Survey of Medieval Literature

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Written in the late fourteenth century, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, along with a few similar works, is attributed to a nameless poet who was most likely rewriting popular poems of chivalry from throughout Europe. The poem uses characters from Arthurian romance and elements from Celtic myth, Irish folklore, and French romance.

The first scene takes place at Camelot as King Arthur hosts a Christmas feast for his knights. The feast is interrupted by the entrance of the Green Knight, a handsome, elegant man, but completely green. His clothes, skin, hair, and horse--all green and covered in precious gems. He carries a huge ax, and challenges King Arthur and his knights. His challenge was simple: whoever wished may strike a single blow upon him, but the blow would be returned a year and a day later. Gawain rises to the challenge and takes the Green Knight's head off with a single swipe. Horrified, Gawain and other knights watch as the Green Knight picks up his head, tells Gawain to meet him in the Green Chapel, and mounts his horse to ride off.

For ten months Gawain awaits the time he must begin his search for the Green Chapel. He then takes his leave of Camelot, traveling alone. On Christmas Eve he prays to Mary to provide a place where he might hear the mass--a castle is revealed in the depths of the woods. He gains admission to the castle, where he finds hospitality and reverence as a knight of King Arthur. Honored by the presence of such an illustrious guest, the lord of the castle persuades Gawain to stay at the castle until New Year's.

The nights at the castle are filled with feasting and revelry. During the day, the lord hunts, but Gawain stays behind at the castle resting after his long journey. He is visited by the lady of the castle, however, who makes bold attempts to garner his interest. Gawain, caught by the laws of chivalry between the duty to his host and the duty to a noble lady, artfully dodges the lady's advances. At night, the lord returns to split his hunting prize with Gawain, for they had made an agreement to share any winnings from the day, and asks for his share of Gawain's. Gawain complies, courteously kissing the lord (as he was kissed by the lady), but refusing to reveal the name of his paramour.

This becomes the pattern at the castle--each day the lord returns with various hunting prizes to share, and Gawain gives him the kiss he received. One morning, however, the lady gives Gawain a girdle which she promised would not allow its wearer to be slain. Gawain, who at first refused any gifts she offered, decides to take the girdle. He doesn't tell the lord, however, for he fears his relationship with the lady would be discovered, and so violates their agreement.

The lord of the castle leads Gawain to the Green Chapel the next morning. He meets the Green Knight who strikes three blows at Gawain. The first two are misses. The third however, though rightly aimed and struck with full force, softly glances on Gawain's neck. The Green Knight then reveals himself as the lord of the castle, explaining that his wife's actions were directed by him to test the worthiness of Gawain. Gawain had passed two tests by honestly sharing his winnings--but he didn't share the girdle, and so broke the code of chivalry. The third hit was a punishment, and would have been fatal if not for the girdle.

Gawain is shamed by his actions, and confesses his motives and failings. The lord tells him that he is cleansed of fault by confession, and allows Gawain to keep the girdle as a token of respect. Gawain declines the lord's invitation to return to the castle, and instead travels to Camelot, where he shares the tale with King Arthur and his court, "his face flushed with shame" over his self-preserving lie.

The reactions to Gawain's misdeed are varied--while Gawain is fuming with shame, Bertilak (the Green Knight) laughs and tells him he's done penance by feeling a blow of the ax. King Arthur and his court greet Gawain's tale with laughter, and the king decrees that all will wear a green girdle, so that Gawain's "blemish" would not set him apart. It is interesting that others are so accepting of Gawain's actions--for it seems that he would be judged most by those who uphold the code of chivalry. The end of the story seems to make the case that all men are faulted, but that confession and punishment cleanse the soul of guilt.

The descriptions of the Green Knight and Gawain are very interesting--especially descriptions of their garments. The Green Knight is completely covered in Green, even his jewels shine a "greenish glow." Gawain, however, is clad in red silk and velvet, gold and gems. It would seem that the Green Knight represents immortality (green as the color of life) and man working in accordance with nature--he seems to spring directly from the earth. Gawain is resplendent in his beautiful armor, with its symbols of faithfulness and purity. His garments seem to represent a cultured warrior, schooled in courtly ways and religious doctrine. The poet condemns neither the Green Knight nor Gawain, though they represent such different ideals--perhaps he feels that each is valid.

The above image was taken from the Wikipedia entry of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight--it is a medieval illumination of the scene in Camelot after Gawain strikes off the head of the Green Knight. It can be found here.

posted by Ashley @ 9:49 PM