Holy Grail Influence On History

Personally, when thinking of the middle Ages, I tend to have the misconception that it is a period of darkness with no progress. However, R.W. Southern’s book, ‘The Making of the Middle Ages’, offers an in depth study of the development of history in the world today. Observing that this book was published during the 1950s, Mr. Southern’s interpretation of the ‘Middle Ages’ was very distinctive in comparison to other historians of his time. He explores the significance of the Middle Ages as a separate sector in the study of history by which the audience will notice that previous categories of studied history is set aside, as we are no longer focusing on the usual ‘Classical Greece’ and ‘Rome’

 Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is one of the most intriguing Middle English chivalric romances known today. The poem is a delicately written balancing act between two cultures, clashing in a time of unease between the religion of tradition, (paganism) and the new religion, (Christianity). The poem is also one of the best known Arthurian tales, with its plot combining two types of folklore patterns, the beheading game and the exchange of winnings. The Green Knight is interpreted by many as a representation of the Green Man of folklore and by others as an allusion to Christ. The story is told in stanzas of alliterative verse, ending in a bob and wheel. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is an important poem in the Middle English romance genre, because it involves all the typical plot progression of a hero who goes on a quest to prove himself. Yet what sets Sir Gawain apart from heroes of lore is his inability to finish his quest. The aspect which makes Sir Gawain and the Green Knight different is Sir Gawain’s failure. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a perfect example of the struggle between enduring Paganism and newfound Christianity.

Thomas Malory’s “Le Morte d’Arthur,” and the Gawain Poet’s “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” are important works that should be considered when studying medieval literature. They both portray the style and structure of medieval romance. They also tackle the same topic of King Arthur and his knights, as well as share the same characters of King Arthur and Sir Gawain. In order to be able to go over these works and understand them, one must understand the aspects of literature of the time.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a religious allegory full of Christian symbolism with the central message of sin, forgiveness, and redemption. The poem is a great story of virtues, trust and honor. It's an Arthurian romance in which Sir Gawain carries a shield on his chest in his quest for Green Knight. Gawain's shield has two images, a picture of Virgin Mary on the inside and "Painted upon his shield is a five-pointed star (pentangle). He is a perfect knight who realizes that it is important to be a good Christian The image of Mary inside this shield conveys that Gawain never loses heart and the detailed description of the pentangle is a key for proper understanding of the poem's message.

In the world of medieval literature the supernatural is a consistent theme, presented in extraordinary encounters, mysterious experiences and with magical objects such as potions, spells, and the prominent image of the green girdle of Lord Bertilak de Hautdesert’s wife in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Magic and the supernatural is seen as the driving force behind several narratives and acts as a method by which we might judge human achievement against that of a species that appears to be greater than us, akin to

In this paper I will discuss the ideas, cultures, characteristics of the Middle Ages are referenced and how their presence interlocks in the work. Sir Gawain’s quest covers his obligation to have success on the test of becoming a Green Knight. This would help have return blow for the following Christmas. Because the Green Knight proposed a challenge, Gawain was required to follow the terms of the agreement. The journey to find the Green Knight is a sequence of temptations. He lodges at the Castle Bertilak, and completed bargains with his host. Gawain will exchange anything he gambles on with the Bertilak catches on the hunt.

The grail story is a unique story due to it being a story that has been around for such a long time and moving in and out of many cultures. Juliette Wood makes this clear in her paper “Visions of the Grail” in which she explains the development of the grail story. The origin of the grail story itself is believed to have originated out of traditional Celtic mythology. Wood sites a popular belief that “The Welsh tale of Peredur seemed to provide a transitional stage between an original Celtic myth and the Breton poets who inspired the French grail romances.” A story that comes from mythology is able to have an insane number of interpretations because mythology is based on many stories. For example, Greek mythology is

In search of the Green Knight, Gawain travels through the wilderness and comes to recognize his true subordination to nature and not merely social constructs. It is amidst his battling of vicious beasts, cold rain, wild forests and more, where he begins to feel the mortality of mankind and the need to pray to a greater being that “Mary may be his guide” (738). This prayer and recognition of a larger force beyond him leads directly to the discovery of the Palace of Bertilak de Hautdesert.

In contrast, the 14th century Arthurian romance, Sir Gawain glorifies and celebrates religious conventions. Gawains’ “eyes thither” upon the image of the Virgin Mary on his shield which assures “his courage never failed”. The religious emblem exemplifies the assistance of faith upon his journey. Many motifs and characters are preserved traits of genres such as Celtic myths and pagan cosmology. Throughout the Middle Ages, Christianity grew more dominant, and Arthurian material is particularly notable for its ties with the construction of the chivalric code.

The Holy Grail is the mystical cup that Christ used at the last supper and it is believed that it holds special powers. The Grail was considered to be a bowl or dish when first described by Chrétien de Troyes (Holy Grail – Crystalinks). Hélinand of Froidmont described the Grail as a "wide and deep saucer" (O’Neal 79). Other authors had their own ideas: Robert de Boron portrayed it as the vessel of the Last Supper; and Peredur had no Grail per se, presenting the hero instead with a platter containing his kinsman 's bloody, severed head (Holy Grail – Crystalinks). In Parzival, Wolfram von Eschenbach, citing the authority of a certain (probably fictional) Kyot the Provençal, claimed the Grail was a stone that fell from Heaven, and had been the sanctuary of the Neutral Angels who took neither side during Lucifer 's rebellion. The authors of the Vulgate Cycle used the Grail as a symbol of divine grace. Galahad, illegitimate son of Lancelot and Elaine, the world 's greatest knight and the Grail Bearer at the castle of Corbenic, is destined to achieve the Grail, his spiritual purity making him a greater warrior than even his illustrious father. Galahad and the interpretation of the Grail involving him were picked up in the 15th century by Sir Thomas Malory in Le Morte d 'Arthur, and remain popular today.

An abundance of the literary world’s best and most engaging poems or stories took place during the very fictional reign of King Arthur and the knights of the Round Table, who most famously, resided in Camelot. The poem, “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”, written during the medieval period, is without a doubt one of the best fictional stories to ever come from this era. I found it especially interesting that both Christianity and Paganism intertwine during this heroic story. This encourages whoever is reading it to have a contrasting mindset because the story has not only Christian elements, but many pagan themes as well; it makes you wonder what type of story this really is. Many people speculate, however, whether the Gawain author could

The history of the modern world derives from thousands of years of human history. Embedded in its history are the many eras of man which have constructed our modern learning, art, beliefs, and order. The middle ages, although represented as “dark”, backwards, and idle, were in fact a bridge linking the classical and modern world. Medieval society may not have been in a sense glorious, but the era of itself was a prime foundation of the modern world’s newfound stability, a revival of the law and teachings from the classical era, a reinvestment and reform in the church, and a precursor to the golden age of art.

When first arriving at the Medieval Movie night, I didn’t know what to expect. Many times, when watching a movie that is tied very closely with history, details are made up or negated in order to appeal to a wider audience and to make the movie more exciting. However, I was pleasantly surprised that “The Sorceress” was for the most part, very true to the historical context and background that we gained from the various readings, discussions, and lectures from our class. In other words, the movie got more details right than wrong.

Can you truly believe in something you are not sure even exists? Religion has proven that countless times, even though some would argue that there is solid proof of a larger force at work in the universe. It is almost embarrassing how easily we fall for lies because of their extravagance. The Holy Grail is one such lie that did not only spark an interest in people’s minds, but it formed a culture of itself within the Catholic culture, which was composed of scholars and average people who dedicated their lives to be the ones to find it. The title of “The Holy Grail” is attributed to two different ideas, one being a physical object and the other being a dark secret suppressed by the Catholic Church, but both are equally fictitious.

In Umberto Eco’s “Dreaming of the Medieval Ages”, he writes about the renewed interest in Medieval Europe throughout the past and its relevance in the present. Eco explains how there is a disconnect between the reality of what the Middle Ages truly were and our fantasied idea of it. He explains how the obsession with Medieval Europe never left, and instead has transformed through the imagination of European and American culture. Eco supports these claims by relying on his own observations of how today’s societies reference back to Medieval themes through books and film. One example he writes compares the rediscovery of the Middle Ages to the return of classical antiquity, and how we do not alter those original ideas of classical antiquity like