Essay On Challenges In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

Throughout history and literature, often the most praised individuals are the ones that had to face and overcome adversity, in which they use their experiences as a stepping stone to help them better face challenges in their future. Sir Gawain, the protagonist of the medieval English poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight", and Daniel from the Old Testament in the Hebrew Scripture both encountered significant challenges in their quest to fulfill their vocation. Sir Gawain, a chivalrous knight, had his courage and loyalty tested through a series of challenges that he had brought onto himself, while Daniel was a Jewish captive who was forced to be an advisor to the Babylonian king, in which he endured hostility and persecution from those who were

After proving himself a worthy servant to the king through his helpfulness and insight, Daniel is still not spared from the king’s overbearing power. In chapter six, after Darius took over Babylon and Daniel was granted a very high position in the kingdom for being a faithful distinguished citizen with no faults or errors, the other high officials were jealous of him and plotted to attack him in the only manner available. This ambush on Daniel was to convince King Darius to sign an injunction that stated “...that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions” (Dan. 6.7), but this adversity did not withhold Daniel from his dedication to his faith because that was the type of integrity and excellent character that he was blessed with. When Darius was brought forth by Daniel for his failure to obey the injunction, Darius realized what he had done and tried everything he could to save Daniel, but the document was signed and could not be changed and the high officials ensured that his punishment was enforced. After Daniel was sealed away in the lions' den, Darius hastily returned to it that morning and asked if God was the one to deliver him from the lions, and Daniel responded to him saying “My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” (Dan. 6.22). This statement solidifies the understanding that Daniel was blessed and protected by God because of his obedience, selflessness, and unshaken faithfulness in God which granted him support and assistance in his pursuit of