Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight utilizes the convention of the French-influenced romance. What sets this work apart from regular Arthurian or chivalric romances is the poet's departure from this convention. The clearest departure takes place at the resolution of the piece as the hero, Sir Gawain, is stricken with shame and remorse rather than modest knightly pride, even after facing what appears to be certain death and returning to his king alive and well. …

…When Gawain intervenes, it can be seen in two ways, that he is intervening with the courtly manner of a true knight of the Round Table, or with an implied criticism of Arthur for involving himself in such a challenge and on the court for letting this to take place. This brings about questions of the reputation of the Round Table and of the truth of the chivalric nature of the knights in the court.