Parallels in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Essay

There are many parallels that can be drawn from the three temptations and hunting scenes and the three blows exchanged by the Green Knight. All of these scenes are interlocked together in the way that Gawains quest is told and his trails he endures leading up to his meeting with the Green Knight to fulfill his promise made the year before. This all starts with the bargain that Bercilak makes with Sir Gawain. That whatever I win in the woods be yours, and any achievement you chance on here, you exchange for it (pg. 62). This is what sets the stage for the coming scenes of Bercilaks hunts in the woods, Gawains temptations by the Lady of Bercilak, and the three blows exchanged by the Green Knight. Unknown to Gawain is that†¦show more content†¦66). When Bercilak trades his spoils of the hunt Gawain trades all that he achieved that day, which was a kiss from the lady. He stars true to his values and therefore passes his first test of the three that he shall endure before his meeting with the Green Knight. On the Second day, Bercilak gives chase to the noble boar. The boar is characterized by being elusive, but will also strike back and attack when cornered. When he thrust through the hounds, hurling three to earth and speed on (pg. 75). This parallels the way Gawain acts when tempted by the Lady for the second time. Fore Gawain, while holding to his values, tries to gently rebuke the lady saying: sweet one, unsay that speech (pg. 77). But when she persists he tells her with more force that, But threateners are ill thought of and do not thrive in my country, nor do gifts thrive when given without good will (pg. 77). In this second attempt by the Lady, Gawain again remains true to his values. So when Bercilak exchanges the boar for the two kisses given by the Lady he passes the second of the three tests he is to endure. On the third day, Bercilak gives chase to the despised fox. The fox is characterized as being cunning and deceitful. This parallels the way that Gawain again, for the third time, resists the Ladys attempt to seduce him. She is determined to make him fall for her seduction. This is evident in that she comes to himShow MoreRelated Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: An Analysis of Parallel Scenes636 Words   |  3 PagesSir Gawain and the Green Knight: An Analysis of Parallel Scenes The anonymous author of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was supposedly the first to have originated the alternation of temptation and hunting scenes, which both contribute importantly to the effectiveness of the poem (Benson 57). The two narratives are obviously meant to be read as complementary. Therefore, the parallel juxtaposition of seemingly unrelated episodes is the basic characteristic of the narrative. The narrativeRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight906 Words   |  4 Pagesusually the latter. 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