Sir Gawain and the Knight

Austin Lee

Engl 2

Professor Hanson

June 11, 2016

Essay #1

The poet who wrote “Sir Gawain and the Knight” is anonymous but this person had done an astounding job on the descriptions of each scene that was written.  All the details of each character brought them so much life and the dialogue that took place between the characters was beautiful.  Throughout the story the anonymous author uses symbolism, imagery, and allegories to capture the essence of each section.  This alliteration piece is about England Sir Gawain and the knight and it is done spectacularly through distinctive writing

We see that the author uses symbolism throughout his poem because he continues to describe each person, place or thing with color. There is definitely a reason why the author uses color because through the actions of the characters we see the characteristics through his symbolism.  For example, when the author describes the Chapel he says it is in the places of the wild.  He also mentions that it is a Green Chapel. We can conclude that the author was trying to depict the characters with nature which gives the reader more of an interest to the story.

In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight uses another literary device which is alliteration.  This style is consistent throughout the poem and brings so much more life to the writing itself.  For example, when the author wrote “and all his vesture was verily green.” The use of the “v” sound brings a beautiful alliteration to the piece.  Another example is when the author writes, “The bridle was all barred about with bright gold buttons.”  This shows how the author used “b” to alliterate and emphasize his poetry.  

When we analyze the setting of “Sir Gawain and the Knight” we also can conclude that he used the medieval romantic era to portray the interesting places that each scene took place in.  In the last scenes of the story the setting took place in mostly the wilderness.  The setting highlights how the Green Knight was related to the wild and how he explored his identity through that setting.  The author uses this element to effect the reader in a curious and attractive way.  

In conclusion the author of “Sir Gawain and the Knight” gives the reader so much interest to the story and brings the reader suspense because of the way this was written This theme of chivalry evokes so much bravery through the author’s writing. I wonder if the author was writing this as if he was the Green Knight or was somehow connected to the story.  

Short Story/Tale/Legend Analysis For

1. Plot

1. What the story is about:

1. This story is about Sir Gawain and the knight.  Gawain chops off the Green Knight’s head.

1. Rising:

1. Arthur and his knights gather in the castle for Christmas, but Arthur will not eat until he has heard a miracle. Out of no where a green man comes riding on a green horse

1. Falling action:

1. The Green Knight really prolongs the suspense here while Gawain wants to get his death over with.  However, the Green knight continues to tease Gawain

1. Denouement:

1. The Green Knight explains that he is actually Lord Bertilak, and that a powerful sorceress named Morgan le Fay enchanted him and sent him to Arthur’s court in order to test the knight.

1. Setting

1.  Camelot; the wilderness; Bertilak’s castle; the Green Chapel

1. Conflict

1. The major conflict is largely Gawain’s struggle to decide whether his knightly virtues are more important than his life.

1. Mood (feelings, emotions)

1. There is a lot of suspense and unexpected scenes

1. Characterization (people in story, physical appearance, thoughts and attitudes)

1. Sir Gawain

1. Protaginist as a knight

1. Green Knight

1. visitor to Camelot.

1. Bertilak of Hautdesert

1. we learn that Bertilak and the Green Knight are the same person

1. Bertilak’s wife

1. beautiful young woman

1. Morgan le Faye

1. powerful sorceress

1. King Arthur 

1. young and beardless

1. Queen Guinevere

1. the beautiful young Guinevere

1. Theme

1. The nature of chivalry and the letter of the law

1. Point of View

1. written from the author’s viewpoint outside the story

1. To what audience does the narrator address the story?

1. He addresses to a local audience

1. Which part did you find most interesting?  Why?

1. I thought it was interesting when Sir Gawain was the one to chop off the green knight’s head because it took him three times to do it.  

1. What was confusing about the text?

1. It was confusing when I found out that the Green knight was the Lord of the castle.

1. How does the author use the following in the story:

1. Use of details

1. He uses

1. Emotions evoked in the reader

1. Interest and suspense

1. Voice

1. The author uses voices that were both commanding and urgent.  

1. Style

1. There was a lot of imagery, and alliteration

1. Mechanics

1. Amazing structure that brought interest throughout the story