So often knights are depicted as iron-clad heroes in battle, men fighting for the honor and glory of their lord and kingdom. Fitt 3 of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight offers a different, softer perspective of the knight. Rather than focusing on the glory of knighthood, the Lady serves to highlight the chivalry that was also characteristic to knighthood. The Lady seeks not Gaiwain's protection, but rather compassion. For the Lady, "knights have ventured their lives for true love,/ Suffered for their love-longings dismal times" (199). Romance and courting takes precedence in the kingdom as Gawain prepares for his final journey.
The contrast of the Lord's hunt serves to emphasis this quality in Gawain. While the men of the kingdom spend their day valiantly hunting deer and ferocious boar--a creature which, notably, maintains an invincible character comparable to the Green Knight--Gawain remains in the company of the ladies. Further, Gawain is praised not for his bravery, but most often his courtesy and charm within the walls of the kingdom. Thus, Gawain's time spent in the kingdom serves as a foil to his ultimate mission. It is a time for Gawain to exercise his chivalric duties of knighthood before facing the challenge of the Green Knight.
No comments:
Post a Comment