Comparison Of Sir Gawain And The Green Knight
In the tale “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”, an unusual story is presented. This story is how Sir Gawain accepted the challenge of a stranger and resulting in partaking in a quest that would ultimately prove his character as a knight. However, this quest was so custom tailored for Sir Gawain’s personal pitfalls and strength that it was, in fact, only intended for him. While the Green Knight's game was offered all of the knights in King Arthur's court, Sir Gawain was the only one whom was fitting to partake in the test due to his personal flaws and strengths. During the early portion of the piece, when the Green Knight interrupts the merry celebrations of King Arthur’s court, is when it first becomes apparent that Sir Gawain was the knight
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While Gawain indeed contained a sizable and praiseworthy amount of chivalrous character, what he was lacking was an extra ounce of control over his involuntary responses. The Green Knight himself, while this is not apparent at first, in actuality represents the instinctual side of every person. According to Stephen Manning, the Green Knight is the perfect foil for Gawain, as he can be interpreted as “the dark or bad aspect of the psyche … that the ego finds unacceptable, whether disagreeable, terrifying, detestable, or immoral” and stand for each and every trait Gawain wishes he did not have (Manning 167.) The Green Knight is known for his green color, which was “recognized in the Middle Ages as suggesting the Other World,” or the inability to have control over one’s actions. His axe is “a symbol of the destructive side” of Gawain’s personality, and the instrument of beheading, which may literally be interpreted as the loss of one’s mind. Lastly, the constant theme of the hunt or “huntsman … is moreover associated with the animal level of the personality,” something that no knight should have in his character (Manning 168.) All of these factors comes into play during the climax of the piece, when Sir Gawain must have his own return blow placed upon him. Instead of overcoming his own personal fears of losing his life, Gawain instead flinches at the first swing, proving that his internal conflict had not been totally won. However, he submits to the second and third swings, proving that he had finally overcome the side of his own personal character that relented self-controlled and disciplined
While Gawain indeed contained a sizable and praiseworthy amount of chivalrous character, what he was lacking was an extra ounce of control over his involuntary responses. The Green Knight himself, while this is not apparent at first, in actuality represents the instinctual side of every person. According to Stephen Manning, the Green Knight is the perfect foil for Gawain, as he can be interpreted as “the dark or bad aspect of the psyche … that the ego finds unacceptable, whether disagreeable, terrifying, detestable, or immoral” and stand for each and every trait Gawain wishes he did not have (Manning 167.) The Green Knight is known for his green color, which was “recognized in the Middle Ages as suggesting the Other World,” or the inability to have control over one’s actions. His axe is “a symbol of the destructive side” of Gawain’s personality, and the instrument of beheading, which may literally be interpreted as the loss of one’s mind. Lastly, the constant theme of the hunt or “huntsman … is moreover associated with the animal level of the personality,” something that no knight should have in his character (Manning 168.) All of these factors comes into play during the climax of the piece, when Sir Gawain must have his own return blow placed upon him. Instead of overcoming his own personal fears of losing his life, Gawain instead flinches at the first swing, proving that his internal conflict had not been totally won. However, he submits to the second and third swings, proving that he had finally overcome the side of his own personal character that relented self-controlled and disciplined