Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Essay Topics & Samples

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a medieval poem with an exciting plot and many intriguing elements to explore. To write an essay about it, you first need to come up with a good topic. This page can help you find much-needed inspiration.

Here, you will find unique Sir Gawain and the Green Knight essay topics, thesis statement examples, and free samples.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Essay Topics

1. Language and Style in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
   Elaborate on the poem’s language. What peculiarities does the 14th-century northwest Midlands dialect of Middle English have? What are some most common stylistic devices the poet uses?
2. Elements of Romance in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
   You can write about the genre and explore the poem from this perspective. Try discussing three main elements of romance present in it: the quest, chivalry, and bravery. Why can we say that Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is an unusual poem for the genre?
3. The symbolism of color in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
   There are many significant colors in the poem. Discuss each one of them. You can also try to see what color green represents? In which ways, the readers interpret the color green?
4. A comparison of King Arthur’s and Lord Bertilak’s court.
   You can start by describing the castles. What are the main differences and similarities in the way the poet described and located the two? What about the wives? Describe what role is assigned to them in the poem and which one has more significance for the plot development? What codes or rules guide these two courts?
5. Christianity and Chivalry in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
   There is a very close correlation between chivalry and Christianity. What is the connection? You can examine Christian symbolism and values. Elaborate on chivalric idealism, as presented in the poem.
6. Treatment of women in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
   Undoubtedly, female characters in this poem play a critical role. Analyze each of the women in it and demonstrate their role in driving the plot. How are Lady Bertilak and Queen Guinevere being treated by others? What about Morgan le Faye?

7. Importance of the “beheading game” in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
   Can we say that the “beheading game” was fair? Give some other examples of such games from medieval literature. Can you elaborate on the theme of games, rules, and orders connected with the “beheading game?”
8. Image of Virgin Mary in the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
   Why do you think Sir Gawain chose Virgin Mary as his saint? What does the image of the Virgin Mary embody? Discuss how the Virgin Mary is connected to the pentangle.
9. A double meaning behind the pentangle symbol on Sir Gawain’s shield.
   A pentangle is a significant symbol in the poem. Why is it important to focus on its duplicity? Does it represent both magical elements and Christian beliefs? Is it a symbol of honor or disgrace? How does this symbol transform throughout the poem?
10. Compare the Green Knight and Lord Bertilak.
    Among other Sir Gawain and the Green Knight essay topics, this one requires thorough comparison. Focus on the differences and the similarities between the two central characters. Describe their physical appearance and their attitude towards chivalry. What forces drive their way of living?

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Thesis Statement Examples

Need help developing a thesis statement for your essay? Check out the examples below together with the corresponding topics:

1. Love and its forms in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
   Thesis statement: In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, love manifests in multiple ways through the protagonist’s relationships and struggles.
2. The Green Knight’s challenge as a test of knightly virtues.
   Thesis statement: The Green Knight’s challenge serves to evaluate Sir Gawain’s commitment to the chivalric code and virtues of a medieval knight.
3. What is the role of Biblical allusions in the poem?
   Thesis statement: Biblical references connect Christian imagery to the Arthurian realm, which starkly contrasts worldly ethics and divine principles.
4. The symbolism of animals in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
   Thesis statement: The animals in the medieval romance symbolize the virtues, vices, and moral choices the characters confront.
5. Celtic mythology and its impact on the poem.
   Thesis statement: The Celtic mythology woven into Sir Gawain and the Green Knight shows how the Arthurian legends connect with traditional folk tales.
6. The theme of betrayal in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
   Thesis statement: Sir Gawain’s quest involves both loyalty and betrayal, through which it’s possible to study medieval perspectives on integrity.
7. Gawain’s confession and the theme of redemption.
   Thesis statement: Gawain’s admission of wrongdoing and his atonement show his development as a character and underscores the importance of redemption within medieval morality.
8. Islamic influence on Middle English literature in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
   Thesis statement: The epic poem has subtle Islamic influences that reflect the cultural exchanges and their impact on medieval literary works.

9. Development of Sir Gawain’s character throughout the story.
   Thesis statement: Sir Gawain undergoes a profound change from an embodiment of chivalric ideals to a more complex, self-aware figure.
10. Analyze the artworks inspired by the epic poem.
    Thesis statement: Artworks like Christmas at Camelot by Clive Hicks-Jenkins and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by John Howe demonstrate how visual interpretations help improve understanding of the poem.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Essay Questions

1. Does the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight prize or criticize chivalry?
2. What is the role of soundscape in the epic poem?
3. How does the poem’s narrative reflect the specifics of the medieval mind?
4. Why do knights at Camelot regard Sir Gawain’s scar as the badge of honor?
5. What is the poetic effect of stanza-linking in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight?
6. How does the poem reveal the ontological structure of the medieval world?
7. How does the depiction of Christmas festivities in Camelot reflect the author’s vision of King Arthur and his courtiers?
8. What is the meaning of three different tests Sir Gawain is subjected to?
9. Do you consider Sir Gawain a flawed or a true hero?
10. How does the poem question absolutism, especially in religion?
11. What interpretations of the Green Knight are the most convincing?
12. How are nature and the supernatural connected in the poem?
13. How does the medieval romance address the themes of fate and free will?
14. What is the symbolic meaning of the Green Chapel?
15. How do the stylistic devices affect the reader’s perception of the poem?

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Argumentative Essay Topics

1. The portrayal of the English-Welsh relationship in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: cultural unity vs. division.
2. Honesty and deception: moral dilemma in the poem.
3. Give arguments why the Green Knight can be considered an agent of temporality.
4. Explain whether allusions in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight distort or enhance the poem.
5. The meaning of the girdle: the symbol of weakness vs. pragmatism.
6. Describe your views on the concepts of shame and guilt in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
7. Debate human agency as opposed to instincts in the poem.
8. Argue the significance of the three kisses in the medial romance.
9. Discuss whether the Green Knight is a mentor or adversary to Sir Gawain.
10. Provide arguments that prove dissolving the boundary between wildness and civility in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Essay Samples

Now that you’ve seen the possible topics for your Sir Gawain and the Green Knight essay, let’s consider some examples. Open the links below to examine the actual samples to understand how to write a paper on the poem.

1. The Courtesy in “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” Poem
   Courtesy is a virtue that was regularly illuminated in medieval literature. Not only knights but all the noble people had to display it to be considered honorable. In the essay, the author examines how this concept reveals itself in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
2. Medieval Art Characteristics
   To understand how Sir Gawain and the Green Knight differs from other examples of medieval romance, you should know the fundamental features of medieval literature. What influenced the poem? What common themes for the period it contains? See in the essay.
3. The Impact of Religion in Society
   Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is known for its religious allegories and symbols. Why did the author come up with these unusual for the period ideas? Find out what role religion played in medieval society from the essay to understand.
4. Heroism of Beowulf and Sir Gawain Comparison
   In literature, the ancient world was full of multiple gods and evil supernatural adversaries. However, normal people could also become heroes and legends. The characters Beowulf and Sir Gawain represent the true heroism and morality of the time. Check this essay and compare the virtues of these two heroes.
5. Women in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
   Curious about the role of women in the 14th century? Sir Gawain and the Green Knight’s author vividly displays their position in society and their influence on men. See this essay to learn some interesting facts about women in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
6. The Role of Colors in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
   Why would readers focus on the colors mentioned in the book? Sometimes they have a symbolic meaning that helps to understand the plot on a deeper level. Read the paper to explore the role of colors in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. See how the green, red, and gold colors influence the reader’s comprehension of the poem.
7. Antagonists in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
   The antagonists in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight impress the readers with the complexity of their personalities. Read the essay to learn how complicated and deceptive people’s images might be. Also, explore the significance of the “bad guys” in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
8. Sir Gawain Character Analysis
   Sir Gawain is one of the noblest characters of medieval literature. His strength, nobleness, bravery, determination of soul, and kindness of heart won’t leave any reader indifferent. Trying to explore the character of Sir Gawain in detail? Examine this essay.
9. King Arthur as Portrayed in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
   Writers tend to describe famous figures from different perspectives. Thus, literature helps to unveil their personalities from an unexpected angle. Read this essay and see how the author portrays King Arthur in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.