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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 4 page essay that contrasts and compares these two tales. The Middle Ages are generally not associated with humor, as the medieval era brings to mind in the public consciousness, the terror of the Black Plague, the Inquisition, and incessant warfare. However, two tales from the late thirteenth century, "Sir Gawain and the Greek Knight," author unknown, and "The Wife of Bath' Tale" by Geoffrey Chaucer offer modern readers insight into the worldview of this period and demonstrate the considerable humor and irony that characterizes medieval English society. No additional sources cited.
Page Count:
4 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khgagkwt.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
tales from the late thirteenth century, "Sir Gawain and the Greek Knight," author unknown, and "The Wife of Bath Tale" by Geoffrey Chaucer offer modern readers insight into the worldview
of this period and demonstrate the considerable humor and irony that characterizes medieval English society. "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" begin on New Years Day when a mysterious
knight, dressed in green, appears at King Arthurs court and challenges the assembly to strike him a blow with an ax, which he has brought as a gift. The Green
Knight relates that "praise" of King Arthur has "puffed up" the reputation of himself and his court to the point where he and his knights are "counted the best" (line
258)("Sir Gawain" 225). As this suggests, the point of the challenge is to deflate the overly-inflated pride of both Arthur and his court. This is ironic in itself in
that Arthurs court can be superlative and also indulge in the sin of pride. Much of the humor in "Sir Gawain" is macabre in nature. For example, after the Knight
takes Gawains blow, the body of the Knight does not fall, but rather finds his head, which "...he holds right up;/ Toward the first on the dais directs he the
face" (lines 444-445)("Sir Gawain" 229). The head then warns Gawain not to forget their agreement, which is that Gawain will submit to the Knights blow in one years time.
Medieval audience probably appreciated the bawdy nature of the exchange arranged between Gawain and Count Bertilak, who is the lord of a castle that gives him shelter on his journey
to meet the Green Knight. Bertilak gives Gawain his hunting kill for the day in exchange for whatever Gawain has managed to acquire by staying behind in the castle. As
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