In society, appearance is an important entity on how we live our lives and how others perceive an individual. Appearance also can dictate how we perceive ourselves and it can also guide how our future can formulate, like occupation and personal endeavors. In three works of literature I will illustrate how appearance is an extensive focus, and how appearance is used in the works to display personality and to display how the story will proceed and conclude. In Sir Gawain and Green Knight appearance is an important factor in the story, because of the emphasis on chivalry and ethics. When Green Knight arrived at Camelot during the Christmas feast, he appeared with great essence and that was described in lines (140-169). In those lines the description of the Green Knight was like describing an immortal god, for example:
“a fearful form, framed in the door: a mountain of a man, immeasurably high, a hulk of a human from head to hips, so long and thick in his loins and limbs I should genuinely judge him to be half giant, or a massive man, the mightiest of mortals” (136-141). In this small section of the passage the narrator goes into extensive detail about the Green Knights physical being and how his appearance is adequately intimidating. The Green Knights appearance is significant because throughout the story he is a very bullish individual. When the Green Knight challenges King Arthur’s court as well as Arthur himself to partake in the game he wants to perform, when no one obliges the Green Knight questions the king and his court fearlessness. “So here is the House of Arthur”, he scoffed “whose virtues reverberate across vast realms. Where’s the fortitude and fearlessness you’re so famous for?”(310-312). After the proclamation by the...
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...hivalrous which involves the way of vernacular and mere presence, but also appears equipped to go to battle. In Canterbury Tales the Knight has all of the qualities of a Knight but also appears as a Knight also. The merchant was described with fine a garment which is typical for a merchant with high income but his appearance besides his clothing highlights that he may not be what he appears. Before the Narrator describes the Merchants clothing’s, he highlights that he had a forked beard may convey that he is two-faced or like the “Devil” who will appear as something else and deceive. “A merchant was ther with a forked beerd (272-279).
With all three works I detailed in this analysis, literature details appearance; either with physical and psychological or even both. Appearance is what we as society’s base us on either with morality or what presents itself well.
His encounter with the Green Knight is imperative to his growth as a character. For the most part, all of the other supporting characters in the story remain static, whereas Gawain’s growth can be directly attributed to the task he he must complete to ensure the honor of Camelot. The Green Knight first appears and challenges anyone to come and chop his head off by stating that,
“What Meets the Eye”, this topic absolutely caught my full attention in personalized reading list for "Psychology and Human Behavior" members. It was by Daniel Akst and it can be found in our textbook “The Writer’s Presence A Pool of Readings Eighth Edition” page three hundred twenty nine. Its topic has completely reflecting the main idea of this expository writing, my interpretation of it is what caught your attention? We are humans and we are much on the visualization basis. Almost everyone, we have to admit that we judge people at the first sight. Honestly, there is nothing wrong with it, but we also have to accept the fact that it is our prejudice; our perception cannot be always right and accurate. In the essay, author was trying to examine the value of physical attractiveness, its
The Green Knight then arrives at Arthur’s court to pose a challenge for someone to cut off his head and to have the favor returned a year later. He and his horse are both entirely green and are clad in rich attire. The horse’s saddle is described as follows, in lines 164-167: “ About himself and his saddle, set upon silk,/ That to tell of the trifles would tax my wits,/ The butterflies and birds embroidered thereon/ In green of gayest, with many gold thread.” The Green Knight’s appearance makes his supernatural qualities apparent from the start, even before he is able to survive decapitation. Though his ornate clothing establishes him as a respectable knight, the fact that he is entirely green is not normal. Green is often associated with creepy, monstrous things, so therefore the knight is given a supernatural quality by that color.
Dissimilar to King Arthur’s opulent and boyish description, the Green Knight appears earthly, like an overgrown lumberjack in a debutante ball. His very entrance to the narrative aims to shatter Camelot’s superficial relationship with earthly trials. While Arthur seeks pleasure in hearing tales “of some fair feat” (92), the Green Knight undermines all formality known to be chivalrous challenging the king to a life risking game. With a “broad neck to buttocks” (137), (opposed to Arthur’s’ court depicted in the ever regal color red,) the Knight is clothed in green, the color of nature. He appears with no armor other then his faith, merely a utilitarian woodsman’s ax. While Green Knight is described like an animal who is said to have “wagged his beard” (306) yet understands the cyclical nature of life and truth of mans futility, it is only after Sir Gawain proclaims his lack of strength (though he says it at that point as a matter of chivalry) that he is able to ...
Sir Gawain is, undoubtably, the most varied of the Arthurian characters: from his first minor appearance as Gwalchmei in the Welsh tales to his usually side-line participation in the modern retelling of the tales, no other character has gone from such exalted heights (being regarded as a paragon of virtue) to such dismal depths (being reduced to a borderline rapist, murderer, and uncouth bore), as he. This degree of metamorphosis in character, however, has allowed for a staggering number of different approaches and studies in Gawain.
The Green Knight begins to mock the court; and then boldly, King Arthur accepts his challenge. Sir Gawain realizes that this should not be the king’s responsibility for there are others present worthy of the challenge including him. Symbolically, this scene can be seen as a Christian standing up for what he believes in. Gawain says, “I am the weakest, well I know, and of wit feeblest;/ And the loss of my life would be least of any; (354-355). Here, Gawain humbles himself before his lord, just as a Christian should in prayer to God.
In Gordon M. Shedd’s “Knight in Tarnished Armour: The Meaning of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”, he argues that Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is truly about the strength and weaknesses of human nature. One particularly interesting part of his argument asserts that Gawain’s humanity broke medieval romance tradition.
It is important to be aware that appearance is not as valuable as inner qualities, Firstly, Sophie Wender may have a physical deformity, which makes the people of Waknuk fear her, but her personality is very loving and kind. Secondly, Joseph Strorm is a representation of God’s true image, but his charisma is very atrocious. In conclusion, appearance can be deceiving: people need to stop pre-judging others based on how they
People are constantly being judged for their appearances. The world takes in these first impressions to allow people to form opinions of their own. Unfortunately, these appearances play a big factor in people’s lives. An appearance is the first thing someone can judge before actually understanding one’s personality. Sometimes an appearance will define one in a way they do not like, for example, the creature in the book Frankenstein. Along with many other characters, the creature plays an important role in the book since his appearance is unlike so many others. Because of this, the creature tries to overcome his struggles that are solely based on judgments that people made based on his looks. In the book Frankenstein, Mary Shelley uses appearances
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight fit in with the concept of a romance; it has all the elements that would make one consider the text as so. The tale holds adventure, magic, a quest and an unexpected reality check that even those who are considered “perfect” are also just humans. The author used this story as a way of revealing faults in some of the aspects of knighthood through the use of intertwining chivalric duty with natural human acts; thus showing to be perfectly chivalrous would be inhuman.
Throughout every individuals life there are experiences of unfair judgments based on someone’s appearance. While this is never a good thing, it is an action that everyone takes part in, whether it is purposeful or not. In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley’s message is very clear as she illustrates the cruel events that take place in a society focused only on outside beauty. The central message that Shelley communicates with Frankenstein, is that while appearance is just one of an individuals many characteristics; it is always a factor they are judged on regardless of all the other qualities they may possess.
“Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart” (Kahlil). People focus more on the outward appearance instead of the inward appearance. One’s inward appearance is comprised of their character, values, morals, and the true nature of their heart. On the other hand, the outward appearance is composed of one’s dress and grooming. The inward and outward appearance determines whether or not a person is ugly or beautiful. The choices that we make also define whether or not one is ugly or beautiful; choices made in the past can sometimes be repeated in the future.
The narrative artistry of Sir Gawain and The Green Knight can be attributed to the fundamental elements of chivalric life and the exploration of classic mythological elements that allows the narrative to bridge the gap between Christianity and Paganism, and allow its readers to find their own spiritual interpretation with in the text.
I’ve happen to notice in this world that other people assume your identity based on your appearance. Appearance is just like a costume, it covers you up to hide your true identity. Judging people based on their appearance is a real issue in the world today. In the book The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, the problem of misjudging based on appearance is very apparent throughout the novel. It shows us how people judge you by your looks. S.E. Hinton’s theme in The Outsiders is Appearance represents your identity in the world.
This essay elaborates on the importance of physical appearance of an individual as a criterion for personal development and success in a career.