Compare and Contrast Sir Gawain from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight to The Redcrosse Knight From the Faerie Queene
Comparison/contrast writing:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/comparison.htm
Sir Gawain:
http://www.luminarium.org/medlit/gawain.htm
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/gawain/
Redcrosse Knight:
http://www.google.com/search?q=redcrosse+knight&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
To compare and contrast Sir Gawain from "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" to The Redcrosse Knight from "The Faerie Queene," there are several key aspects you can consider:
1. Heroic Qualities:
- Sir Gawain: He is portrayed as a noble and chivalrous knight, known for his loyalty, bravery, and courteousness. He goes on a dangerous quest and confronts various trials with determination.
- The Redcrosse Knight: He is an allegorical representation of the virtue of holiness. He exhibits traits such as faith, piety, and devotion to his quest to fight evil and defend the true faith.
2. Moral Strength and Temptation:
- Sir Gawain: He faces a test of his moral strength when the Green Knight challenges him to a beheading game. He shows integrity, but succumbs to temptation by accepting a magical girdle to protect himself.
- The Redcrosse Knight: He battles temptations and challenges on his journey, particularly when facing the seductive Duessa. He displays inner conflict but ultimately overcomes these temptations and reaffirms his commitment to holiness.
3. Romance and Love:
- Sir Gawain: While on his quest, Sir Gawain encounters the seductive Lady Bertilak, who tries to seduce him. He politely resists her advances, which reflects his commitment to loyalty and fidelity.
- The Redcrosse Knight: He falls in love with Una, a virtuous and beautiful lady he meets on his journey. His love for her becomes a source of motivation and a symbol of his devotion to holiness.
4. Symbolism and Allegory:
- Sir Gawain: The story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight uses symbolism to explore themes of chivalry, honor, and the nature of temptation. The Green Knight serves as a test of Sir Gawain's integrity and serves as a reminder of the inevitable mortality of all knights.
- The Redcrosse Knight: "The Faerie Queene" is an allegorical epic in which characters represent virtues or vices. The Redcrosse Knight represents the virtue of holiness and is constantly tested in his journey through the allegorical world.
To compare and contrast their journeys and character development further, you can analyze how they face hardships, the outcomes of their quests, and their overall significance within their respective stories.