Thursday, October 29, 2009

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

1. The first three stanzas deal with the change in season from Christmas to Lent, then to spring and summer, then finally back to winter. It also tells that it is time for Gawain to make his quest.

Stanzas (4-6) describes Gawain's armor in great detail. It is here where they describe the five-pointed star, or pentangle that he wears. It represents a set of Gawain's virtues, his five senses.

In the 7th and 8th stanzas Gawain says goodbye to his friends and leaves the court.

Stanzas (9-11) he runs into a few obstacles, but always seems to overcome them. Winter grows colder and he seems to be having a very rough time. He prays to Mary to help him seek a holy place.

In stanzas 12-13 Gawain encounters the castle. He calls out to a porter who welcoming invites him in.

Stanzas (14-17) shows you how hospitable the lord and castle in general is to this knight. They give him a servant and provide for him a feast.

In (18-20) Gawain is introduced to two women. One he describes as being young and beautiful while the other is old and ugly. Here you see that Gawain and the young lady seem to connect a lot. It's as if they are in their own world.

In stanzas 21-22 Gawain begins to feel that he needs to leave and seek out the Green Knight or Green Chapel because New Year's morning is approaching, but the lord pleads for him to stay because he knows where the Green Chapel is and its only a mile away.

In stanzas 23-24 the lord proposes a game. He will go out hunting with his men and and at the end of each of the days, the two men will exchange whatever they have won.

2. In this section you see the motif of games. The lord introduces a game where he will go hunting and at the end of the day the two men will exchange whatever they have won. The lord's game seems harmless but its almost as if he is making Gawain feel ashamed because while he is hunting and will most likely be able to bring something home, Gawain will be sitting in the castle. How is he supposed to win this game? What happens in this section is similar to what happens in the first section. Both the Green Knight and the lord present games that are absurd. Perhaps they challenge Gawain to these games because they do not like King Arthur. King Arthur is said to be one of the greatest and has all of the best knights. Maybe they are just envious of King Arthur and wish to see his demise.

3. I think the castle serves as a big symbol in section 2. You could relate it to the theme of hospitality. It seems to be a symbol of salvation and paradise for Gawain. Except its superficialities seem to imply its falseness. The castle as you first see is very welcoming and luxurious to Gawain. However, when looked at deeper you begin to question this when the lord decides he wants to play a game with Gawain. Its almost seems as if the whole castle is supporting the destruction of Gawain. It seems as if they are all testing Gawain to see if he is as good a knight as he is said to be. I think the lord of the castle has a problem with Arthur and because of this they're testing Gawain to his fullness because he is said to be related to King Arthur. Gawain proves pretty successful when he is able to respectfully deny the lady. Yet, he does break down later when he accepts the green girdle.

4. Gawain is different in this section compared to the last. In the first section Gawain is seen as not very important. He himself says that he is the weakest and the least in wit. He also says that the loss of his life is of little account. The king definitely doesn't disagree with Gawain. He respectfully grants him his blessing. Then in section 2 you notice that from the minute Gawain reaches the castle he is treated with the utmost respect. The servants come to attend to him without question. He is given a place to stay, food, and company. He is also begged not to leave, when he thinks it is time that he should continue with his quest. Here he feels as if he is worthy and wanted.

5. Camelot seems to be a more friendly and hospitable place. It is fun and games go on in a playful matter. Even when the Green Knight enters into the castle, he is almost welcomed in. He is allowed to make his speech without any interferences. While Sir Gawain is at castle it seems to be more dark. It is much more serious. The castle challenges the virtues of Gawain. He is tested by his temptations, loyalty, and deceits.

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