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hi i wanted to ask you to crit my History of literature essay, so if you have time and will to do it, i will be glad to know your opinion after.
Any clues how to improve it/what would you change - very welcome
ps. i didn't really devote much enough time to this work, it was just a day before deadline and i had completely no motivation to do it
so here it goes:

The medieval ideal knight as depicted in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (based on extensive extracts)

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight tale, written by unknown writer somewhere in late 14th century, tells about affair between King's Arthur knight, sir Gawain and the Green Knight. It is a classic example of chivalric romance, with lady-knight advances theme included.
Sir Gawain owns the chivalric knight's virtues, such as – most important – honour and loyalty, but also courage, faith, justice etc.

When the Green Knight first appears at Lancelot Castle - where New Year is being celebrated - and looks for a knight to call for a contest, Sir Gawain asks for an allowance to compete Green Knight. Rules are simple, Gawain's task is to chop off his oponent's head, and let The Green Knight do same thing in twelve months and a day, at his castle. Later, at the day of Gawain's departure, we get detailed picture of his armor. On the front of his red shield there is an endless pentagle 'painted with pure golden huess', symbolising his strong faith among many other values. On the inside of his shield, there is Saint Mary's image, what shall let him never loose his heart. He is all in bright, shining like a star, perfect looking. All this has a meaning, gives us a picture of a man pure.
'For Sir Gawain was known as a knight both good and true and faithful in five and many times five, and pure as gold, and void of all villany was he, and adorned with virtues
in the mote,
For the pentangle new
He bears in shield and coat,
And is a knight most true
And gentle man, I wot.'

As Alexander The Great called his horse Bucephallus, Gawain entitles his precious horse companion Gringolet. His horse is equipped with great golden armor. Indeed, the knight's horse is treated with a great care, for it is a companion for life and death, the only friend on a battlefield, it must be paid it's respects, and it must be clear this is his horse, his comrade.
'By that time his horse, Gringolet, was geared and girt with a saddle, that gleamed full gaily with many golden fringes everywhere newly nailed and enriched for the business he had in hand. The horse's bridle was striped across and across, and bound with bright gold. The trappings of the horse's neck and of the proud skirts, the crupper and the covering, accorded with the saddle, and were all bordered in rich red gold nails.'

Sir Gawain, as a chivalric knight, has a particular, or should i even say extraordinary way of dealing with women. When he is already at Bercilak's castle, enjoying the stay, he meets various women and we can clearly see how much he cares and respects them.
'Now when Gawain glanced towards that gay lady, who looked so graciously, he took leave of the lord and went towards the ladies. He hailed the ancient one, and inclined himself full humbly. The lovelier of the two he took a little in his arms and kissed her in comely fashion, and addressed her courteously. They returned his greeting, and right soon he asked that he might be her servant.'
Here we come to the basis of chivalry. Knight's 'duty' is to make sure that lady of his heart is always well, he serves her and gathers happiness from her thankfulness.
'And therefore I pray thee, be not displeased, and cease from this business, for I can never consent to thy request, therefore
do not rue;
Dear debt to thee is mine
As thy courtesy's due,
And ever in fair and fine
I am thy servant true.'

Even Sir Gawain, who seem to be that perfect and pure, has his own moments of weakness. When Sir Gawain gets The Green Girdle from the Wife of Green Knight, he realises it might be his chance to save his own life. He is told, that The Green Girdle protects it's carrier from any harm. Gawain's temptation to use it when the payback moment comes is so strong, that he omits the fact of having it when asked for daily prizes by The Green Knight.
Later, this problem occurs with a cut on his neck, but it must be mentioned he realises how bad was his temptation, and that he denied it. This prooves his nobility.
'Now dost thou refuse this silk girdle,' said the lady, 'for simple it is in itself and of little worth it seems. But whoso knew the virtues that are knit therein, he would appraise it at greater price, peradventure. For whatsoever man is girded with this green lace while he has it secretly fastened about his body, there is no man under heaven that could hew him asunder. He could not be slain by any sleight or trick in the world.' Then the knight set himself to thinking, and it came into his heart that such a girdle would be a jewel in the jeopardy to which he was pledged in going to the Green Chapel to receive the deadly blow; and if he should slip and be in danger of death it would be a noble sleight of defence.'
'For in truth thou art wearing my weed in that same woven girdle which my wife gave to thee, as I wot well. And I know all about thy kisses and thy virtues also, and it was I myself who brought about the wooing of my wife. I sent her to assail thee, and I found thee to be the most faultless man on earth; as pearl is of more price than white pease, so is Gawain, in good faith, than all other gay knights. But, good sir, in this thou wast lacking a little in loyalty, not in any amorous working or wooing; but that thou didst love thy life the less I blame thee.'

Summarising, I wanted only to point some major differences between Sir Gawain, as an ideal – even impossible to achieve – model of knight, and Beowulf, just a noisy ersatz, who follows no higher values but honour. Of course we know Beowulf is strong, forged in the heat of battle warrior, who fears no one, faces greatest evil creatures, but his ideology is simple. He has no woman he'd be attached to, who he could serve. I believe values and virtues are important to care, and example of Sir Gawain is worth copy, not only being mighty knight.