Introduction
Medieval literature reflects the cultural, religious, and social background that was dominant in that period. “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” is an example of a 14th-century chivalric novel (Anonymous). Sir Gawain was one of the renowned knights of the Round Table who served the legendary King Arthur and was the role model of hero’s behavior (Anonymous). It features the ideas and images vital to its author’s contemporaries. At the same time, it is possible to relate this Medieval text to the contemporary world due to the use of topics still relevant to most people, including love, courage, and spirituality.
Discussion
It is possible to understand the world from different perspectives that are equally critical for individuals. The personal, historical, spiritual, and social aspects determine the particular individual’s actions, and there are numerous relevant examples in “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.” The social element was essential in describing the heroic deeds of Sir Gawain. As the story’s protagonist, Sir Gawain overcame many trials connected with fighting Bercilak (Anonymous).
This example shows that the personal fight of Sir Gawain is an essential part of the narration, which allows us to assume that it is aimed at teaching his contemporaries about the courageous behavior of the knight. The example of the heroic conduct of Sir Gawain has a didactic function even in modern society because people who read this story learn how the true hero should act in critical situations. It is possible to find numerous examples from contemporary culture that describe a similar heroic story, where the protagonist has to overcome his weaknesses to become the hero. For instance, all popular superhero movies feature a similar narration technique, which shows that it is relevant to the modern audience.
Another vital characteristic is the personal perspective described in the text. The peculiar detail is that the Green Knight is a monster whose strength is exceptional, which emphasizes the heroism of Sir Gawain personally, making him unique. It is described in verses 421-426 that the protagonist can oppose the gigantic ax of the Green Knight (Anonymous). He manages to come to the Green Chapel, which is a long journey, as described in verses 726-732 (Anonymous).
Even after the Green Knight wounds him in the neck, the man still has the strength to stand up and fight (Anonymous). In other words, Sir Gawain was an example of the physical strength and courage considered fundamental characteristics of Medieval men. In addition, he was loyal to his king, served people, and was ready to sacrifice his life for their security. Even though not all modern people have these characteristics, there are still heroes in contemporary society. They usually have similar characteristics compared to Sir Gawain, which emphasizes the idea that the description of his personality is relevant to the modern world.
The spiritual component of the narration is connected with the love and recognition of Sir Gawain by the fair lady. The protagonist has to prove to the lady that he is worthy of his high status in society, and her affection for the knight is closely connected with his success as the hero. At the same time, their relationships are romanticized in “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,” which shows the importance of spirituality and the emotional side of life in Medieval society.
The lady wants to protect the knight and waits for him to win the monster and return to her (Anonymous). Love and relationships between men and women did not change much from that time, making the story’s spiritual side applicable to modern reality. Many females expect that their lover will be the hero, and they will inspire their men with exceptional actions. It is possible to assume that this perception of romantic relationships was created in the times when “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” was written, and this view on love remains the same nowadays.
The historical aspect of the Medieval novel is different from the contemporary reality, and most of the details cannot be applied to the modern days. For example, the story features the elements of magic that were part of the pagan culture that Christianity did not entirely substitute in 14th-century Europe. The author mentions Morgan le Fay, the witch from the Celtic folklore and the legends about King Arthur (Anonymous). In addition, Sir Gawain emphasizes that he serves King Arthur, reflecting feudalism and the Medieval period’s chivalric tradition (Anonymous). The contemporary historical context is utterly different from the Medieval one because there is no clash between religious worldviews like Christianity and paganism. In addition, modern people do not serve the king and the feudal faithfully, and the emphasis is on individual liberty that did not apply to the Medieval knight.
Conclusion
Even though Medieval literature reflects the historical context it describes, the topics that these literary pieces feature can relate to the contemporary world. The discussed text was written by the Anonymous author at the end of the 14th century, determining the choice of the images and topics discussed. It narrates the heroic story of the knight who services his king, who wants to gain the beautiful woman’s love and defeat the monster. These topics are relevant to the modern world from spiritual, personal, and social perspectives. The main difference is the distinct historical context that changed from the Medieval period.
Works Cited
Anonymous. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Poetry in Translation, 2017. Web.