The Talking Head

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by an unknown author is an example of a Medieval Romance. Gawain, the protagonist, possesses most of the characteristics that define a hero-knight of the Medieval period. He is courageous and open to challenges and adventures.

If we view this in a modern perspective, Sir Gawain can also be an ultimate epitome of male's traditional pride and ego. Since way back in time, men are always expected to be strong and not afraid of anything. If a man's manhood is challenged, he is very likely to act dramatically and do what he normally won't do to prove himself. I remember from last year's Macbeth, Lady Macbeth challenges Macbeth's manhood and successfully forces him into following her plan of killing the king. If Gawain is asked in a casual way whether or not he will chop someone's head off only to get himself killed, he will probably use his common sense to say no to such ridiculous and naive act. However, when it comes to challenge and dare, no man is willing to admit that he is not brave enough, that he is scared, not to mention that he is "the best of knights" and is challenged in front of the king.