Camelot The Archetypal Environment Essays - Cephalophores

Camelot: The Archetypal Environment In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the setting plays an integral role in the meaning of the poem. The three settings are all inseparable from the events which take place there and the manner in which Gawain is affected by the inhabitants. Camelot, Lord Bertilak's castle and the Green Chapel and their characters are considerably distinct from each other, each affecting and appealing to Gawain in a particular way. Because of its many positive qualities and familiarity, ultimately, the most attractive and appealing setting is Camelot. Lord Bertilak's castle has several positive aspects but is not the most appealing because most of these elements are deceptive and potentially dangerous. Although the castle appears magically, it seems realistic because it is "most comely that ever a king possessed," (42) and, much like other ornately decorated wealthy mansions, "there were curtains of costly silk" (45). The citizens and knights are "many worthy men" (45) and Gawain is given the designation that "most welcome he was of all guests in the / world" (47). The castle appears to be the ideal place to serve as a knight for the lord is at "his life at the prime," (45) and the lady "more lovely than Guinevere" (48). The people enjoy gay dancing and "so a wondrous wake they held," (50) that the days in the enchanting castle are pure bliss. Yet, exhibited by the omission of the Feast of the Holy Innocents, there is much deception to this seemingly perfect castle. The members of the castle do sit and give respect according to a certain hierarchy; but, at the high seat next to the Lady and Lord, sits a pudgy, hideous woman who is directing this mysterious setting. Although Morgan le Fay makes the castle seem welcoming and ideal, Gawain's stay there will be marred by a test. Lady Bertilak's determined pursuit to win his love is not an invitation to courtly love but rather a trial of his chastity and chivalry. Her boldness in inviting Gawain to seduce her is an inappropriate gesture which can only lead to danger. The castle, however lavish and traditional it seems, is a magical entity which is used as an instrument to test the twenty- five fold perfection of Gawain. Ultimately, Gawain leaves Lord Bertilak's castle no longer able to wear the pentangle which epitomizes the perfection and completion of a genuine knight, but leaves wearing the girdle. This seemingly helpful and life-preserving cloth is rather a symbol for the portion of the test he fails. Although Lord Bertilak's castle appears to be even more welcoming than classical Camelot, it is far too mystical and is hardly the most appealing. Regardless of how appealing the Green Chapel may seem, it represents a threatening and intimidating place for Gawain. The Green Chapel is a setting of nature's beauty and richness. The grass and herbs are lush and the protected chapel is surrounded by life nurturing water. The wild beauty of the forest and randomness of the surrounding area is unquestionably pure and innocent. The Green Knight is welcoming and greets Gawain with "may God keep thee!" (88). Although there is no defined hierarchy, the Green Knight is straightforward about the beheading game and how it should be played. It is apparent that although there are clear rules at the Green Chapel, the visitor's perspective easily affects the way in which the setting is interpreted. Gawain comes to the Green Chapel to offer his beloved life as part of a game. Consequently, Gawain sees only the green which shows "devotions in the Devil's fashions," (87) and the hot, bubbling water is flowing by nothing more than a "cleft in an old crag" (86). The Green Chapel is a place of mysticism but lacks the deception and obvious magic of Bertilak's castle. For this reason, regardless of the Green Knight's friendliness and fairness, he seems threatening and overbearing. His build and gaiety are not admired as are Lord Bertilak's. The form in which the Green Knight appears as Bertilak is festive and harmless, but in this setting, the same physique makes Gawain feel vulnerable and pessimistic. It is in the Green Chapel where Gawain must face the consequences of his actions. Although he is admired by the forgiving and generous Green Knight, Gawain holds steadfast to the fact that he has failed the test entirely due to his minor imperfection. Even though the Green Chapel is a lush and wildly beautiful environment, it can easily be portrayed as

Ballot or the Bullet Essay on Malcolm Xs Speech Essays

Ballot or the Bullet Essay on Malcolm Xs Speech Essays Ballot or the Bullet Essay on Malcolm Xs Speech Essay Ballot or the Bullet Essay on Malcolm Xs Speech Essay Colin Ransom English 12A Ms. Davis The Ballot or The Bullet-Malcolm X -Malcolm’s primary audiences were mainly African Americans. He addressed the whites and the white news media, because he felt that they played a very key and significant role in his discussion of the Ballot or the Bullet. He spoke of the whites in such an uncompromising fashion because he felt that the whites were to blame, of the oppression and struggle in the black community. Malcolm also had a very intriguing way of getting the listeners attention with his select speech and vernacular. By not flattering the audience Malcolm displayed that he was a very serious man and had no time for games in this particular discussion. He defined grounds of disagreement because he viewed the whites as the leaders of trouble in the black community. He did not agree on any decision made by the whites in the black community because he knew there was crooked and evil moral behind it that the common black man could not recognize. Malcolm was a very honest and veracious person, and because he strived to better his people in the African-American community he knew his straight forwardness and honesty had to be presented in order for them to receive the message thoroughly. They applauded him because they were all there to learn, to grown and begin on this new journey of Black Nationalism that Malcolm displayed, so when he made comments on their character that they all intended to destroy it gave them a sense of pride and joy to know someone was behind them. Malcolm knew he was a target by not only the whites, but also the world. Having a gun in his possession would only lead to more trouble his way. Malcolm preached that you shall not start any kind of trouble with the law or anyone, but if it was brought upon you, then do not turn the other cheek, but fight back for your rights as a human being. So having a gun only showed that you were looking for trouble and he in fact wasn’t. Like before Malcolm knew better than to actually start any trouble or retaliation against anyone that hadn’t directly attack him. So by outburst starting retaliation would not show he was a man of composure and strategy in his doings. Malcolm was sincere in that he never held his tongue for no one. He always told the truth in whatever it was he was doing.

Gun Laws Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Gun Laws - Research Paper Example It is also argued that the right to own guns has become a detriment to the safety of society which is in opposition to the intentions of the Founders. â€Å"Responsible gun owners† tell me that guns and bullets should be stored separately so that children in the house will not have access to firearms. How will this scenario help during a home invasion? The truth is gun owners stay locked and loaded. This is why guns kill many more children (75 to 1) than who (criminals) they were intended. (Kopel, 1993) The Second Amendment states â€Å"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed† (â€Å"The Constitution†, 2006). This, as were all of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, was added by the Founding Fathers so as to provide a more clear definition of the specific rights guaranteed to Americans. Obviously, the right to own arms was of supreme importance to the Founders given that it was listed second only after the freedom of religion and speech was documented in the First Amendment. The Founders knew that by ensuring the right to own arms, citizens would have the ability to protect themselves from that which might endanger their life, liberty or pursuit of happiness. This could include bodily protection from persons and animals or from an oppressive government that threatened the freedoms outlined in the Constitution. â€Å"The Second Amendment reflects the found ers’ belief that an armed citizenry, called the ‘general militia’ was a necessary precaution against tyranny by our own government and its army. Those who advocate gun control consider the Second Amendment to be â€Å"obsolete; or is intended solely to guard against suppression of state militias by the central government and therefore restricted in scope by that intent; or does not guarantee a right that is absolute, but one that can be limited by reasonable requirements† (Krouse, 2002).