Although Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is classified as a tale of romance, the reader doesn’t see this theme in the first three fitts. In the beginning of the story, a theme of respect and reputation is prominent. When the Green Knight is first introduced, he threatens King Arthur and his guests’ pride and credibility.
With this theme, the Green Knight acts in ways that shows little respect for the people he comes in contact with. For example, the Knight walks into King Arthur’s palace, without introduction, and immediately asks to speak to whoever is in charge. He then goes on his speech and insults the lords and the King by calling them too “puny” for him to want to fight in battle against. The Green Knight serves as a parallel in that his personality is very opposite when compared to the other characters in the story, especially Sir Gawain, who goes through the greatest lengths to defend his honor and pride. With this said, I wonder what other parallels are shown in the beginning of the poem, and whether they are opposites or similarities that are contrasted or compared throughout the poem.
Romance is unfortunately not a theme in this piece. A romance is a type of fiction read mainly back in the medieval time; a narrative tale based on legend, chivalric love and adventure. However, I do agree that the first three fitts focus on respect and reputation.
I also find it interesting to see the parallel you mentioned between the Green Knight and King Arthur and his guests. But rather than a parallel wouldn’t it be more of a juxtaposition? The Green Knight’s existence, brings out the chivalrous of King Arthur and his knights and make readers see it more clearly than if the Green Knight hadn’t existed and vice versa.
I’m also interested in the fact that the knight is green. When the Green Knight first appeared, the author described the Green Knight’s attire in great detail. Not only did the Green Knight wear the color green, he himself is green too; “The hair on his head was as green as his horse…plus a bushy green bread growing down to his breast…” (lines 180-182). Does the color green signify a bigger idea/theme or am I looking too much into it?
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is no where near a story built around romance. In fact, I believe its a story built on redemption for Sir Gawain. Think about it, his name is first in the title, so he has to be more important. Anyways, what fascinated me about the Green Knight is that the writer went to great lengths to describe his build, toughness and charisma yet he is a big bully. He is like what venom is to Spiderman, sure he looks cool but can if he can talk the talk can he walk the walk? I just find it fascinating how different the two characters and with all the talk of being a “knight” is the Green Knight noble enough to be one?