Essays on Sir Gawain and The Green Knight

In his article “On Being a Male in the Middle Ages,” Vern L. Bullough discusses the importance of sexual activity for maintaining a masculine identity during this time period. Bullough explains that male sexual performance was crucial in distinguishing men from women and asserting their superiority. However, masculinity was seen as delicate and required constant…

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight The Ideal Medieval Knight In Medieval times, much was expected of the knights that served the courts. Most importantly was that each knight was pledged to a strict code of chivalry. “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” is the ideal of a medieval knight. Sir Gawain directly exhibits the…

The High Middle Ages is a period of European history between 11th and 13th century. It is a time of great social and political changes. During that age the rise of chivalry becomes common and it is followed by the occurrence of the religious wars known as the Crusades. These events seem to be of…

In literature, penetrations into characters, topographic points, and events are frequently communicated to the reader through the usage of imagination within the text. This is the instance with Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The Pearl Poets usage of imagination tallies rampant within the work climaxing to put forth the subject of mysticism and/or the…

From the outset of the poem Gawain is tested. During the feast in King Arthur castle a visitor arrives. This visitor is none other than the Green Knight. Upon his arrival the Knight issues a challenge to Arthur. Arthur looks around to see if any of his men will accept this challenge, none of his…

Comparing Lanval and Sir GawainStories of knights and their chivalry from the earlier centuries continue to enlighten us on how modern gentlemen must act. Looking closely at Lanval and Sir Gawain, these two knights are reflections of the positive human state of loyalty and honor.”Lanval” is a popular lais of Marie de France, a French…

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is one of the Arthurian legends. It was translated by Marie Borroff. According to the legends, king Arthur and all his knights were the bravest, the strongest and the most chivalrous in the land. This tale goes on to contradict that theory, by telling the story of one of…