Q: Critically analyse the motifs of Gawain poet’s writing “Sir Gawain and The Green Knight.”
“Sir Gawain and the Green
Knight” is a late 14th-century chivalric
romance in Middle English
alliterative verse. Its poet is anonymous, but
confusedly ascribing authorship to John Massey who is
still controversial. Gawain, a courtesy of King Arthur's Round Table, accepts a
challenge from the mysterious fighter, The Green Knight. The Green Knight allows Gawain
to strike him with an axe, as well as he must face a return attack from Green
Knight. Additionally, Gawain raises an agreement to get his attack after one
year. The poem explores true nature of chivalry and knighthood, which
is emphasizing the code of conduct expected from knights. [CC-1]
"Sir
Gawain and the Green Knight" consists of 2520
lines and 101 stanzas. The poet broke “the
alliterative lines” into variable-length groups and ended these
nominal stanzas with a rhyming section of five lines known as "bob and
wheel." In which the "bob" is a very short line which sometimes
follows only two syllables. On the other hand, It is followed by the "wheel"
which longer lines with internal rhyme.
[750 Words]
The manuscript of Gawain is known
in academic circles as “Cotton Nero A.x.”,
following a naming system used by one of its owners, Sir Robert Bruce Cotton, a
collector of Medieval English texts. The theory has been advanced
that the poet was a member of the aristocratic ,De
Massey, family of Cheshire. As with the name of its
creator, the exact date of Sir
Gawain’s composition is unknown. It was first printed in 1839 by Sir Frederic Madden with “Pearl,
Cleanness and Patience.” If we talk about its setting, then it is
held in North Wales, West Midlands and Peak
district. [® Created by
Keshab Kumar Gayen]
In a land volume with "wonder,
dread and war, where loss and love in turn have held the upper hand."
Significantly, a Green Knight comes at King Arthur's court,
and challenges for a perilous game to Sir Gawain. Inside the game, Sir
Gawain strikes to Knight with his enormous axe, and Should be reattcked
from the Knight after one year. Fear grips the court, but Gawain is fueled by unwavering
chivalry.
While Gawain's
journey to the Green Chapel was hidden within the wilderness, which becomes a physical and spiritual odyssey. He
faces fearsome beasts and the harsh elements that is echoing the harsh
realities of the land that he traverses. Yet, Gawain stands resolute, and
defying "Destinies strong and dear" that is driven by
his commitment to knightly honor. Gawain says to
himself, "My God . . . that grinding is a greeting,"
and facing the equalizing Green Knight's axe.
However, amidst the trials, Gawain grapples
with the temptation. At a mysterious castle, the lord's beautiful wife, Lady Bertilak, tempts
him with kisses and gifts. Because she is urging him to break his vow of
chastity. Gawain is
sorely tempted, but remembers his loyalty. He accepts a girdle from the
lady, and promises to wear it for her favor. In this small concession, Lady
Bertilak is born from fear and desire, and marks a chink in Gawain's armor.
Who is foreshadowing the challenges his honor will face.
Gawain reaches
the “Green Chapel”, which
is a dark and foreboding place, and he prepares to face his fate. As the Green
Knight raises his axe, Gawain flinches, and failing to stand completely
firm. Gawain's transgression of accepting the girdle is exposed which is
causing him shame and a loss of chivalric perfection. Lady Bertilak advises,
"Now take care, Sir Gawain," and reminds
him the ever-present need for vigilance and integrity in the face of adversity.
Throughout the poem, Sir Gawain, the
protagonist, is tested in his commitment to these ideals when faced the Green Knight's challenge. The story examines
the tension between maintaining honor and succumbing to human vulnerabilities.
The appearance of the Green Knight, who survives a beheading and challenges
Gawain to a return blow a year later, which introduces the elements of “supernatural.”
However, in his attempt to maintain his own life, where he conceals the magical
girdle that is given to him by Lady Bertilak from the Green Knight.
In conclusion, "Sir
Gawain and The Green Knight" presents a series of tribulations
assembled as tests or "proofs" of
moral virtue. Gawain's journey is intricately connected to the cycles of nature
and the inevitability of fate. The color green is associated with the Green Knight, and also
present in the Green Chapel and the girdle; it carries symbolic
weight. Despite its medieval setting, the poem incorporates Christian
values. As T.S. Eliot observed
the poem's intricate beauty resonates with an "exotic
and densely fashioned tapestry is
reflecting the complexities of morality and the enduring struggle between honor
and temptation.”
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