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Writing a comparison/contrast essay for college
Comparative essay
College level compare and contrast essay
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In the text Sir Gawain and The Farier Queen the Knights from these books have several similarities. Both are honor-bound knights who are on a dangerous quest that examines both their character, as well as courage. Moreover, they are striving to uphold an ideal and achieving some state of perfection, even though no process on some of the challenges they face. Knights had a great sense of chivalry this gave the since of being protectors of common folk, and sworn to there king However, the two knights considering their similarities are looking for ideas that are different knightly.
Gawain’s ideal is very personal and intimate and deals with the behavior of a good knight in a society and the purpose of honor in daily life. In contrast, the ideals
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Sir Gawainis born in later medievil , there is a reflection of his morals to those chivalries of 14th century. In the first part of the poem, Gawain status is proven as a good knight through taking the challenge of Green Knight in part of King Arthur, “this folly befits not a king. (358) ” Thus, Gawain is placing himself at risk for his lord and kinsman, just as a good knight should do it. The act emphasizes the advantages of feudal ties in the community and the value placed by the author on vassal’s oath upholding to his lord. Another such example of chivalry would be when Bercilak the Lady of the castle Sir Gawain is staying at temps him with sexuality if it were not for his code of ethics , that tells him what is right and wrong then Sir Gawain would have given in to his …show more content…
In aristocratic culture of medieval, the most prized possession was the knight’s honor; and to Gawain, it is more advantageous than his own life, as witnessed by his dedication that is steadfast in upholding the challenge of Green Knight. When the guide of Gawain advises the running away of knight instead of confronting Sir Bertilak, Gawain answers that, even though he does not doubt the ability of the guide to keep secret on his retreat, this cowardice could not be tolerated. When Bertilak exposed that Gawain did not have “a little in loyalty” for maintaining the magic belt, the Gawain actions are excused by Green Knight as being natural due to Gawain love for his own life. However, the valuing of Gawain honor, sees this as an offense that is unpardonable and state that where there is fast making of a fault, it’s fixing is evermore. This is an in-depth look that is very personal considering knight’s honor and deals with most applicable questions to medieval
The author of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight gives a story depicting what a perfect knight should be by giving the character of Sir Gawain. The reader sees the challenges he endures and little by little the reader realizes that the mythical idea of a ‘perfect knight’ is not achievable. These tests that are given to Sir Gawain include bravery, honesty, and chastity. These values apply only to the noble knights and had nothing to do with the commoners. Gender roles are also of huge significance in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The author demonstrates to the reader how women and men in those times should were expected to act, with special emphasis on chivalry and courtly love.
Additionally, Sir Gawain represents a zealous knight that adheres to heroic codes regardless of what would prevent him from straying from becoming a righteous knight. Within Sir Gawain and The Green Knight poem, Sir Gawain has to embark on a journey full of wisdom and valuable lessons in order to test his courage and willpower of becoming an honorable knight. Hence, he must express his loyalty to himself and King Arthur as a knight, no matter what temptation that would degrade his perception of chivalry and valor. In this scenario, Sir Gawain asserts himself from Lady Bartilak by stating, “ ‘In fairness,’ […] ‘you found far better./ But I’m proud of the price you would pay from your purse,/ and will swear to serve you as my sovereign lady./ Let Gawain be your servant and Christ your Savior’ ” (“Sir Gawain and The Green Knight” 1276-1279).
As the protagonist of this poem, Sir Gawain is one of the greatest of King Arthur's knights, famous for both his bravery and courtesy. He alone undertakes the Green Knight’s beheading game in order to protect his King and the reputation of the knight of Camelot. Compared to the other knights who remain silenced with fear in the court, the poem highlights Gawain’s courage and loyalty. Although he is Arthur’s nephew and share the high table with Queen Guinevere at the new year celebration, we never see any arrogance and conceit from him at all. When he tries to prevent his king from playing this odd game and save the reputation of chivalry, he modestly claims himself as the weakest knight in Camelot and volunteers to take the challenge from the
Sir Gawain, in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight written by an unknown author in the late 14th century, is a chivalrous knight because he stays in line of the code of chivalry and stays true to not only his king, but all kings. In the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the Green Knight challenges the temerity of Sir Gawain’s kingdom. The king of the kingdom stands up for his castle to challenge the Knight, consequently, Sir Gawain steps in his place to save the kingdom and serve the king. Sir Gawain exemplifies the code of chivalry with this duty, among other duties performed along the way. He shows the utmost loyalty to the kings, the prowess of a bull, and an immeasurable amount of courtesy all directly following the guidelines on how chivalry is defined.
Sir Gawain follows each of the societally required aspects of chivalry and honor expected of knights during the Medieval Period. These aspects include: humility regarding one’s own value, honoring one’s promises, and the value of chivalry and honor over personal wellbeing. Although he dutifully follows all of the conventions, he only follows them to a point, with the exception of valuing chivalry and honor over one’s wellbeing.
In Medieval times, knights indulged in worldly temptations prevent themselves from achieving true nobility. The romantic narrative poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by the Gawain Poet is a body of work that not only illustrates the importance of connecting to the holy world rather than the real world but whether the holy world can survive in a world full of temptation. Gawain achieves this depiction through the use of setting, symbols, and characters.
The era of Feudalism brought along chivalry, a trait demonstrated by Sir Gawain in the novel Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Sir Gawain’s chivalric code of conduct is challenged by Lady Bertilak, but he is able to withstand by holding true to his virtues. However, Gawain fails when he is tempted with the green girdle that is enchanted with pagan magic. This represents the chaos during medieval Europe to which so many people fell victim too. In order to restore his chivalry and moral virtues, he had to repent his sins and look back to the Christian church for answers. By restoring his chivalric code of conduct, he is able to call himself a noble knight once more. Sir Gawain’s ability to restore his chivalric code represents how important of a factor Feudalism was to restore order and security to this chaotic
In the beginning of this epic tale, we are introduced to one of our main characters Gawain. In the castle ruled by King Anther he is not only a part of the royal family by blood but a knight. By Gawain upholding such
Ex1 For instance, Sir Gawain acts as King Arthur’s “right-hand-man” (“Chivalry”) by fighting the Green Knight (“Chivalry”). Gawain demonstrates honor, which is one of the ideal duties of a warrior, by fighting in place of his king. Elab The Green Knight challenges Gawain and makes it clear that Gawain shall not bow out of the battle (Sir Gawain 278). Ultimately, Lord Bertilak tests Gawain’s loyalty by making this point. Ex2 Later, Gawain is approaching his time of battle with the Green Knight and has a symbolic pentangle for protection. Elab2 The pentangle exemplifies the knightly virtues of an “endless knot” with his king (Sir Gawain 630). Essentially, armor represents a mode of protection for a knight going against evil. Lady Bertilak tests Gawain’s loyalty when presenting him with the green girdle (another piece of armor), which can keep him safe when he goes against the Green Knight (“Chivilary”). CONCL Overall, warrior chivalry is shown through Sir Gawain’s faithfulness to King Arthur and the use of armor such as a
In the medieval romance poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Gawain displays many chivalrous qualities. To a certain extent, the young knight lives an honorable life and fights bravely for the ideals of his king and country. He accepts the challenge of the Green Knight and bravely takes on the quest. While he appears honorable, Sir Gawain has trouble keeping his word of honor and refraining from cheating. He encounters this problem when presented with a magical girdle from Lady Bertilak while under an oath. The young knight also forbears from letting the Queen seduce him while respecting her at the same time. While Sir Gawain lives an honorable life, he encounters situations in which he breaks his word of honor, although he still manages to
Scholars think that “Sir Gawain and The Green Knight” was written during the 14th century, a point in which the age of chivalry began to decline. Granting that the legends of Arthur’s court are reminiscent of Gawain’s bravery, loyalty, and his devotion to the codes of chivalry, the narrative exposes his flaw(s). The anonymous author of “Sir Gawain and The Green Knight” uses the Green Knight and the green girdle as symbols to allude to the decline of chivalry within the author’s contemporary culture.
Sir Gawain’s wrongdoing for taking the girdle from the Lady does not bear a consequence from the Green Knight, for he forgives Sir Gawain, as it was his human instinct to protect himself to take the item. In the short poem, the Green Knight is known to say, “I declare you purged, as polished and as pure as the day you were born, without blemish or blame” (Artimage 181). The diction in the phrase allows the reader to envision purity in the form of a human, resembling Sir Gawain. Sir Gawain is astonished, almost not believing the knight, and thanks him for the gift that led to his failing, saying, “God bless you for this gift. Not for all its ore will I own it with honor” (Artimage 183). From the tone of these sentences, the audience is receiving the vibe of happiness and overjoyment. This might be to cheer up the readers, for the main character almost died. Redemption is not worth much unless the fault is taught upon, so others will not make the same error as Sir Gawain. This conception is fulfilled when King Arthur hears of Sir Gawain’s adventure, honoring and showering his court with cheerfulness for the Green Knight’s redemption as pictured in the passage, “...and each knight who held it was honored forever,” and “...every knight in the brotherhood - should bear such a belt, a bright green belt worn obliquely to the body, crosswise, like a sash, for the sake of
The story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight revolves around the knights and their chivalry as well as their romance through courtly love. The era in which this story takes place is male-dominated, where the men are supposed to be brave and honorable. On the other hand, the knight is also to court a lady and to follow her commands. Sir Gawain comes to conflict when he finds himself needing to balance the two by being honorable to chivalry as well as respectful to courtly love.
Gawain’s acceptance of Lady Bertilak’s girdle causes him to progressively lose himself internally in order to save his physical life. Gawain appears to be the perfect image of a knight, who exhibits himself as worthy and noble when he accepts the Green Knight’s challenge. Known to be “honored all over the world,” his remarkable valor and devout behavior define his character. He loses his honorable reputation, though, when he disrespects the honor of King Bertilak. Disgracing his knightly code, Gawain fails to exchange all of his gifts with the king and lies, without hesitation, to the king when he claims that “what [he] owed [King Bertilak] [he has] paid [King Bertilak]” (1941). Gawain directly lies to him without hesitation, proving that his conscience does not seem to be effecting his actions. Lying is a common action, but generally, it causes us to feel remorseful and guilty over our wrongs. Gawain breaks the code of chivalry that requires a knight to be loyal and honest, but he is not regretful due to his apparent selfish nature (“Code of Chivalry, 2 and 15”). He makes a deal with the king to “[trade] profit for profit,” yet he dishonestly “[hides] [Lady Bertilak’s] love gift” rather than honoring the king’s wishes (1677, 1874). Gawain makes a promise that he fails to fulfill. The girdle drives him to destruction because it pulls him away from what he knows to be good and
In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Gawain shows qualities of a chivalrous knight. He demonstrates that by showing generosity, courtesy, and loyalty during his travels. A mysterious knight shows up at the king’s castle and calls himself the Green Knight. The Green Knight then challenges one to play a game which he challenges the king to strike him with his axe if he will take a return hit in a year and a day. Sir Gawain steps forward to accept the challenge for his uncle King Arthur when nobody else in the castle would. He took the King’s role in the game to protect him from the Green Knight. He must learn to accept his responsibility as a knight, in accepting his fate.He demonstrates goodness at the hand of the Green Knight. He shows courage by accepting what is to come upon him during his voyage. His journey to find the Green Knight is filled with temptations.In the conversation with him and the “Lady”, Sir Gawain showed a Chivalrous code by keeping his loyalty to the king by not kissing his wife. The lady states “if I should exchange at my cho...