Comparative Analysis of Heroic Characters in “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” and “The Ramayana”
The medieval chivalry romance “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” and the Indian epic poem “The Ramayana” can be regarded in the lights of epic literature with a special emphasis on an adventurous achiever who performs a range of deeds in his strive for self-fulfillment. As far as both literary pieces are concerned, their protagonists can be interpreted as typical heroic characters, whose outstanding capacities distinguish them among others and let them aspire for further excellence. Thus, according to Richard Hamilton, Gawain’s story is the western medieval quest for perfection through overcoming the chaos of nature (Hamilton 122).
Likewise, in the vision of eastern researchers, the Indian hero Rama embodies “the ideal of perfect life” (Sundararajan 106). Although both Gawain and Rama are supposed to symbolically represent positive patterns of moral behavior, Rama is praised as an ideal and self-sufficient hero, whereas Gawain exemplifies ambivalent human flaws that symbolize the fail of a hero. The story about Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is set in the medieval genre of the chivalric romance. This literary piece is known to be a part of Arthurian late medieval stories based on recognizing and narrating courteous codex and values and praising both physical strength and moral virtues of knights. In particular, Sir Gawain is represented as Arthur’s youngest chevaliers who accepts a challenge from a mysterious visitor Green Knight. Importantly, the bet, proposed by enigmatic guest, requests a large amount of bravery as there is a perilous risk to be killed by an imposing axe. Since all the present knights are afraid to accept the challenge, Arthur as the king and the most courageous of all his men, is ready to confront the stranger.
Nonetheless, Gawain asks permission to proceed to the bet. Admittedly, although Gawain is the youngest participant of the feast in Camelot, he is ready to prove his courage and ambition. Thus, according to the medieval courteous codex, courage was considered to be the greatest virtue of a man. Therefore, from the very beginning of the romance, Gawain is represented as an idealized chevalier who knows no doubt or fear. On the other hand, Gawain’s age is very important. The point is that, as the youngest of all the knights, has yet to prove his audacity and fearlessness. In such a way, the Green Knight’s challenge is an excellent opportunity to turn his faraway trip into a brilliant evidence of his fortitude and durability. As a matter of fact, the concept of trip and ordeal can be regarded as counterpoints of the romance. These motives (i.e. trip and ordeal) are inseparably related throughout the romance. Thus, Gawain’s trip to the Green Chapel provides the actual context for effectuating his tasks. Moreover, the succeeding ordeals are coherently presented as a range of occurrences on his way to self-fulfillment. Importantly, Gawain is set in the situation of a trial and …
