著者

菊池 玲子

出版者

群馬県立女子大学

雑誌

群馬県立女子大学紀要 (ISSN:02859432)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.1, pp.1-8, 1981-03-31

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Once a world of romances was an ideal in real life. But it was denied to exist by active social situations. The goal of chivalry was so aesthetic and so fantastic that persons who were fond of its illusions gave a refuge to it in the domains of literature to complete the ideal world. The Arthurian legends which had derived from old English tradition were growing throughout the mediaeval times by degrees, and became one of the most popular materials in romances. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a poem which belongs to Arthurian literature. Romances tend to be stereotyped, because themes are narrow. There needs more than a mere fancy for a romance to live long as a genre of literature, In this poem it is the existence of the Green Knight, I think. Although a real hero for whom the author intended is Gawain and certainly he is a highly talented warrior as a member of the Knights of the Round Table, I consider that the Green Knight is more heroic than Gawain. Because the Green Knight is just a creation who is an embodiment of romantic spirit.