Gawain in Middle English and Middle High German. A Cross Linguistic Study of Nouns and Adjectives in Regard to Semantic Features

Table of Contents

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Method
• 2.1 Choice of Works
• 2.2 Choice of Word Classes
• 2.3 Collection of Data
• 2.4 Evaluation of Data
• 3. Summaries for Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Parzival
• 3.1 Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
• 3.2 Parzival
• 4. Gawain in Middle English
• 4.1 Overview of Expressions in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
• 4.2 Expressions Used by Gawain
• 4.3 Expressions Used by Other Characters
• 4.4 Expressions Used by the Narrator
• 5. Gawain in Middle High German
• 5.1 Overview of Expressions in Parzival
• 5.2 Expressions Used by Gawain
• 5.3 Expressions Used by Other Characters
• 5.4 Expressions Used by the Narrator
• 6. Discussion
• 6.1 Differences and Similarities in Both Works
• 6.2 Discussion of the Advantages of a Lexico-Semantic Analysis
• 7. Conclusion

Objectives and Key Themes

This bachelor thesis aims to analyze the depiction of Gawain in Middle English (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight) and Middle High German (Parzival), focusing on the nouns and adjectives used to characterize him. The study seeks to identify similarities and differences in how the two authors portray Gawain and explore potential reasons for their word choices. The analysis will also evaluate the effectiveness of a lexico-semantic approach in understanding characterization.

• Comparative analysis of Gawain's portrayal in Middle English and Middle High German literature.
• Lexico-semantic analysis of nouns and adjectives used to describe Gawain.
• Identification of similarities and differences in the depiction of Gawain across the two languages.
• Exploration of the linguistic choices made by the authors and their impact on characterization.
• Evaluation of the utility of a lexico-semantic approach for literary analysis.

Chapter Summaries

1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the context for the study by highlighting the enduring fascination with Arthurian legends, particularly the figure of Gawain. It contrasts the generally accepted perception of Gawain as the ideal Arthurian knight with the ambiguity surrounding other knights of the Round Table. The chapter then introduces the central research question: how does the depiction of Gawain differ between Middle English and Middle High German literature? It critiques existing scholarship on the topic, noting the lack of cross-linguistic comparative studies focusing on the lexico-semantic features of nouns and adjectives used to describe Gawain. This gap in the literature provides the rationale for the present study and outlines the methodology to be employed.

2. Method: This chapter details the methodology employed in the study. It explains the rationale for choosing *Sir Gawain and the Green Knight* and *Parzival* as the primary texts for analysis. The chapter justifies the focus on nouns and adjectives, outlining the criteria for data selection and collection. It further describes the process of evaluating the collected data to ensure methodological rigor and to establish a framework for comparative analysis. The chapter provides a comprehensive methodological foundation for the subsequent analyses.

3. Summaries for Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Parzival: This chapter presents concise summaries of the narratives of *Sir Gawain and the Green Knight* and *Parzival*, providing essential background for the later linguistic analysis. The summaries will highlight key plot points and character interactions relevant to Gawain's portrayal, providing a contextual basis for understanding the linguistic choices made by the authors in describing the character.

4. Gawain in Middle English: This chapter delves into the linguistic depiction of Gawain in *Sir Gawain and the Green Knight*. It examines how the Gawain-poet uses nouns and adjectives to characterize Gawain and how other characters refer to him. This section would analyze the linguistic choices related to Gawain's characterization, including an exploration of the nuances in meaning conveyed through the selected words. Further, it would examine the language used by the narrator to describe Gawain, looking for patterns or stylistic features that influence the reader's understanding of the character. This analysis will reveal subtle linguistic devices employed to shape Gawain's portrayal.

5. Gawain in Middle High German: This chapter mirrors the structure of Chapter 4, focusing on the depiction of Gawain in Wolfram von Eschenbach's *Parzival*. It systematically analyzes the nouns and adjectives used to characterize Gawain, including how he describes himself, how others refer to him, and how the narrator portrays him. This would include a detailed analysis of the specific linguistic choices made by Eschenbach, examining the impact of these choices on the overall characterization of Gawain and comparing this to the linguistic characterization presented in the Middle English text.

Keywords

Sir Gawain, Parzival, Middle English, Middle High German, Arthurian Legend, Lexico-semantic analysis, nouns, adjectives, characterization, comparative literature, cross-linguistic study.

Frequently Asked Questions: A Comparative Lexico-Semantic Analysis of Gawain in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Parzival

What is the main focus of this academic work?

This bachelor thesis conducts a comparative lexico-semantic analysis of the portrayal of Gawain in two prominent Arthurian works: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Middle English) and Parzival (Middle High German). The analysis centers on the nouns and adjectives used to describe Gawain, aiming to identify similarities and differences in his depiction across these two languages and literary traditions.

What specific aspects of Gawain's portrayal are analyzed?

The analysis focuses on how Gawain is characterized through the linguistic choices of the authors. This includes examining the nouns and adjectives used by Gawain himself, other characters, and the narrators in both texts. The goal is to understand how these word choices shape the reader's perception of Gawain and to uncover potential cultural or linguistic influences on his portrayal.

What is the methodology employed in this study?

The methodology involves a detailed lexico-semantic analysis of the selected texts. The process includes: choosing relevant works (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Parzival), selecting specific word classes (nouns and adjectives), collecting data on the descriptions of Gawain, and rigorously evaluating that data for a comparative analysis. The study provides a comprehensive breakdown of this methodology.

What are the key themes explored in the thesis?

Key themes include a comparative analysis of Gawain's portrayal in Middle English and Middle High German literature, a lexico-semantic analysis of the linguistic features used to describe him, identification of similarities and differences in his depiction across the two languages, exploration of the authors' linguistic choices and their impact on characterization, and evaluation of the lexico-semantic approach's effectiveness for literary analysis.

What texts are analyzed, and why?

The thesis analyzes Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Parzival. These texts are chosen because they offer significant and well-known portrayals of Gawain in their respective languages, allowing for a robust cross-linguistic comparison. The choice of nouns and adjectives allows for a detailed and focused examination of characterization.

What are the chapter summaries?

The thesis is structured as follows: Chapter 1 (Introduction) sets the context and research question; Chapter 2 (Method) details the methodology; Chapter 3 provides summaries of both Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Parzival; Chapters 4 and 5 analyze Gawain's depiction in Middle English and Middle High German respectively; Chapter 6 (Discussion) compares and contrasts the findings; and Chapter 7 (Conclusion) summarizes the key findings and contributions.

What are the key words associated with this research?

Keywords include: Sir Gawain, Parzival, Middle English, Middle High German, Arthurian Legend, Lexico-semantic analysis, nouns, adjectives, characterization, comparative literature, and cross-linguistic study.

What is the overall aim or objective of this thesis?

The overarching aim is to understand how the linguistic choices of the authors of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Parzival shape the depiction of Gawain and to explore potential differences in his portrayal arising from language and cultural context. It also aims to evaluate the efficacy of lexico-semantic analysis in literary studies.