SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT
The fourteenth-century poem "The Green Knight" is one of the most brilliant examples of medieval verse. The Gawain poet, combines realism with elements of the Christian ideal world. This poem has a basic aim and that is to illustrate how man could and should act in the most difficult of situations. How to keep your head and to have the courage to remain truthful to yourself and to your beliefs ... even in the most difficult situation. Gawain is the only knight in King Arthur's court who has the courage to step forward to accept the challenge from the Green Knight. W hen permission is granted the Green Giant leaves clear instructions that Gawain will find him at the Green Chapel the next New Year's day, to take on the challenge set before him. This poem deals with the annual pattern in the beheading (death) and life of the Green Giant with Gawain racing towards death to save others at Arthur's court. Gawain is taking on the...
