Romance and Allegory Essay
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is justifiably an allegory. An allegory is a narrative constructed by representing general concepts (Sin, Despair, and God) as persons. Many characters in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight have features that represent general concepts. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight can be interpreted allegorically by reviewing the characteristics and features of Gawain, the Green Knight, the Fair Lady, and the events that link the characters together. Some of the allegorical features found in the characters are obvious. The character Sir Gawain has the most obvious allegorical features within the poem. Sir Gawain is more than a knight; he represents "everyman" on a quest. During the late 1300's noble men displayed five classical virtues--brotherly love, good manners, compassion, open-mindedness, and beneficence. One can interpret Gawain's imperfectness as "everyman's sins". This idea becomes clear when Gawain states, "My journey is to judgment surely". Gawain represents "everyman" on a quest because at the end of every quest one receives judgment. Each mistake that Gawain makes represents man's sins. At the end of Sir Gawain's journey to find the Green Knight he is ju
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is justifiably an allegory because Gawain represents "everyman" on a quest, the Green Knight represents "God", and the Fair Lady represents "temptation" and "achievement". To hunt and kill a fox shows great skills and smarts. It represents man's search for God and the temptations that one faces in their long journey. The Fair Lady uses her slyness and wits to manipulate and seduce Sir Gawain. The Fair Lady represents not only "temptation", but the fox as well. The Fair Lady represents both "temptation" and "achievement". She is beautiful and smart, and to woo such a lady is a great accomplishment. The fox is not a great prize in itself, but the honor that it stands for is priceless. The three blows that Gawain receives represent all people repenting their sins. Even though the Fair Lady acts as temptation, she is representative of something else. During his stay at the castle, Gawain receives three kisses from the Fair Lady. The Green Knight tests Gawain's courage, honor, and strength during the three days at the Castle Hautdesert.
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Acceptance Essays
