Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - Essay Example

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight How does the structure of the romance reinforce the importance of the bedroom scenes between Gawain and the Lady? Explain the significance of these scenes and explain what would have happened if Gawain had behaved differently? How are the bedroom scenes related to the hunting scenes on a symbolic level? The actions of the lady are motivated by her innate desires because her feelings push her into assuming the roles of men. This immensely empowers her and makes her appear treacherous in some way.

These scenes are important as they have shaped the play and had Gawain behaved differently then the story would have had a different end. The bedroom and the hunting scenes are symbolically related because both characters face challenges in different ways and emerge victorious.2/ Discuss the role that courtesy plays in the tale. In your opinion does chivalric behavior protect women in a society where men have most of the power? Do you feel Gawain was justified in the anger that he expresses toward women at the end of the tale?

Courtesy plays a vital role in the play because it defines how the different characters relate to each other. Chivalric behaviour protests women in a society where men have most power because the presence of a defined code of ethics controls the way men behave. Gawain was not justified in the anger he expressed toward women at the end of the tale because he should have not been shackled to the extent of behaving differently. He should have remained his real self and acted in accordance to the code of chivalry.

3/ Compare and contrast the significance and the purpose of the pentangle and the green girdle. The green girdle was originally used for protection but it later become to be a symbol of cowardice and shame. Its adoption by the knights as a symbol of honour signified a transformation from good to evil and then back again. Its roles kept changing every now and then unlike that of the pentangle which signified Gawain’s perfection and power over evil. It is the most discussed symbol in the poem and it also had magical powers and was incorrigible.

4/ Explain the significance of the time of year in which this tale occurs. Relate the significance to the beheading game, the events in the story and to both Christian and pre-Christian symbolism.The time of the year is perfect as it depicts the nature of the Celtic pagan myth. The beheading game for instance is an element of the pre-Christian Celtic mythology representing the pagan belief. Both Christian and pre-Christian symbolism are present in the poem as the Virgin Mary on the other hand represents the Christianity era giving it a dual nature.