Sir Gawain Essay

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Ashley Smith Survey of English Lit MWF 10-10:50 Professor Wymer Does Sir Gawain deserve to feel ashamed at the end of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight? Write an essay that makes a strong case for your assessment of his performance. At the end of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Sir Gawain discovers the actual identity of the Green Knight as well as the real reason he was asked to play both games. The Green Knight, who first appeared at King Arthur’s court the previous year is the host, whom Sir Gawain stayed with the previous nights leading up to his meeting at the Green Chapel. It is there at the home of the host that Gawain is asked to play another game. The final game entails that each day the host will go hunting and when the host returns he will give his game that he caught that day to Gawain; however Gawain has to give a gift that he receives that day to the host in exchange. For each day Gawain does what he is told except the last day when Gawain decides to keep the gift for himself. “By the fair terms we fixed on the first night; And fully and faithfully you followed accord:... For that is my belt about you, that same braided girdle, My wife it was that wore it... And the wooing of my wife--it was all my scheme!” (Lines 2347-2361) As the blade came down upon Sir Gawain on the third strike the Green Knight merely nicked him explaining that he will receive this nick as a reminder of his dishonesty with the the host. “True men pay what they owe; No danger then in sight. You failed at the third throw, So take my tap sir knight.” (Lines 2354-2357) From there on Sir Gawain wore the green girdle to remind him of his dishonesty towards the host. “Bold fellow, on this field your anger forbear!.... I owed you a hit and you have it; be happy therwith!” (Lines 2338-2341) Here the Green Knight is telling Sir Gawain that he should not feel anger but

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