Name : Annisa Hapsari Asrun

NPM : 2306271003
Individual Journal Reflection Writing

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight & The Knight’s Tale
Week 2 - Medieval English Literature & Culture

Comparing the values in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and one story of your choice from the
Canterbury Tales with those reflected in Beowulf
In my opinion, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and The Knight's Tale are two interesting
stories because they highlight different themes in the context of life and values in the Medieval
period.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight places emphasis on the value of loyalty as the main theme.
The story depicts how Sir Gawain is tested on his loyalty to King Arthur and the code of chivalry.
Despite being faced with temptation, he strives to remain true to his principles, reflecting
traditional knightly values such as courage, honesty, and justice. I was amazed by Sir Gawain's
loyalty and integrity of character in the face of the trials he faced, as well as his willingness to
admit fault and seek forgiveness when he made mistakes. The scene when Sir Gawain is tested
by the Green Knight is a key example of the theme of loyalty. Sir Gawain agrees to receive a
payback blow from the Green Knight after injuring him earlier, demonstrating his loyalty and
courage to fulfil his promise and code of chivalry. and when Sir Gawain faces temptation from
the Lady of the Castle in the chamber, he rejects the temptation in favour of staying true to his
code of ethics, even if it means risking danger and humiliation. On the other hand, The Knight's
Tale explores the themes of love and romance in the context of the competition between the
knights for the heart of a lady, Emily. It highlights aspects of romantic and social life in medieval
times so I also agree what Charissa told earlier in the Google Meet then. I was intrigued by how
the story demonstrates the role of fate and destiny in people's lives, as well as how the knights
are faced with challenges and choices dictated by their fate. Although these themes are different
from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, both provide valuable insights into the prevailing values
and norms of the time, as well as how humans sought to confront and understand their destiny.
On the other hand, The Knight's Tale explores the themes of love and romance in the context
of the competition between knights for the heart of a lady, Emily. It highlights aspects of
romantic and social life in medieval times. I was intrigued by how the story shows the role of
fate and destiny in people's lives, as well as how the knights are faced with challenges and choices
determined by their fate. Although these themes are different from Sir Gawain and the Green
Knight, both provide valuable insights into the prevailing values and norms of the time, as well
as how humans sought to confront and understand their destiny. I notice that the scene where
two knights, Arcite and Palamon, compete for Emily's heart proves my point above. Also, the
battle between Arcite and Palamon in the arena is another example of the themes of competition
and bravery in the search for honour and glory.