Essay Archive - Sir Gawain and The Green Knight
Sir Gawain and The Green Knight
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight utilizes the convention of the
French-influenced romance. What sets this work apart from regular Arthurian
or chivalric romances is the poet's departure from this convention. The
clearest departure takes place at the resolution of the piece as the hero,
Sir Gawain, is stricken with shame and remorse rather than modest knightly
pride, even after facing what appears to be certain death and returning to
his king alive and well. Although this manner of closure would leave much
to be desired for an audience who is interested in reading a ridigly
convention....
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