There can be many parallels made between these ‘Sir Gawain and the Green Knight’ and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Apart from the fact that Tolkien is said to idolize the author of the poem and even released a translated version in the mid 1900s, Tolkien stresses many of the same themes as the poem. From temptation to Christian themes and morals, Tolkien weaves many elements from the poem into his trilogy. Although the poem outright states Christian themes, Tolkien was against making Lord of the Rings an obvious allegory. Regardless, he still incorporates religious morals and themes while drawing heavy influence from English myths.
Temptation is one of the key themes in ‘Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.’ Gawain faces three temptations …show more content…
The castle and Lady of the castle in the third book of the poem and Lothlorien and Lady Galadriel also portray temptation. The castle is a “courteous and Christian hall” at which Gawain feels at ease and at home even though he knows that he will most likely meet his demise in a few days during his confrontation with the Green Knight. Similarly, Lothlorien is welcoming to the Fellowship and allows them to rest at their leisure before starting towards Mordor to destroy the Ring- a task in which many would eventually die. Even in this place, temptation comes to each member of the Fellowship, as it did for Gawain. The Lady of the castle tries to tempt Gawain, who eventually folds when he is given the green girdle. In The Fellowship of the Ring, Galadriel tries to tempt the members of the Fellowship in a type of a ‘test’, while she, herself, is tempted by Frodo giving her the Ring in the same chapter. However, everyone passes this unofficial ‘test’ which is more or less a measure of the individual’s willpower and loyalty to the cause. During this time, however, Sam realizes that the Ring is preying on Boromir’s mind and is tempting him to steal and use the Ring for his own selfish reasons. Lastly, another minor comparison that can be made is between Gawain and Frodo and their attitudes towards their quest. Both are increasingly anxious as the storylines progress to meet their dooms (Mount Doom and
Temptation is one of the key themes in ‘Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.’ Gawain faces three temptations …show more content…
The castle and Lady of the castle in the third book of the poem and Lothlorien and Lady Galadriel also portray temptation. The castle is a “courteous and Christian hall” at which Gawain feels at ease and at home even though he knows that he will most likely meet his demise in a few days during his confrontation with the Green Knight. Similarly, Lothlorien is welcoming to the Fellowship and allows them to rest at their leisure before starting towards Mordor to destroy the Ring- a task in which many would eventually die. Even in this place, temptation comes to each member of the Fellowship, as it did for Gawain. The Lady of the castle tries to tempt Gawain, who eventually folds when he is given the green girdle. In The Fellowship of the Ring, Galadriel tries to tempt the members of the Fellowship in a type of a ‘test’, while she, herself, is tempted by Frodo giving her the Ring in the same chapter. However, everyone passes this unofficial ‘test’ which is more or less a measure of the individual’s willpower and loyalty to the cause. During this time, however, Sam realizes that the Ring is preying on Boromir’s mind and is tempting him to steal and use the Ring for his own selfish reasons. Lastly, another minor comparison that can be made is between Gawain and Frodo and their attitudes towards their quest. Both are increasingly anxious as the storylines progress to meet their dooms (Mount Doom and