Gawain as the Epitome of Arthurian Knighthood: Lexico-Semantic Differences in the Depiction of Gawain in Middle English and Middle High German
(Sprache: Englisch)
Gawain was often seen as the perfect Arthurian knight in Middle English and Middle High German literature and yet, the way he is perceived differs in both cultures. While a lot of research literature approaches the topic from a literary angle, this book...
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Gawain was often seen as the perfect Arthurian knight in Middle English and Middle High German literature and yet, the way he is perceived differs in both cultures. While a lot of research literature approaches the topic from a literary angle, this book reveals the differences in the depiction of the hero from a linguistic point of view. The semantic features of nouns and adjectives used to describe the protagonist in "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" by the Gawain-Poet and "Parzival" by Wolfram von Eschenbach are analyzed and discussed.It is investigated whether the authors focus on different aspects of Gawain's personality. Furthermore, the question arises if some expressions only occur for a distinct user like the hero, the narrator or minor characters and whether there are expressions linked to a certain event in the story. The findings of this study will thus offer further insights into the characterization of Gawain.
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Textprobe:Chapter 4.2 Expressions Used by Gawain:
When the Green Knight enters Arthur's court and asks for someone to challenge him in a Christmas game, no one volunteers and the king is so embarrassed that he offers to strike the blow demanded himself. It is Gawain then, who decides to stand in Arthur's place and reasons it with: I am þe wakkest, I wot, and of wyt feblest,/ [ ] Bot for as much as e ar myn em I am only to prayse [emphasis mine] (SGGK, 10) 'I know, I am the weakest and have the weakest mind. I am only praised because you are my uncle.' He stresses both his physical and mental lack of strength and argues that the only reason for being regarded as a respectable person is due to his kinship with Arthur. The way the narrator describes Gawain, however, is totally different: Gawan watz for gode knawen, and as golde pured,/Voyded of vche vylany, wyth vertuez ennourned/in mote (SGGK, 18) 'Gawain was known to be good and to be like purified gold, free from all imperfection, equipped with values in heart'. This is not a description suitable for any ordinary Knight of the Round Table but an outstanding member. Yet, the hero does not regard himself as such a man but sees himself as quite the contrary. Being told otherwise, he even actively refuses to accept the ascribed features, as the following example shows.
When Bertilak's wife tells him Þat alle þe worlde worchipez quere-so e ride;/Your honour, your hendelayk is hendely praysed/ With lordez, wyth ladyes, with alle þat lyf bere. (SGGK, 34) 'that the whole world worships you wherever you ride; your honor, your courtliness are nobly praised by the lords, the ladies and everyone who lives there', he vehemently denies being the man she talks about and even adds: To reche to such reuerence as e reherce here/I am wy e vnworþy [emphasis mine] (SGGK, 35) ('I am unworthy to receive such respect as you describe here'). Again, the image Gawain has of himself is strangely at odds with the way others perceive him.
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Regarding the nouns he uses to refer to himself, he also seems to have no interest in stressing his nobility and takes a rather neutral stance towards his social status.
In contrast to the previous examples, the protagonist nevertheless uses a positively connoted adjective as well. When Gawain reaches the Green Chapel and finds no one there, he shouts: Who sti tlez in þis sted me steuen to holde?/For now is gode Gawayn goande ry t here. [emphasis mine] (SGGK, 62) 'Who rules this place to hold a meeting with me? Because now, good Gawain has come right here'. It can be doubted that Gawain mentioned the adjective because he actually regards himself as being good and wants to add this aspect when introducing himself. Gode is also not used to distinct himself from another, probably bad, Gawain, as his name alone is enough to make unmistakably clear who he is (cp. SGGK, 11). Moreover, the Green Knight expects only one person called Gawain to show up at the chapel that day. Therefore, gode is when regarded as an official enhancement of his name superfluous in this scene. When translating Gawain's words, Barron encountered the same problem and chose to change it to Gawain, true to his word (1994: 149). While it is very well possible that gode is meant in that way, it would mean a rather ironic twist for the protagonist's character. Though Gawain might be good in the sense of 'keeping his word', he is nevertheless cheating in a game that was meant to be equal for both participants: he is wearing the green girdle in order to protect himself from death. Accordingly, Gawain would use his excellent reputation to knowingly cover his unfair action. Judging from how downcast and ashamed he is, when the Green Knight reveals to him that he got only cut because of his cheating, it seems rather unlikely that Gawain wanted to put special emphasis on how good he is while knowing he actually is not. That is why it is argued here that gode is not used in the sense suggested b
In contrast to the previous examples, the protagonist nevertheless uses a positively connoted adjective as well. When Gawain reaches the Green Chapel and finds no one there, he shouts: Who sti tlez in þis sted me steuen to holde?/For now is gode Gawayn goande ry t here. [emphasis mine] (SGGK, 62) 'Who rules this place to hold a meeting with me? Because now, good Gawain has come right here'. It can be doubted that Gawain mentioned the adjective because he actually regards himself as being good and wants to add this aspect when introducing himself. Gode is also not used to distinct himself from another, probably bad, Gawain, as his name alone is enough to make unmistakably clear who he is (cp. SGGK, 11). Moreover, the Green Knight expects only one person called Gawain to show up at the chapel that day. Therefore, gode is when regarded as an official enhancement of his name superfluous in this scene. When translating Gawain's words, Barron encountered the same problem and chose to change it to Gawain, true to his word (1994: 149). While it is very well possible that gode is meant in that way, it would mean a rather ironic twist for the protagonist's character. Though Gawain might be good in the sense of 'keeping his word', he is nevertheless cheating in a game that was meant to be equal for both participants: he is wearing the green girdle in order to protect himself from death. Accordingly, Gawain would use his excellent reputation to knowingly cover his unfair action. Judging from how downcast and ashamed he is, when the Green Knight reveals to him that he got only cut because of his cheating, it seems rather unlikely that Gawain wanted to put special emphasis on how good he is while knowing he actually is not. That is why it is argued here that gode is not used in the sense suggested b
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Bibliographische Angaben
- Autor: Bettina Breitenberger
- 2015, Erstauflage, 84 Seiten, Masse: 15,5 x 22 cm, Kartoniert (TB), Englisch
- Verlag: Anchor Academic Publishing
- ISBN-10: 3954893614
- ISBN-13: 9783954893614
Sprache:
Englisch
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