Gawain was seen as the perfect Arthurian knight and this image of him can be found in the works of Middle High German writers as well as Middle English ones. But is Gawain depicted in exactly the same way in those two cultures or do the authors focus on different aspects of his personality? Where are the differences and similarities in the nouns and adjectives used to describe the protagonist? Do some expressions only occur for a distinct user, like the narrator? And additionally, are there nouns and adjectives which only appear before or after a certain event? In order to find an answer to this question, "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" by the Gawain-Poet and "Parzival" by Wolfram von Eschenbach were analyzed.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Method
2.1 Choice of Works
2.2 Choice of Word Classes
2.3 Collection of Data
2.4 Evaluation of Data
3. Summaries for Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Parzival
3.1 Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
3.2 Parzival
4. Gawain in Middle English
4.1 Overview of Expressions in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
4.2 Expressions Used by Gawain
4.3 Expressions Used by Other Characters
4.4 Expressions Used by the Narrator
5. Gawain in Middle High German
5.1 Overview of Expressions in Parzival
5.2 Expressions Used by Gawain
5.3 Expressions Used by Other Characters
5.4 Expressions Used by the Narrator
6. Discussion
6.1 Differences and Similarities in Both Works
6.2 Discussion of the Advantages of a Lexico-Semantic Analysis
7. Conclusion
Research Goals and Themes
This thesis investigates how the character of Gawain is depicted in Middle English and Middle High German literature by analyzing the nouns and attributive adjectives used to characterize him. The primary goal is to determine differences and similarities in his portrayal and to evaluate whether a lexico-semantic analysis provides deeper insights into his characterization in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Wolfram von Eschenbach's Parzival.
- Comparative analysis of Middle English and Middle High German Arthurian literature.
- Investigation of nouns and adjectives as semantic markers for characterization.
- Examination of self-perception versus external perception of Gawain.
- The influence of the narrator versus minor characters on the hero's image.
- Assessment of lexico-semantic methodology in literary studies.
Excerpt from the Book
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 ȝe 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.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: Presents the research question regarding the depiction of Gawain in Middle English and Middle High German literature and outlines the scope of the study.
2. Method: Details the criteria for selecting the works and the methodological approach for collecting and evaluating nouns and adjectives.
3. Summaries for Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Parzival: Provides essential plot context for both works to facilitate a better understanding of the character analysis.
4. Gawain in Middle English: Analyzes the semantic features assigned to Gawain in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by the narrator, the hero himself, and other characters.
5. Gawain in Middle High German: Examines the linguistic characterization of Gawain in Wolfram von Eschenbach's Parzival, exploring his roles and how he is perceived by others.
6. Discussion: Compares the findings from both texts and evaluates the effectiveness of a lexico-semantic analysis for literary characterization.
7. Conclusion: Summarizes the major differences in Gawain's portrayal, particularly regarding his self-perception and cultural focus, and suggests avenues for further research.
Key Words
Gawain, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Parzival, Middle English, Middle High German, Lexico-semantic analysis, Arthurian literature, Semantic features, Knight, Characterization, Nouns, Adjectives, Self-perception, Medieval literature, Comparative studies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this research?
The work focuses on a comparative lexico-semantic analysis of the Arthurian character Gawain in two distinct linguistic and cultural contexts: the Middle English Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and the Middle High German Parzival.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
Key areas include the linguistic manifestation of nobility, warrior status, kinship, and the contrast between the hero's self-perception and his perception by the narrator and other characters.
What is the primary research question?
The study asks whether Gawain is depicted consistently across different cultures and whether specific nouns and adjectives reveal variations in his characterization, such as his self-downgrading or his role as a warrior.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The thesis utilizes a corpus-based lexico-semantic approach, identifying nouns, adjectives, and appositions, assigning them semantic features, and calculating their distribution to observe patterns in the portrayal of Gawain.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body breaks down the terminology used by the narrator, Gawain himself, and secondary characters, and then performs a comparative analysis of these results between the two works.
Which keywords define this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as Arthurian literature, semantic analysis, characterization, knightly virtues, and comparative linguistics.
How does Gawain's self-perception differ in the two works?
In the Middle English text, Gawain tends to understate his qualities and emphasizes his weaknesses, whereas the Middle High German Gawain displays greater confidence and self-awareness regarding his abilities.
What role does the narrator play in the characterization?
The narrator acts as a primary shaper of Gawain's ideal status, often countering the self-deprecating remarks of the hero or the accusations of minor characters to maintain the image of the noble knight.
- Quote paper
- Bettina Breitenberger (Author), 2014, Gawain in Middle English and Middle High German. A Cross Linguistic Study of Nouns and Adjectives in Regard to Semantic Features, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/283107
