Amanda Covert

Mr. August

Honors English 12

10/21/22

Entry one: Mystery and Fantasy

In the story, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight '' the author uses the Romance quality of

Mystery and Fantasy to build on the complex characterization of the Green Knight because he

challenges Gawain in front of the people of the court. The mystery aspect of the Green Knight is

apparent in the story because he is a nine-foot tall, green person that is mysteriously summoned

after King Author claimed he had the best knights in the kingdom. The Green Knight welcomes

himself in the hall and doesn’t want to fight against King Author’s knights, but wants to

challenge them to see if they live up to their noble knight name. The fact that the Green Knight

is a huge person who has lots of power and doesn’t want to take over the Author’s kingdom and

can do so, makes the Green knight a complex character because he isn’t the typical villain who

wants to rule the world and only cares about themselves. The Fantasy aspect of the Green

Knight develops his character because it shapes the way Gawain feels about his doomed future.

After Gawain has “overcome” the Green Knight's challenge, Gawain feels a sense of relief,

however that is disturbed when the severed head of the Green Knight talks and the body picks up

his head and says “ I will see you in one year”. This event creates the sense that the Green

Knight is immune to death and complicates his character even more. Overall, the quality of
mystery and romance develops the Greens Knight’s character because there is more to him than

meets the eye from the beginning to the end of the story.

Entry two: fighting ➡️spontaneous and sometimes violent

In the story, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight '' the author uses the Romance quality of

spontaneous fighting and violence to build on the complex characterization of Gawain because

he has resistance when challenging the Green Knight because it happens without notice. The

Green Knight comes to challenge the kingdom on a random day and Gawain spontaneously

agrees to the challenge. Gawain felt that he was the weakest warrior compared to the other

knights in the kingdom, so he decided to sacrifice himself. When Gawain chopped the Green

Knight’s head off blood came bursting out and it was a gruesome site. Another violent battle

appeared when Gawain had to face the fact that he was going to die and pay for failing the Green

Knight's challenge. Little did Gawain know that he was a pawn in the Green Knight's game and

was being watched the whole time after the Green Knight had “won” the challenge. Before the

night of Gawain's punishment, he was given three animal heads; a deer, a boar, and a fox.

During Gawain's punishment, he is scared and isn’t prepared to get his head chopped off, so he

flinches. The second time Gawain is brave and is ready to die, but the Green Knight doesn’t do

away with him. The third time Gawain gets a gentle slice from the ax on his neck. These

moments build Gawain's character because the Green Knight's sudden battle proves to Gawain

that he is worthy to be a great knight and gives him the confidence to fight for the citizens in the

kingdom.
Entry 3: Hero is isolated and alone/ no groups

In the story, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight '' the author uses the Romance quality of

an isolated hero and builds on the complex characterization of Gawain because the journey he

goes on proves that he can defeat the Green Knight and have confidence in himself. At the

beginning of the challenge, Gawain has no self-confidence and feels that he is the weakest

warrior. When Gwain fails the challenge he feels fearful that he let down King Author and isn’t

worthy enough to be a knight. Gawain has to journey alone and find the Green Chapel, where he

will face his death against the Green Knight. To Gawain’s surprise, the Green Knight didn’t kill

him but taught him to believe in himself. When Gawain returns home he is so pleased with

himself. If Gawain didn’t go alone he wouldn’t have felt as victorious when he won because he

would have seen himself as the obstacle in the way of defeating the Green Knight. Gawain’s

character was developed from a fearful boy to a brave warrior ready to face any new challenges

coming his way because he was isolated from others telling him he wasn’t good enough.