Sir Gawain and The Green Knight

Essay by DanOSU214College, UndergraduateA, May 2004

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Sir Gawain and The Green Knight

Throughout Sir Gawain And The Green Knight there is a stark contrast between life within a castle and the world outside. In this poem life inside of a castle represents society, security, happiness and a closeness to God; while the world outside represents wilderness, danger, and vulnerability to evil. This binary is very significant in that it helps the reader to understand the lives and views held by medieval peoples.

In the poem Sir Gawain And The Green Knight the characters are safe and secure while they are inside there castles. This is true in both Camelot and Lord Bercilak's castle. While safe inside the walls of Camelot Gawain is very content. He and his brethren are totally at ease while they feast. The poet writes, "This king lay at Camelot at Christmastide; / Many good knights and gay his guests were there, / Arrayed of the round table rightful brothers, / With feasting and fellowship and carefree mirth."

(ln 37-35). This quote demonstrate the lack of fear displayed by the people while they are within their castle walls. The fact that Sir Gawain only wears his Armor outside of the two castles is a strong indicator that security is only felt while indoors. Wearing armor while riding outdoors is a way of maintaining a sense of security while away from the protection of a castle. Because the people are so joyous while inside and have to take extra precautions to feel safe while outside it is clear that security is found inside their castle.

A feeling of security is necessary for someone to be relaxed and joyous. So, the two feelings are strongly connected and therefore the presence of one usually indicates the presence of the other. In both Camelot and Lord...