Response to Literary Criticism In the article “Laughter and Game in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”, the author Martin Stevens thoroughly examines the function and role of play, laughter, and game throughout the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and how it develops the overall essence of art and defines medieval romance. Typically, the main focus in this romantic literature is centered on the sin, evil or combat associated within the characters and themes, however, Stevens believes that the joyous theme and inevitable playful nature throughout the story plays a higher significant role in the poem. The article portrays play and games as an art form and is also a method used for literary shape and creation to adhere vision. Steven notes
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The important characters are all individually observed and noting that every characters “seems to laugh at one time or another” (Steven). Steven believes that the laughter present during the several feasts play a role in representing the holiday atmosphere. Arthur and Gawain laugh when the bold and fearless Green Knight rides off amidst and when he realized no knight took initiative to his request, the Green Knight “laughed so loud that their lord was angered” (14). Feast, are the ultimately exclusive during holidays which are all part of poem’s landscape of play. Each “famous feasts” that lasted fifteen days, the “New Year gifts”, and “good beer and wine” all correlate with popular traditions in the culture along with valued aspects of Knightly virtues and chivalry (6). Chivalry, or the predominate image that depicts the average knight, is used to compare the quality or ideal figure of Gawain such as when determine his boldness in combat which also requires exemplary courtesy. The value of courtesy and chivalry is often identified in the medieval culture and Gawain’s courtesy is proven during the exchange of gifts
The important characters are all individually observed and noting that every characters “seems to laugh at one time or another” (Steven). Steven believes that the laughter present during the several feasts play a role in representing the holiday atmosphere. Arthur and Gawain laugh when the bold and fearless Green Knight rides off amidst and when he realized no knight took initiative to his request, the Green Knight “laughed so loud that their lord was angered” (14). Feast, are the ultimately exclusive during holidays which are all part of poem’s landscape of play. Each “famous feasts” that lasted fifteen days, the “New Year gifts”, and “good beer and wine” all correlate with popular traditions in the culture along with valued aspects of Knightly virtues and chivalry (6). Chivalry, or the predominate image that depicts the average knight, is used to compare the quality or ideal figure of Gawain such as when determine his boldness in combat which also requires exemplary courtesy. The value of courtesy and chivalry is often identified in the medieval culture and Gawain’s courtesy is proven during the exchange of gifts