and the Green Knight in the 14th century. It was written in a dialect from Northern England. The poem uses alliteration similar to the Anglo-Saxon form of poetry. Alliteration uses a repetition of consonants. The poem ends the way it begins. At the end of each scene, the section of the poem concludes with a sharp rhyme. Literature written during the Middle Ages reveals many characteristics of the Romantic Era. "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" provides examples of Romanticism such as: a near perfect hero, a test of the hero, and supernatural elements. Many of the Mid-Evil stories expressed specific elements of Romanticism. The reason Sir Gawain is a near perfect hero is because he does not live up to his word. Gawain must give anything that he has won that day to the lord." "On the morning of the third day, the lady not only gives Sir Gawain kisses but also makes him accept a magical green sash." "When the lord returns from the hunt, Sir Gawain gives him the kisses but keeps the sash a secret." When he keeps the sash a secret it shows that he is not a perfect hero. He is scared of dying and he flinches when the ax is brought down to strike him. He ha

- Gawain bore the five virtues of “generosity, and love of his fellow men, and cleanness, and courtesy that never failed, and, lastly, pity that is above all other virtues” (343).

Gawain, nephew of the famed Arthur of the Round Table, is supposed to be the most noble of knights in the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. However, he is not perfect, and is certainly vulnerable to conflict and fear and eventually even dishonesty. As I read this poem I felt that Gawain, bound to gallantry, is torn between his knightly upbringing, his obligations, and his human thoughts of self-preservation. I see much conflict in this very vivid and enjoyable poem. This conflict is most evident in his failure of the tests posed by the wicked Morgan le Fay. Gawain is subjected to devious tests of temptation and courage, which allows Morgan to mock his knightly ideals as Gawain fails the tests. The author uses satire to reveal Gawain’s inner conflicts and reveals that even the best of men possess a certain degree of selfishness and are subject to thoughts that they feel are completely against the morals they have been raised to expect from themselves.

- Gawain is disloyal in the fact that he did not give Sir Bercilak the green girdle that was given to him by his wife (384).

He was always courteous and never offended the fair lady all through her multitude of attempts in seducing him. His generosity was exhibited when he played the “winning game” with Sir Bercilak and always gave the Lord his fair winnings. He was also prided on his appearance and always made sure he was dressed in the finest ensembles.

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