Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Comparison Sir Gawain involved himself in a dangerous game when a stranger wandered into King Arthur’s hall. The stranger is called “the Green Knight” because both he and his steed are green. He came seeking adventure by requesting someone brave to play his game. The game calls for someone to strike the Green Knight with an ax, then in one year and a day the person who struck the Green Knight must find him and accept a strike from him. Originally, King Arthur agrees to play but Sir Gawain intervened. Sir Gawain strikes the Green Knight and decapitates him. However, this did not kill him. He grabs his head from the floor, tells Gawain to keep his word, mounts his steed and departs. Sir Gawain demonstrated bravery
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Gawain must find his way to the Green Chapel, but he does not know how to get there. The journey provides great opportunity for his thoughts to fester. He has a red shield that has a yellow pentangle that represents the five principles of knighthood, on the back of the shield is a portrait of Mother Mary. Gawain has promised his loyalty to Mother Mary, a value very dear to him. The beginning of Bob Dylan’s song “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” says “Mama, take this badge off of me / I can’t use it anymore” (1-2), these lines could apply to Gawain because the words “badge” and “shield” are interrelated. If Gawain is nervous on this journey, he could be talking to Mother Mary (“Mama” (1)) and expressing that he feels he is not worthy of the shield anymore. He could also be saying that he is going to die when he meets the Green Knight so the shield is no use to him. Gawain may be feeling lost: “It’s gettin’ dark, too dark for me to see / I feel like I’m knockin’ on Heaven’s door” (3-4). Gawain is starting to lose hope that he will find the Green Chapel. While on the journey to find the Green Chapel, Gawain finds a temporary place to stay. This castle belongs to Lord and Lady Bercilak. Gawain practices caution as he approaches, but he is welcomed with open arms. As he is approaching, the line “knockin’ on heaven’s door” (5) could apply to his feeling of uncertainty and unfamiliarity. Once settled into …show more content…
He pledged his loyalty to her, but he is letting Lady Bercilak kiss him. It is probable that Gawain feels guilty and if Mary is more than spiritual, she might be angry at Gawain for not remaining loyal. This is another point where the lyric “I feel like I’m knockin’ on heaven’s door” (4) might apply to Gawain. This could be interpreted as Gawain being scared of wronging Mary, but it could also be interpreted as Gawain being intrigued with what Lady Bercilak has to offer. Either of these ideas could be seen as tempting death or potentially opening the door to something
Gawain must find his way to the Green Chapel, but he does not know how to get there. The journey provides great opportunity for his thoughts to fester. He has a red shield that has a yellow pentangle that represents the five principles of knighthood, on the back of the shield is a portrait of Mother Mary. Gawain has promised his loyalty to Mother Mary, a value very dear to him. The beginning of Bob Dylan’s song “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” says “Mama, take this badge off of me / I can’t use it anymore” (1-2), these lines could apply to Gawain because the words “badge” and “shield” are interrelated. If Gawain is nervous on this journey, he could be talking to Mother Mary (“Mama” (1)) and expressing that he feels he is not worthy of the shield anymore. He could also be saying that he is going to die when he meets the Green Knight so the shield is no use to him. Gawain may be feeling lost: “It’s gettin’ dark, too dark for me to see / I feel like I’m knockin’ on Heaven’s door” (3-4). Gawain is starting to lose hope that he will find the Green Chapel. While on the journey to find the Green Chapel, Gawain finds a temporary place to stay. This castle belongs to Lord and Lady Bercilak. Gawain practices caution as he approaches, but he is welcomed with open arms. As he is approaching, the line “knockin’ on heaven’s door” (5) could apply to his feeling of uncertainty and unfamiliarity. Once settled into …show more content…
He pledged his loyalty to her, but he is letting Lady Bercilak kiss him. It is probable that Gawain feels guilty and if Mary is more than spiritual, she might be angry at Gawain for not remaining loyal. This is another point where the lyric “I feel like I’m knockin’ on heaven’s door” (4) might apply to Gawain. This could be interpreted as Gawain being scared of wronging Mary, but it could also be interpreted as Gawain being intrigued with what Lady Bercilak has to offer. Either of these ideas could be seen as tempting death or potentially opening the door to something