Archetypes In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight - 773 Words

Archetypes are utilized to analyze the common patterns of human nature in literature and major motion pictures. In the poem Sir Gawain and The Green Knight, Gawain accepts the challenge the Green Knight has to offer and goes on a quest to redeem the honor of Camelot. The Green Knight teaches Gawain a lesson which changes his values. A number of archetypal situations occur in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight that serve to promote Gawain’s moral development. The Green Knight makes his first appearance in Camelot during a grand feast. He calls upon the noblest knight to face him in a battle. Gawain accepts the â€Å"fateful region of both treasure and danger†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Campbell 53), which is the call to adventure, and the Green Knight is the herald that†¦show more content†¦And before his eyes a grand castle appeared; God helped saved Gawain from his near death experience by making the chapel appear, making God the supernatural aid. In astonishment, Gawain makes his way towards the castle to seek refuge and is greeted by a â€Å"...kindly countenance, who stood on the wall†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Weston 15). The kind man tells Sir Gawain that he can stay as long as he wishes, and Gawain crosses the first threshold; The drawbridge. As he entered the castle Gawain was showered with friendly greetings, fed, and given a place to sleep. The host asks Gawain, â€Å" ...what stern behest had driven him at the holy season from the kingâ₠¬â„¢s court, to fare all alone, ere yet the feast was ended?† (Winston 19). Gawain then explains his quest to find the Green Chapel and the Green Knight that owns it, so he can maintain the honor of Camelot. After telling the house of his adventure Gawain is given 4 days to stay in the grand castle. On the fourth day Sir Gawain will only need to travel two miles from the castle to find the Green Chapel. The 3 days before Gawain must exchange his earning of the day with the host. On the first day the host sets forth to hunt deer with his knights and Gawain stays in to rest. As Gawain laid resting on the bed the host’s wife walks in and he pretends to be asleep as she tries to talk to him. SheShow MoreRelatedArchetypes In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight829 Words   |  4 PagesArchetypes can be found in most literary work, especially in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight most characters or objects served to aid in the development of the hero by being either a situational, character, color, or a symbol archetype. The poem begins with a challenge being presented to the knights of the Round Table by the Green Knight. While seeing that no one else will accept the challenge, putting Camelot’s honor at stake, Gawain accepts and then realizesRead MoreArchetypes In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight1100 Words   |  5 PagesIn almost any story, whether novel or poem, lies a hero. 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