Please excuse the late post!!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
What do you think of Sir Gawain as a man/knight/hero from your first impression of him? Remember the manner in he volunteeers to take Arthur's place in the beheading game and how he is treated by the company in the hall and by the Green Knight. What do all those things suggest about his character?
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I think that as a knight he is slightly timid but very noble.I state that because he willing offers to give his life up for King Arthur. He is treated as if he didn't even matter very much because they all were cheering him on in a sense. The Green Knight even let him have the first blow because of the lack of confidence he had in him. This all suggest that despite his size the man can really pack a blow and his very noble.
ReplyDeleteI think it appropriate to look at Sir Gawain as a hero, he might have been laughed at by others, but his heroic actions surpass the other knights who were unwilling to step up to the task. Even though he was timid and was lacking in confidence he stepped up and did what had to be done!
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ReplyDeleteSir Gawain's character can definitely be descibed in three different outlooks. First you can describe his nature as a man who is very polite but also very feeble since he calls himself "the weakest" (line 354). A knight has the qualities of being courageous, dutiful, and dedicated. Therefore Sir Gawain fits into that discription making him a honorable knight. He is courageous in the way that he stands before everyone to take on the hard task that the king himself has taken. He shows dedication to being a knight and fulfilling the duties that come along with it. He is a hero to the king as well as to the court. Although, the court would rather "give Gawain the game and release the king outright" he is a hero to them all for taking it upon himself to take on such a delegation.
ReplyDeleteSir Gawain could be described as a hero because he is willing to play the beheading game and risk his life in place for King Arthur. He is King Arthur’s hero for “saving” his life. As a man, Sir Gawain could be said as humble or noble because he does not pride himself as the best or the strongest but as the weakest and the least worthy of the group. Everyone in the company of the hall praised him for doing such an honorable duty for his king. Although the Green Knight was much bigger than Gawain was, Gawain was still able to behead the green knight. Because of this, Sir Gawain could be said as someone who knows when to step up and serve his king. Also, that he was stronger than the Green Knight had estimated.
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ReplyDeleteI think sir Gawain is a man of weakness and one that was babied by his mother, maybe a “momma’s boy”. When the Green Knight made the offer to play the game, Sir Gawain heard the rules and thought that it was the perfect time to step up and show that he is strong and not scared, since the rules sound like a win win situation. It gives him a propose to sit next to the queen and with the rest of the people of power and honor at the table.
ReplyDeleteSir Gawain proves to be a very worthy knight by accepting the beheading game in place of the King. Though Gawain begins to describe himself as "the weakest" and "of wit feeblest," he actually believes otherwise. The moment the Green Knight hurdled into the hall, he sought but one person, "The captain of this crowd." This implies that only one with such experience, one familiar with leadership, would be able to partake in such a gruesome game. There was not one in the room, aside from King Arthur himself, who stood before the Green Knight to accept the challenge; and even King Arthur hesitated a bit before doing so. Concerning a game of impending death, many would choose to look the other way. However, Sir Gawain believed himself to be worthy of such a game. And in doing so, he has proven his worth as a Knight, his loyalty to the King, and his dedication to his people, by undertaking such a dangerous task. Sir Gawain is a man of noble intent, and a hero amongst those of the Court.
ReplyDeleteMy first immpression of Sir Gawain was that he's noble. However, he tends to act first without thinking of the consequences that may follow afterwards. For instance, he didn't have to take Authur's place in the beheadding game. But since he felt unworthy he did...He has a strong character and presence about him.
ReplyDeleteI think that Sir Gawain is very honorable. He doesn't hesitate to stop King Arthur and take his place. He obviously knows the danger, yet continues to do the job. Even the other knights he was sitting with would not take the king's place. Sir Gawain is very brave. Maybe he did this to prove to the other knights that he could do it. To show them that he was a good knight. Maybe he just did it because of his loyalty to the king. Still, he was the only knight to do it.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that Sir Gawain is a honorable knight, but he is very timid. One of the characteristic of a knight is confidence and it seems that he lack that, because when the green knight ask no one speaks so the king gets up. At the end of the first section he proves that he is more loyal and brave than the other knights while they were just cheering him on.
ReplyDeleteKyle, I think your perception of who and why the Green Knight wanted to fight is probably more accurate than any. I did not preserve that the Green Knight came to challenge the king because of his status. I thought that he was coming to fight anybody who would step-up. Sir Gawain could have hid in the shadows and watched his king take the game, but I now see that Sir Gawain is honorable for taking over what the king was hesitant to accept.
ReplyDeleteSir Gawain is very much considered a hero after he agrees to the beheading game. Beforehand, however, Gawain was a shy, timid, ordinary man and viewed himeself almost unworthy of being a knight. Gawain's image in the poem did a complete 180 after the Green Knight showed up to the feast. He gained confidence and motivation to be labeled as a worthy knight and took on the challenge nobly. I believe in the end when the Green Knight leaves, the people of the kingdom, King Arthur, and Gawain himself all view him as a much more brave person, knight, and hero.
ReplyDeleteNot a lot was mentioned of Sir Gawain in the earlier of the poem since he not very well known nor does he stands out among the knights of the Round Table. Since he is very shy and considered himself as "the weakest" among the knights, the beheading game is a perfect opportunity for him to show his bravery and worthyness of a knight for King Arthur. No one else among the court was willing to stand up and accept this challenge except Sir Gawain. This proves that Sir Gawain is a hero who is loyal to his king, and he is also courageous and daring.
ReplyDeleteSir Gawain is highly regarded only because of his bloodlines (sitting with the important people), but steps up to protect his king when no one else will. As a man he lacks confidence, but steps up to be an unlikely hero. The Green Knight treats him with semi-respect because he needed to goad someone to step up to the challenge, and the King was the first (appropriately) to step up. Sir Gawain probably couldn’t believe that no one else stood up, but he summoned the courage to protect his King.
ReplyDeleteThis suggests that his character is shy but very loyal. We don’t know what happened prior to the great feast to determine what his life was like and how he was treated by his family. However, due to his being the King’s nephew, he was treated with high regard by virtue of where he sat in the hall.
Although it would seem that Sir Gawain expected that he couldn't lose the beheading game, everyone in the hall also realized that the Green Knight was no ordinary knight. This was the time of magic, so it may have been no surprise that the Green Knight was not human.
Due to Sir Gawain's seat at the table and his relationship with the king my first impression of Sir Gawain was that he was noble. Gawain does step up to take the place of the king in the beheading game until the game almost starts this is where my first impression changed. I believe Gawain stood up because he thought the game was an easy win, he would behead the Green Knight and that way the Green Knight would not later be able to behead him. Gawain realizes that this is not the case since the Green Knight picks up his head and continues to speak to Gawain. Gawain knows that this is not the turnout he will have when the Green Knight comes back in a year and a day to behead him. The Green Knight also tells Gawain that he will come back and is not hard to find as well as calling him a coward if he does not show! Although Gawain did not stand up at first, he was the only knight that stood up at all and does deserve credit for that.
ReplyDeleteI think he was quiet, almost timid but it should not be mistaken for weakness because I feel Sir Gawain has great inner strength but I do believe he is a lesser hero type maybe even a loyal sidekick in another story but yeah he's a pretty cool guy =P
ReplyDeleteI believe that Sir Gawain showed those boys what a real man was. Upon introducing Sir Gawain, his character may have been deemed feeble, languorous, timid, or any number of adjectives depicting weakness. What is missed entirely is his air of humbleness, courageousness, and honorableness. When first mentioned, Sir Gawain is sitting quietly next to Lady Guenevere. He isn’t openly participating with the rest of the knights. He doesn’t feel the need to be loud and boisterous to prove how big and strong he is. Perhaps that is why everyone underestimated him. When the Green Knight appears, all the knights are put to the test. They all fail, except for Sir Gawain of course. The other knights, for having painted themselves creatures of honor and bravery, fall quite short. King Arthur accepts the challenge out of pure shame and impulse. If King Arthur dies, where would that leave his people? Sir Gawain asks himself this question and thus shows everyone his distinguishable character traits by taking King Arthur’s place in the challenge. Sir Gawain’s actions define him not only as a true knight but also as a hero.
ReplyDeleteI fully agree with BeckerDonner. I never really thought about Sir Gawain's past and how he may have grown up. Starting the story the way it did without any background gives the reader the ability to make an impression of Sir Gawain based on his actions. As for the magical period I'm confused. How do you know that it was "the time of magic?" Is that based on historical context or did I just not understand a part of the story in which you may have made that observation?
ReplyDeleteAs for what S.Rodriguez said, I never really thought about him as being humble. But after reading further, his charachter doesn't seem to be so socialable and outgoing. So instead of seeing him as only somewhat fearful, I'm definitely going to take the aspect of him being humble into consideration.
I would have to disagree with KDPeters. Sir Gawain is certainly not a man of weakness. He proves his courageousness when he takes King Arthur’s place in the challenge when no one else does. I do believe that it takes more than a man of weakness to take on such a great task. Furthermore, Sir Gawain did not need not a purpose to sit next to Guenevere as he was nephew to the King.
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ReplyDeleteMy first impression of Sir Gawain is that he is a quiet,well manered, and reserved individual. Although he seems to have really gone over the situation in his own mind, he's the kind of person who will react to something without taking a lot of time to speak about it. This great knight probably would have made a good emergency room doctor or crab fisherman in modern times. Sir Gawain is a moral and chivalres character. His actions in volunteering also show us an extreme level of patriotism.
ReplyDeleteWhen reading "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight", I developed a positive impression of Sir Gawain as a man, knight, and even hero. When the Green Knight unexpectedly walked into the dinner party and proposed that one of the men play the beheading game with him, the knights and other party guests stood in silence until King Arthur himself volunteered and took the ax. Although Sir Gawain was not the first to stand up, he eventually did stand and took the ax from the King. He believed that he was the weakest out of all the knights and even said that the loss of his life "would be least of any". The fact that he was perceived as weak by others, but stood up when nobody else would made me have a good impression of him because there were other knights present who were much stronger than him, yet they all remained seated;he overshadowed them all with his bravery which is heroic. After he beheaded the Green Knight I believe he gained more respect from those around him. Sir Gawain stepped up, revealed his brave character, and gained respect from the other knights on the court as well as King Arthur.
ReplyDeleteI dissagree with KDPeters about Sir Gawain being a moma's boy. I think he may fit in the catagory of "Walks softly & carries a big stick". Just because he's a nobleman doesn't mean that he is automatically a creep. I think that he's a hero.
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree with KD Peters. I do not believe that Sir Gawain is a man of weakness. He stood up when no other knight would even though the situation would most likely be a win/win. Just because he did not stand up first when the Green Knight made his proposition does not mean that he is a man of weakness or chose the opportunity to show that he is brave and courageous. In my opinion, I think his action to stand was sincere and honest; it does not make him a "momma's boy".
ReplyDeleteI agree with S.Rodiguez said about Sir Gawain. In the beginning, he does seem very quiet and “mysterious”. Then, when he stood up and took the king’s place, he changed everyone’s perspective of him. I do see him as a true knight because he thought of the people first and how much they needed Arthur as the King. In some ways, I do agree with what KDPeters said because it seems that he is just trying to prove himself to everyone.
ReplyDeleteI think that Sir Gawain is a good person overall. He rises to take a challenge that no one else rose to accept from the Green Knight. He seems quiet and shy, but he seems honest and loyal because of the fact that he is so timid.
ReplyDeleteMy first impression of Sir Gawain is pretty good. He shows his bravery and loyalty to Arthur when he volunteers to take his place. Also, his manner of volunteering shows his humility. What would it say of him if he volunteered and said "Let me do it! I can do it better!" He did it out of love and fealty to Arthur, not for personal gain or fame.
ReplyDeleteObviously from where he was sitting at the feast my first impression of Sir Gawain was that he is noble. I also see him as being very loyal to Arthur because he volunteers to take Arthur's place in the beheading game. I feel like he may not be the 'typical' knight but I think he will eventually prove himself to be a great knight throughtout the story.
ReplyDeleteI think that Sir Gawain is an honorable, brave, and humble person. I feel he will prove himself to be more then even he knew.
ReplyDeleteI think that Sir Gawain is a Good Knight given that he played the beheading game. Sir Gawain I think use to be a weak person, and this voluteering to do the beheading game made him a stronger, well respected man. I think is character changed and he had grown respect by the hall. Sir Gawain was a good man for volunteer after Arthur said he would do it.
ReplyDeleteHis action of volunteering to take on the challenge offered by the Green Knight was a very honorable move. Then, at the castle he's greeted and treated very warmly due to the fact that he is a relation to King Arthur.
ReplyDeleteI fully agree with what was stated by S.Rodriguez. At first, Gawain was not introduced to the reader as someone full of strength and courage; he simply was not an outstanding character before the entrance of the Green Knight. He was not overly loud, overly proud, nor overly pompous. Instead, he played his part amongst those sharing his same table. However, Gawain shows us that despite his courteous and sincere attitude that he maintains on the outside, underneath is a man full of strength, courage, and loyalty. Gawain soon rises above all other knights present as he accepts the challenge laid out before his people in place of his King. What better way to express his loyalty to his people, to his King, than to risk his life by saving King Arthur's? It is his actions and his characteristics that make Gawain the true knight, the true hero, that he really is.
ReplyDeleteMy first impression of Sir Gawain as a man/knight/hero is that he is not perfect, but his intentions are in the right place. As the Green Knight wanted to challenge King Arthur, no one moved to take the place of their fair king. So, Sir Gawain, as “weak and timid” as he was came to be the only one to stand up and sacrifice for his lord, not because he was his uncle but because there was no one like him in Middle England. That showed everyone how much of a knight and hero Sir Gawain really was, especially to the knights that were better skilled than him who didn’t offer their life in place of their king. The Green Knight did what he could to have Sir Gawain back down because the Green Knight didn’t see him as a worthy opponent, but Sir Gawain stood his ground. All these things suggest that Sir Gawain stands up for what he believes in no matter who is present. I personally believe that’s what gave him the strength to sacrifice his life and the courage to face the burden that he must face in a year and one day.
ReplyDeleteI’m in agreement with Trista Welch and AMurphy. Sir Gawain is seen as a minor character at the beginning, however, as the poem develops we see Sir Gawain become more of a dynamic character as his literal deadline is approaching to face the Green Knight as charged. Showing great leadership and sacrifice in his most desperate of times. That would be his legacy that all will remember him by as well as being King Arthur’s nephew.
ReplyDelete@ Leigh...I agree with her because Sir Gawain is very honorable by taking Arthur's place in the "game", also because he stepped up to the plate when no one else would; even though he made himself look like a coward in some places.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jose in that Sir Gawain's heart was in the right place when he stepped up to take part in this "game". You don't have to be the biggest, strongest, or the most popular but if your stepping out to do what you think is right and to not back down, that is noble.
ReplyDeleteMy first impression of Sir Garwin made me think of him as a weak little knight. Sir Garwin is an example of how society sees quiet people. When a person is not out spoken and likes to stay to their self people start to assume things. Sir Gawin's quietness was looked upon as a weakness. Garwin was not weak at all he was willing to lay down his life for the king. This shows me that Sir Garwin is faithful and strong at heart. All the other knights were supposedly the "best", but none of them wanted to defend their king in the beheading game. The knights were all cowards. Sir Garwin is a real hero and the only one the king can really count on. Even though he was called the weakest by the Green Knight, the King and the hall. Sir Garwin didnt let anyone discourage him from doing the right thing. Sir Garwin was loyal to his king.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mireya, everyone seen Sir Garwin as the weakest, but he proved to everyone that he is really the strongest. Sir Garwin is a good person inside and out. He was able to behead the mighty Green Knight while others just stood around and watched. For this Sir Garwin has gained respect from his people.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with KD Peters. Like I said in my response, I did have a change of opinion about Sir Gawain but do not believe he was a "momma's boy". I believe that Gawain was not a man of weakness and did show some nobility by standing up to play the game. I believe KD Peter's perspective is a little strong and harsh. I don't believe Gawain should be judged so strongly because he hesitated to stand up to play the game. Again, no other knight stood up. King Arthur's knight's are suppose to be known for their nobility and that was not shown by any of his other knights.
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ReplyDeleteI would have to disagree with KDPeters. At first I did have the impression that Sir Gawain only accepted the challenge to prove to King Arthur and the other knights that he is not a man of weakness, or that his presence at the Round Table is due to the fact that he is related to King Arthur, like how KDPeters suggested. However, the fact that Sir Gawain stood up and accept the challenge in place of King Arthur showed that he is brave and courageous, as we all know that no one else in the court was willing to do so.
ReplyDeleteI agree with AMurphy because Gawain was a timid guy. I also agree with the sense that he was also noble, because he showed that he was by taking the axe from Arthur. Yeah it really doesn't matter how big you are, because it didn't matter for Gawain.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jose Ontiveros and would point out that a person isn't a hero because he/she thinks "big" of themselves - a person is a hero based upon his or her actions. Sir Gawain's actions speak much louder than his words.
ReplyDeleteHanh-and all others who wrote that Gawain thought of himself as "the weakest"
ReplyDeleteBecause of how he acts throughout the rest of the story, I cannot believe that Gawain has such a low opinion of himself. I believe that this was his humble way of offering to take the Kings place without insulting Arthur's strength, honor or bravery. I think he was trying to show Arthur the folly of putting himself in such danger, and that someone of lesser importance to the world should do it instead.
I do not agree with KDPeters that Sir Gawain is a "momma’s boy". I think that Sir Gawain is a strong but gentle man.
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ReplyDeleteI disagree that Sir Gawain is a a “momma’s boy. He may not be the strongest knight but he did show strength and courage by agreeing to take Arthur's place. I believe that maybe he did want to prove himself to everyone but I also believe that what he did was a very noble thing. I believe Gawain's a courageous man with a good heart.
I disagree with KDPeters. I don't think anything in the text suggests that Sir Gawain is a "mommas boy". Even if he is the weaker of the knights, he is still a knight. They are trained to do as such and defend their king. They are also trained to think a certain way and act a certain way. Maybe sir Gawain did not want his king in this position. He did not know the Green Knight and didn't know whether or not he could be trusted.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Grace that Sir Gawain doesn't think little of himself, that he is just trying to be a gentlemen and not be boastful with his actions.
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