Explain how Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is an example of medieval romance. Describe at least two different ways that this work fits.

Medieval Romances typically exhibit the following
characteristics:

-Arthurian tales which deal with the
quests and challenges of Arthur and his knights.

-Tells a
story of a single knight and a single quest.

-The story
exists within the constraints similar to a fairy-tale.

-The
story contains elements of courtly love- Courtly love is the relationship between a
knight and his lord's lady. The knight is required to love and respect the lady within
the same way which he loves and respects his lord. The love the knight holds for the
lady is fueled by his desire to please her and, therefore, to be worthy of her love
and/or to win her favor.

-Typically, the knight must face
the challenge of maintaining a balance between chivalry and
love.

Based upon these characteristics, Sir
Gawain and the Green Knight contains many of the elements to be considered a
Medieval Romance.

First, the story deals with one knight,
Sir Gawain, and a single quest. Gawain promises to meet the Green Knight one year from
their initial meeting to receive a blow from the Green Knight in exchange for the one
Gawain gave to him.

Second, the story contains elements
which includes fairy-tale like aspects. The Green Knight is mystical. The fact that he
was able to lose his head and stay alive alludes to a supernatural element seen in
typical fairy-tales.

Third, the story contains elements of
courtly love. Gawain must show both Lady Bertalik and Guinevere courtly love. As charged
by his position as a knight to Arthur, Gawain must show Guinevere love and respect. In
the same way, given Gawain is sheltered at Bertalik's, he must show Lady Bertalik the
same kind of respect and love.

Lastly, Gawain greatest
challenge is finding a balance between chilvarly and romantic love for Lady
Bertalik.