Sir Gawain and the Green Knight :: Arthurian Legends English Literature Essays

Sir Gawain and the Green horseAn anonymous contemporaneous of Geoffrey Chaucer wrote Sir Gawain and the Green nickname in the 14th century. It was written in a Northern dialect and uses alliteration similar to the Anglo-Saxon form of poetry. alliteration is characterized by the repetition of consonants and a sharp rhyme at the finale of each section.The story begins as King Arthurs court celebrates the New family for fifteen days. The lords and ladies of the court are having a gr eat time leaping and feasting. The story describes the lavishly served feast with all the trimmings. Each guest is promiscuous to partake in the royal meal. However, King Arthur will not eat on such a high holiday until someone tells a fascinating or adventurous tale.LINK TO A DETAILED compendium OF THIS SEGMENT Suddenly, a giant man on a long horse rides into the hall. Both the imposing man and his horse are entirely green. He is, of course, the Green horse cavalry. Even his clothing is described in detail as entirely green. In one hand he holds a super ax and in the other he holds a holly bob. The Green Knight asks to see the leader of the crowd. King Arthur stands up and speaks to the Green Knight, obviously brainsick by the thought of the tales that this stranger will tell. The Knight offers a scrap to anyone brave enough to consent it. The Green Knight will have his opposite word to strike his make out with the large ax that he holds. The opponent must travel to the Green Knights castle in one class to accept a similar blow in return. When none of the knights volunteer, Arthur rises to accept the Green Knights challenge. Sir Gawain, the youngest of King Arthurs knights, asks to be allowed to stand in for his king. The Green Knight doesnt move or flinch as he offers his bare neck to Gawain. Gawain grabs the Green Knights ax firmly and chops off his head. The head falls to the estate and rolls past the feet of many of the people in the court. To the shock of everyone, the Green Knight gets up, grabs the head by the hair, and mounts his horse.