British Literature Essay Macbeth vs. Sir Gawain and the...

There have been thousands of British Literature books, stories, epics, and poems written throughout history. All of the stories are unique, much like their authors, and even their surrounding history. Macbeth is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare in 1604; Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was written in the 1300’s by an unknown author. The following essay is going to compare and contrast the two stories mentioned above based on historical setting, cultural context, literary styles, and the aesthetic principles of the period in which they were written. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight were written in the late 14th century (1300’s) in Northwestern England. During this time, King Arthur was in reign. The story imitates ideology of English Chivalry and how chivalry works in the knighthood, as well as King Arthur’s court. Macbeth was written nearly after King James of Scotland took the English throne. The English didn’t know much about the Scottish, which brought them into the limelight. During his reign, there was a large amount of political and religious conflict, and the danger of the possible regicide. This historical background could have inspired Shakespeare while writing Macbeth, seeing that the story does contain what seems to be regicide. Although both pieces are somewhat political in nature, they were not intended to change the views of their readers, but to express their own thoughts and opinions on the matter. In Sir Gawain, the concept of chivalry originates from