There have been many discussions, essays or psychological interpretations about the aristocratic romance of “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”, which was written at about 1400 by an unknown author. The romance embodies chivalric ideas of the English ruling class in the mid-fourteenth century. The central focus is set on Gawain, an honourable and courteous knight belonging to Arthur’s Round Table. In this essay I will show that Sir Gawain in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a character with many virtues and that his outer appearance stands in close relationship to his internal psychology. Every character is characerized through what he or she thinks about him or herself, how others think and feel about the character and through the actions of the character as well. Gawain is characterized through his armour which directly leads to his internal psychology. His actions are very characteristic for him and it is also very important what others think about him and how that differs from his own view of himself.
Table of Contents
- Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: External Descriptions and Internal Psychology
- Introduction: The Quest for Perfection
- Gawain's Pentangle: Symbol of Perfection or Flaw?
- The Five Virtues of Gawain
- Gawain's Trust in Christ and Mary
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay aims to analyze the relationship between Sir Gawain's external appearance, particularly his armor and the pentangle on his shield, and his internal psychology in the Arthurian romance "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight." The essay explores how Gawain's actions, his self-perception, and the perceptions of others contribute to his characterization.
- The symbolism of the pentangle on Gawain's shield and its relation to perfection and human fallibility
- The five virtues of Gawain: generosity, fellowship, purity, courtesy, and compassion
- The significance of Gawain's trust in Christ and Mary and how it relates to his strength and courage
- The influence of external descriptions on the reader's perception of Gawain's internal psychology
- The interplay between Gawain's actions, his own self-image, and the perspectives of others in shaping his character
Chapter Summaries
- Introduction: The Quest for Perfection: This chapter introduces the essay's focus on the relationship between Gawain's external descriptions and his internal psychology. It highlights Gawain's character as a knight who faces a personal struggle rather than a physical quest.
- Gawain's Pentangle: Symbol of Perfection or Flaw?: This chapter delves into the symbolism of the pentangle on Gawain's shield, analyzing how it represents both perfection and human fallibility. It discusses the contrasting interpretations of Solomon as a figure of both honor and imperfection, suggesting that Gawain, despite his virtues, is still human.
- The Five Virtues of Gawain: This chapter examines the five virtues symbolized by the pentangle: generosity, fellowship, purity, courtesy, and compassion. It connects these virtues to specific aspects of Gawain's character and actions, illustrating his adherence to chivalric ideals.
Keywords
This essay focuses on the medieval romance "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," analyzing the character of Sir Gawain through the lens of his external descriptions, particularly his armor and the pentangle on his shield, and their connection to his internal psychology. Key concepts explored include the symbolism of the pentangle, the five virtues of chivalry, Gawain's trust in Christ and Mary, and the role of external descriptions in shaping a character's inner world.
- Quote paper
- Bianca Stärk (Author), 2004, The inter-relationship between external descriptions and the internal psychology of "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/64259
