Sir Gawain And The Green Knight: Poem Analysis
Life, something everyone has experienced whether it be glorious or bland. It is also something we all hold dear, even if we all do not realize it. Upon analyzing Sir Gawain in from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight , a poem translated by Marie Borroff, one would find he is more concerned about his life in opposed to his honor, and that he uses his honor as a tool to make a better life for himself. This poem is about a mysterious green knight who goes to Arthur's court in search of a competitor for his game. In this game the Green Knight’s goal was to test another knight’s chivalry and their will to not break its code, and Sir Gawain took the challenge in which he failed in his own eyes, but succeeded in the Green Knight’s.
During this period …show more content…
So, he kept his end of the bargain and went in search of the meeting place the Green Knight told him to. In doing so he came across a manor, and Sir Gawain struck a deal with the lord who owned it. In this deal the two men had to trade whatever he they received for three days, where on the third day Sir Gawain broke his code of chivalry to protect his own life. He did this because the lady of the manor gave him a green girdle with a “...promise that it will protect him from harm” ( from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight pg. 17). In keeping the girdle that protects his own life he shows how much he values living.
Also, there is another instance in which Sir Gawain proves he was more concerned about his own life. This is when he finally encounters the Green Knight, and he is going to get his blow retaliated. When Sir Gawain leans over to have his head cut off “his shoulders shrank a little from the sharp iron” ( from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Ln. 361). In doing this he is involuntarily proving that he cares for his life.
Over all, life is something everyone holds near and dear to them, because you only get one. Sir Gawain shows this throughout from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight when cares more for his life than his honor. All the things he has done in the poem to gain honor was for the benefit of his life whether it was intended or
During this period …show more content…
So, he kept his end of the bargain and went in search of the meeting place the Green Knight told him to. In doing so he came across a manor, and Sir Gawain struck a deal with the lord who owned it. In this deal the two men had to trade whatever he they received for three days, where on the third day Sir Gawain broke his code of chivalry to protect his own life. He did this because the lady of the manor gave him a green girdle with a “...promise that it will protect him from harm” ( from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight pg. 17). In keeping the girdle that protects his own life he shows how much he values living.
Also, there is another instance in which Sir Gawain proves he was more concerned about his own life. This is when he finally encounters the Green Knight, and he is going to get his blow retaliated. When Sir Gawain leans over to have his head cut off “his shoulders shrank a little from the sharp iron” ( from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Ln. 361). In doing this he is involuntarily proving that he cares for his life.
Over all, life is something everyone holds near and dear to them, because you only get one. Sir Gawain shows this throughout from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight when cares more for his life than his honor. All the things he has done in the poem to gain honor was for the benefit of his life whether it was intended or