Robert W. Lake
English 10
Mrs. Bradbury
November 2, 2008
Essay on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: Is Gawain Chivalrous?
In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, King Arthur has put in place some impossible chivalric ideals for his knights. Sir Gawain, who is known for his honesty and, has these ideals directly challenged by the Green Knight. From the start, Sir Gawain is set up like a domino to fail the challenges put in place by Morgan le Fay; however, that is where the analogy ends, as Gawain still could have mustered the self-control to resist the need for self-preservation. Although a good-hearted man, he prevents himself from living up to Arthur’s code by choosing the dishonest, albeit sensible path. While Gawain proves in many cases to be chivalric, there are times when his guard fails against temptation.
King Arthur is the noble leader who creates a standard of living for an order of knights known as the Knights of the Round Table. Basically, his aim is to set up a set of codes to help these knights become the best they can be. Gawain wields a shield featuring the five pointed pentangle with each point representing the major conditions a knight takes on. A knight must rely heavily on his ability to defend himself and others through the strength in the five fingers. Being aware of what is going on around one’s self determines the success of the knight’s combat skills and their adeptness in defense of others. Mary, Mother of Jesus, as well as Jesus himself set and example of prevalence through hardship and faith for Arthur’s men. In the Five Joys, Mary exemplified astounding faith by not doubting what she believed in and had promised God to do (i.e. The Annunciation). The final five of five are virtues that should be realized by every knight and are some of the most understandable and obvious qualities. They are brotherly love, boundless kindness, pure mind, manners, and compassion.
Jumping back to the Five Joys of Mary... [continues]
English 10
Mrs. Bradbury
November 2, 2008
Essay on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: Is Gawain Chivalrous?
In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, King Arthur has put in place some impossible chivalric ideals for his knights. Sir Gawain, who is known for his honesty and, has these ideals directly challenged by the Green Knight. From the start, Sir Gawain is set up like a domino to fail the challenges put in place by Morgan le Fay; however, that is where the analogy ends, as Gawain still could have mustered the self-control to resist the need for self-preservation. Although a good-hearted man, he prevents himself from living up to Arthur’s code by choosing the dishonest, albeit sensible path. While Gawain proves in many cases to be chivalric, there are times when his guard fails against temptation.
King Arthur is the noble leader who creates a standard of living for an order of knights known as the Knights of the Round Table. Basically, his aim is to set up a set of codes to help these knights become the best they can be. Gawain wields a shield featuring the five pointed pentangle with each point representing the major conditions a knight takes on. A knight must rely heavily on his ability to defend himself and others through the strength in the five fingers. Being aware of what is going on around one’s self determines the success of the knight’s combat skills and their adeptness in defense of others. Mary, Mother of Jesus, as well as Jesus himself set and example of prevalence through hardship and faith for Arthur’s men. In the Five Joys, Mary exemplified astounding faith by not doubting what she believed in and had promised God to do (i.e. The Annunciation). The final five of five are virtues that should be realized by every knight and are some of the most understandable and obvious qualities. They are brotherly love, boundless kindness, pure mind, manners, and compassion.
Jumping back to the Five Joys of Mary... [continues]
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