Sir Gawain and the Green Knight are foils to one another. The Green Knight, a supernatural creature, accepts the imperfections of humanity, while Sir Gawain, who lives the human experience, expects supernatural perfection from himself. For sir Gawain this may hardly be surprising, considering the reputation of King Arthur's court. The Green Knight himself has heard of its exemplary character; it is why he has come to test them: "And your court and your company are counted the best, / Stoutest under steel-gear on steeds to ride, / Worthiest of their works the wide worls over, / And peerless to prove in passage of arms, / And peerless to prove in passage of arms, / And courtesy here is carried to its height, / And so at this season I have sought you out" (207; 1.259 - 264). Gawain had a reputation to live up to, a reputation that did not allow for human weakness. The supernatural allowed for humanness, the human reached only for supernatural perfection.

The Green Knight demonstrated both the supernatural and the human wihtin himself. From the moment he enters the hall, he is seen as a supernatural creature - "Half a giant" in stature (205; 1.140), green in hue (205; 1.175), and incredibly strong. This strength is represented in his axe, with a head which measures from elbow to tip of the middle finger (American Heritage Dictionary 446.2), or about 18 inches, and made of steel, a stout stave for its handle (206; 1.214), and iron. With such construction, it had to be extremely heavy, yet he carried it into the hal himself and held it until relinquished to the king. Before he leaves, this fabulous creature will issue a challenge that ni human could expect to survive, have his head removed, yet pick it up, walk, talk, and leave the hall as alive and boisterous as when he entered. All this leaves no doubt of his supernatural nature.

And yet he demonstrates very human attitudes and behavior, most of them our worst. He is disrespectful and rides his steed into the hall, then speaks discourteously of the court and it's king. Arrogant and rude, he claims to come in peace, then insults the court and issues a deadly challenge (208; 1.265-300). when no one immediately jumps to accept, he insults themyet again (208-209; 1.308-322). By contrast, Gawain is a perfect example of chivalry and politeness. The only one who steps foreword, he manages the fine line of protecting his king without insulting him (209; 1.339-361). Courtly in speech and behavior, he does not even question the Green Knight's claim upon him a year and a day later for a return blow.

Gawain's virtues are listed as many and place him to near perfection, the very picture of a courtly and honorable knight (215; 2.634-639). his worthiness to wear the Pentangle which embossed his shield as a symbol of truth unending and unbroken was unquestioned. "And well may he wear it on his worthy arms, / For ever faithful five=fold in five-fold fashion / Was Gawain in good works, as gold unalloyed" (215; 2.631-633). He is found to be faultless (215; 2.40), kind and full of brotherly love, pure in mind and manners, and compassionate (215-216; 2.652-654). But above all he kept his word. Even though it meant his death, he kept his promise and went to find the Green Knight when he had sworn to do so. There was no question or doubt, just absolute integrity. Perhaps Gawain's only fault to this moment was his blindness.

When Gawain approached the castle, it is a vison to behold. It is also the perfect temptation for a tired, hungry knight. In the middle of cold winter, with snow deep upon the ground, this castle stands in eternal spring with "grounds fair and green, in a goodly park / With a palisade of palings planted about / For two miles and more, round many a fair tree" (218; 2.768-770). It shimmers and shines (218; 2.772) and has architecture that is a perfect example of a castle of the times (218-219; 2.785-802). Within he is received in perfect courtly grace, welcomed with a warmth usually reserved for the return of a lost son.

It is a temptation that Gawain succumbs to in only a minor way, for he still keeps his appointment with the Green Knight in mind. His resolve is put to the test by luxurious accommodations, good company, being well fed and the attentions of the lady. All is done in perfect chivalry. Nonetheless his one totally human "failing" is revealed during his stay: he values his life. Through two trials he keeps his word to the letter. On the third he yields to the trap, he is offered a belt which will keep him from all harm and, after mulling it over, accepts it. He is offered an opportunity to redeem himself, but fails to turn his "earnings" over to the lord of the castle as agreed. He shows his humanness in this one frailty, an instinct for survival that is stronger than all else in any man.

Thus he goes to brave the Green Knight not so pur in heart, not so perfect, but human. Once again the himan confronts or is confronted by the supernatural. The Green Knight is as before: big, bold, arrogant, boisterous, and with head reattached. Now his taunts have a finer point, for Gawain has been tested in his own wondrous castle and he knows Gawain's weakness: his valuw for his life. With Gawain kneeling before hime, he plays an even deeper game, drawing out the apprehension, and further insulting him by decalring any who could flinch under the blade could not be the Gawain of legendary renown (248-249; 4.2270-2272). Still Gawain stands to take his blow, refusing, as has before, to give in to the temptation. Anxious for his life, he faced up to that fear as best as he could as a man and a knight.

Finally al is revealed to Gawain. His imperfections so minor and understandable, the Green Knight claims him to be "polished as a pearl, as pure and as bright / As you had lived free of fault since you were first born" (251; 4.2393-2394). Yet that imperfection is all that Gawain can see. In all other things he has been chivalrous and courteous, and able to find that fine line line between refusal and insult and dishonor. This is an of itself is a task most men of any time would fail, but he manages it as if it were second nature. The Green Knight has seen Gawain's failings and still found him to be faithful. For to be concerned with one's own life is one of the most human of all of man's supposed failings.

The Green Knight accepts this as a part of man, nothing to be ashamed of, and perfectly natural. Gawain does not. His embarrassment is such that he is "gripped with grim rage" and his great heart shakes (251; 4.2371-2372). All his other successes crumble to dust in his eyes. He is an imperfect being, a mere man, who expects mythical perfection from himself with any flaw seen as total failure. the irony is that the Green Knight, his adversary and an extraordinary being, accepts flaws as part of the human condition and still finds Gawain a worthy man.


Works Cited
American Heritage Dictionar, Second College Edition. Boston Houghton Mifflin Co., 1982.


Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (1375-1400)
Author Unknown
The Norton Anthology: English Literature 6ed, Vol. 1
Essay written April 28, 1998
grade: A