Binary Opposition
It is all right to assume that the first scene in which a particular character is involved drastically shapes our opinion of characters in a particular novel or poem. Immediately we jump to conclusions about what is right and what is wrong, who is the good guy and who is the bad guy. In fact, once we get an initial impression from a character, it is unlikely that this opinion will change as we continue to read on, unless of course some drastic events take place. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is an excellent example of a poem where first impressions may not be the most important to the reader. As the opening scene unfolds, we are introduced to a Green Knight who seems extremely full of himself and Gawain who seems full of confidence and is ready to take on any challenge. However, the events that take place later in the poem will most definitely have an impact on the way we view each character individually. We are automatically forced to take sides, one of the characters is bad and one of them is good. It is absurd for someone to think that this is not be the case when two people confront each other in such a dramatic opening scene. By looking at the incidents that happen throughout the course of the poem, you can begin to see jus
The Green Knight was already aware that he would not die because of the beheading contest. He would simply lure Gawain into his game and get him to visit him at his castle so he can put his plan in full effect. As the reader turns the pages and begins to divulge himself in Part Two, it becomes clear that these assumptions may have been a little off in terms of what group to put the two main characters into. When Gawain embarks on his voyage to find the castle of the Green Knight, he has no idea that the tide is going to turn and his worst qualities are going to become exposed at the hands of the Green Knight, the man who he had beheaded just a couple of months ago. Gawain was greeted at the Green Knight's castle (he was not immediately sure he was at the right place) by a festive atmosphere where a feast has been going on for some time. He is immediately attracted to a woman he sees and thinks about the idea of possibly pursuing her in a sexual manner. Unknown to Gawain at the time, he was actually attracted to the Green Knight's wife, but of course it was oblivious to him since he did not even know if he was in the right castle or not. It is Christmas time and the people of the castle treat Gawain like a king, giving him a nice place to rest and all the food he can eat (it was customary for knights to be shown this sort of hospitality). When Gawain had gazed on that gay lady, with leave of her lord he politely approached (222). The attraction to the lady was just all part of the Green Knight's master plan. As Gawain begins to fall for the Green Knight's wife, his status in the minds of the readers begins to decline. He is secretly trying to have an affair with a lady who he knows is married. "To the prize of your praise-'twere a pure joy" (228). When the lady comes to wake Gawain up in the morning, this is the first hint he gives to her that he might be attracted to her in some way. He is pleased that she has come to wake him and wants to spend some time with her so the two can get to know each other. Meanwhile, while the men of the court are out hunting for food that will be served at the feast that night, they come across a dear and shoot it with arrows. The goal of this was to show a sort of sexual innuendo, hunting with arrows and killing a female deer. The actions of the hunters were similar to the actions of Gawain. He was picking his target and moving in on it knowing he had the upper hand. Gawain and the lady are know starting to have a more intimate relationship and the two even exchange a kiss in their next encounter. However, the next move for the lady is to propose that she and Gawain have an affair. Gawain answers this in a clever manner saying that he can not have an affair with a woman of the court, despite all the affection that he has shown her during his visit. As a result of this, the lady gives him a green girdle, which belongs to her husband, and instructs him to wear it and it will keep him from harm during the upcoming meeting with the Green Knight. She gave him the belt, and besought him for her sake to conceal it well, lest the noble lord should know (240). Now Gawain thinks he has it all. With this gift from
Some common words found in the essay are:
Green Knight, Green Knight's, , Gawain Arthur, green knight, Green Castle, King Arthur, Sir Gawain's, green knight's, Knight Gawain, binary opposition, knight's wife, Sir Gawain, Unknown Gawain, green knight's wife, transition evil, green knight belt, gawain lady, feast night, beheading contest, poem gawain, green knight category, gawain green knight, gawain trying,
Approximate Word count = 2128
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)
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