A Hosts Hospitality Essay -- Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Essays

A Hosts HospitalityIn Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, an epic written in fourteenth century by a contemporary of Geoffrey Chaucer, we learn roughly a knight and his quest. Sir Gawain, sworn to seek the Green Knight as part of a deal, first finds himself in an enchanted and beautiful lumber and then ushered into a beautiful castle of Bercilak, its horde. Bercilaks court seems so bid Arthurs that it appears to offer Gawain a familiar refuge in alien territory. The methodicalness and beauty of the forest and the castle recall the civilized world of Arthurs court. Gawain is welcomed as warmly as if he has arrived at Camelot. The abundant hospitality and congenialness of the host and handmaids are clear in this scene, and they put Gawain at ease. First, the gatekeeper at Bercilaks castle assures Gawain that a noble knight such as he will not want for a welcome(SGGK l. 814). Next, the host welcomes him whole-heartedly and lays all that he owns at Gawains disposal. He also sends a s ervant to see to Gawains needs, makes sure he slips into something more comfortable, rests and eats. To...