Sir Gawain and King Lear (Coursework Sample)

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Question 2, What do you think the two texts that we have discussed during the second half of this course, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and King Lear ultimately teach readers and viewers? For example, we are frequently taught that great literature, especially those texts called classics, teach us something about ourselves. If that idea is correct, what do you think one of those two works can teach readers and why the author feels we need to learn those things?
The two texts Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and King Lear are classic examples of British literature. In addition, they are prime examples of how classical literature is interpreted to provide valuable life lessons today. Since the inception of literature authors and playwrights have always used their works to spread moral teachings. In addition, such plays and short stories have been used to spread ideologies and the like throughout history. As such this paper will explore how Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and King Lear utilize this concept. The two books are both derived from such assertions and provide lessons. It will illustrate what the two texts teach readers and what moral lessons can be deducted from reading or viewing them.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a classic example of the medieval romance genre. Fitting descriptions like celebration a war-like community, the depiction of courtly love, illustration of feudal nobility and attention to pageantry details are all part of medieval romanceCITATION JAB65 \p 46 \l 1033 (Burrow 46). Sir Gawain dedication and will to keep his pact with the Green Knight are a lesson we can learn. Upholding agreements with people despite the circumstances is important as it creates trust and breeds unity. In the same way Sir Gawain decision to not reveal to Bertilak his gift, the green girdle causes him to have guilt and eventually draws a little blood from the Green Knight's ax as a result. A lesson on being honest and truthful can be learned from this.
King Lear is a tragic story. The king’s daughters betray him while war is raging between England and France. One particular keen aspect is that the whole story is a lesson. All the characters involved in malicious activities against others die in the end. Edmund, Goneril, and Regan are all different conspirators of greed and all end up perishing in tragic circumstancesCITATION Har08 \p 149 \l 1033 (Bloom 149). While some good characters like Cordelia also die, it is clearly a lesson that evil deeds are bound to fail and can lead to tragic events like death. It is important to note that Cordelia did an act of evil by attacking her country; this might illustrate her character’s eventual death. According to her father she commits a crime by proclaiming her love as "according to my bond”, showing her love was not unconditionalCITATION Har08 \p 149 \l 1033 (Bloom 149).
Both texts offer lessons that can be applied today. When Edmund says "I grow; I prosper" it illustrates his character as a person and his eventual deathCITATION Har08 \p "150, 1.2.2-22" \l 1033 (Bloom 150, 1.2.2-22). He makes alliances through treachery and trickery. He gains what he wants but eventually loses it all. Readers can learn a lesson on using deceptive means to get what they want. Deception ultimately lea...