Nowadays, games are played for enjoyment or competition, but during medieval times, games or tribulations were utilized as a way to test a person’s meter and were considered an expedient of regalement. In medieval times, the men who were most staunch and fought for the king were Knights. Achieving knighthood is an arduous task that requires years of training. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the author demonstrates the main aspect of Knighthood, which is the code of chivalry. This allegiance conferred upon knighthood states Knights should be brave and fearless in battle, but additionally exhibit characteristics displaying their courtesy, honor, and gallantry. Throughout Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the author presents multiple games
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In order to sit at this table, a knight would have to first prove his worthiness. At the opening of the story, King Arthur is feasting [in the courthouse] and proposes a game that he will not masticate his victuals until his auricular discerns an “outrageous fable,” (93). The author uses imagery in this scene to foreshadow a story filled with amazement is approaching. As lords and ladies feast on delectable food, Arthur awaits a marvelous story. Suddenly, a giant, concealed in green, with his horse approaches the door. Astonished by his size and uniqueness, everyone visually examines the mysterious man. Furthermore, now perceiving this man as the Green Giant, he introduces another game to the audience. Albeit, this game did not call for a fabulous story, on the other hand, it presented a “beheading game” (Introduction, 135) to prove who is the bravest of the knights. The green giant addresses the court “to strike me one stroke (without flinching) and be struck in return,” (287). Ignoring his obnoxious verbal expressions, he perpetually …show more content…
Throughout these trials, Gawain endeavored exceedingly hard to maintain his knightly characteristics. However, his humanity kept falling through, making him fallible to the tribulations. In the final game, as the scene unfolds, the author uses enjambment to reflect different portions of the trials, as the Green Giant inflicts three strikes upon Gawain. The first strike representing bravery, the second strike signifying Gawain’s honesty, with the final strike denoting “covetousness” (2374). The author exposes Gawain’s human nature as throughout Gawain tries unfailingly to maintain his code of chivalry. As the author concludes the story, and Gawain’s journey comes to a cessation, he recognizes his imperfections and admits fault claiming, “I am found to be flawed and false” (2382). In recognition of Gawain’s acknowledgment of his own flaws and having openly paid penance at the point of the axe, the Green Knight absolves him from all his faults. Finally, in tying the keywords to the theme, we see the magnification and growth of Gawain as a chivalrous knight to be
In order to sit at this table, a knight would have to first prove his worthiness. At the opening of the story, King Arthur is feasting [in the courthouse] and proposes a game that he will not masticate his victuals until his auricular discerns an “outrageous fable,” (93). The author uses imagery in this scene to foreshadow a story filled with amazement is approaching. As lords and ladies feast on delectable food, Arthur awaits a marvelous story. Suddenly, a giant, concealed in green, with his horse approaches the door. Astonished by his size and uniqueness, everyone visually examines the mysterious man. Furthermore, now perceiving this man as the Green Giant, he introduces another game to the audience. Albeit, this game did not call for a fabulous story, on the other hand, it presented a “beheading game” (Introduction, 135) to prove who is the bravest of the knights. The green giant addresses the court “to strike me one stroke (without flinching) and be struck in return,” (287). Ignoring his obnoxious verbal expressions, he perpetually …show more content…
Throughout these trials, Gawain endeavored exceedingly hard to maintain his knightly characteristics. However, his humanity kept falling through, making him fallible to the tribulations. In the final game, as the scene unfolds, the author uses enjambment to reflect different portions of the trials, as the Green Giant inflicts three strikes upon Gawain. The first strike representing bravery, the second strike signifying Gawain’s honesty, with the final strike denoting “covetousness” (2374). The author exposes Gawain’s human nature as throughout Gawain tries unfailingly to maintain his code of chivalry. As the author concludes the story, and Gawain’s journey comes to a cessation, he recognizes his imperfections and admits fault claiming, “I am found to be flawed and false” (2382). In recognition of Gawain’s acknowledgment of his own flaws and having openly paid penance at the point of the axe, the Green Knight absolves him from all his faults. Finally, in tying the keywords to the theme, we see the magnification and growth of Gawain as a chivalrous knight to be