Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - Essay Example

? “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” Part I “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” is a medieval romance of the late 14th century that foregrounds an unusual story that takes place in King Arthur’s court, the Camelot. Even though the author of the poem is unknown, the text made of four parts resembles narrative poetry that tells a story about honor and chivalry. This paper mainly focuses on the first part of the poem set in King Arthur’s court and features the lavish celebration of the New Year disturbed by the arrival of the mysterious Green Knight. The poem exposes very important themes about the political heritage of Britain but also raises critical issues of honor and chivalry. However, these significant themes come out through meaningful styles and formats that turn around much symbolism, dense alliterations, lengthy and detailed stanzas. The main theme of the poem consists in the political foundation of Britain by Brutus and its legacy handed over to King Arthur. This connection between Brutus and King Arthur represents the political authenticity of the kingdom that still lies in good hands thanks to the talent, value and wisdom of its charismatic leaders. The narrator informs: “and fared over the French flood Felix Brutus / on many banks all broad Britain he settles” (1. 13-14). These lines praise Brutus’ efforts for having put in place the kingdom and the endeavors he had to go through. This political leadership allows King Arthur to inherit the same characteristics and set up his court, the Camelot. The speaker states: “But of all that here built, of Britain the kings, / ever was Arthur highest, as I have heard tell” (2. 6-7). This high consideration for King Arthur reveals that the political legacy is very stable and meaningful. However, this political stability is also reflected through the presence of the knights but also the Queen, Guinevere and her demeanor: “with Guinevere, full gaily, gracing their midst, / dressed on the dais there, adorned all about – / splendid silk by her sides, and sheer above” (4. 15-17). This splendid presence comforts the king and consolidates his leadership and the significance of Camelot. Furthermore, the presence of King Arthur’s nephew, Gawain, also represents another political trait because he symbolizes the continuity of the kingdom and its future preservation. The narrator points out: “There good Gawain was graced by Guinevere beside, / and Agravain a la dure main on the other side sits” (6. 3-4). Indeed, Gawain has a serious political status in the play as the representative of the new generation that stands for the survival of the kingdom and its perpetuation. Another political characteristic resides in the appearance of the mysterious knight and his curious demand. Knighthood represents an important aspect of kingdoms because knights constitute the expression of the value and standards of courts. The narrator introduces the Green Knight in this way: “And all garbed in green this giant and his gear: / a straight coat full tight that stuck to his sides” (8. 1-2). His disruption of the New Year’s celebration, his defiance to King Arthur and his insult to the knights pose a real political challenge that requires a proper handling in order to avoid a potential conflict. These lines indicate: “‘Nay, follow I no fight, in faith I thee tell. / About on these benches are but beardless children” (13. 1-2). This insult is a provocation that puts forward the knights’ immaturity and inexperience, which constitutes a true offense to King Arthur and his knights. His proposal of an unconventional game in which he sets up the rules represents another challenge that urges Gawain to respond and display his humility: “I am the weakest, I know, and of wit feeblest./ least worth the loss of my life, who’d learn the truth” (16. 12-13). However, the oath indicates his conformity to rules and the expectations he has about honor. Addressing Gawain he asserts: “‘Re-affirm we our oaths before we go further. / First I entreat you, man, how are you named, / that tell me truly, then, so trust it I may” (12. 17-19). Defying Gawain to chop his head, if he is not a coward, the Green Knight does not give him any chance to refuse. Even though the reasons behind the Green Knight’s motivations may not be clear, the quest for the unknown and the expression of chivalry may be good reasons. The poem uses styles that are very specific to medieval poetry that consists in a display of alliterations. Indeed, the text is full of different alliterations that participate in conveying the significance of the poem. Here are some examples: “The blood burst from the body, the bright on the green / and his head by the hair in his hand holds. / and as steady and staunch him in his saddle sat” (19. 13. 20-21). These repetitions of consonants in the beginning of words characterize the whole poem that reflects a literary tradition. Besides, the poem is narrative and tells a detailed and specific tale about Gawain and the Green Knight. It does not, most of the time, follow any rhyming patterns or schemes but resembles a free verse with no conventional regulations. Moreover, the poem also contains some symbolism expressed throughout the first part. Indeed, the color green represents an image used in the poem to refer to nature. The Green Knight has everything green in him, including his hair and his horse: “As grew green as the grass and greener it seemed, / than green enamel on gold glowing the brighter” (11. 4-5). This comparison between the Green Knight and grass demonstrates his connection to nature and may explain his supernatural powers. He may also be a messenger sent to teach King Arthur and his court a life lesson about virtue, honor and chivalry. Even the chapel to which he invites Gawain for his revenge is green, thereby, revealing the significance of the color green to this knight and to the poem. Furthermore, the format of the poem is very significant. In fact, part I contains 21 stanzas of different length that complement each other to convey to the poem its meaning. The narrator sticks to the plot and tells the story from one stanza to the other without breaking the pattern. This narrative poetry gives this part a sense of unity reflected in the complementarity of the stanzas. The absence of a particular and consistent rhyme scheme makes this poem a free verse. However, at the end of each stanza, there is a quatrain that follows a form of A B A B rhyme scheme. This mixture of styles indicates that the unknown author does not follow any specific convention. The setting of the poem participates in displaying the political and ethical characteristics of the work. Indeed, Camelot, King Arthur’s court, offers the security and comfort in which the first part takes place. The poem proposes a detailed description of the lavish celebration of the New Year and focuses on every aspect of the events including the conversations, the meals, the clothes, the guests and even their seats. This royal setting conveys a political but also human environment in which knights, ladies and regular guests gather to celebrate mundane holidays. However, the arrival of the Green Knight, with his curious demands, constitutes a disturbance that may be seen as a violation of this intimacy but also a political intrusion. “Gawain and the Green Knight” is a significant poem that portrays events in King Arthur’s court. This medieval poem conveys the political realities of the 14th century that put forward King Arthur’s kingdom but also retraces history and reminisces Britain’s heritage through Brutus. This first part foregrounds significant themes as this political legacy but also the life lessons about honor and chivalry. Besides, the styles and formats also contribute to the meaning of the poem in bringing their own specificities. Despite its supernatural powers and the mystery about his demand, the Green Knight represents a true challenge to King Arthur because he not only questions his authority but intrudes in his court and imposes his rules. Work Cited “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.” Trans. A.S. Kline. Poetryintranslation.com. Poetry in Translation, 2007. Web. 8Nov. 2013. Read More