Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Analysis (Essay Example)

This poem, which is centuries old, is eerie, bold, and turbulent. This story has left an uneasy feeling in the surrounding land as Sir Gawain, prince of the land, thought his life was going to end. During a season of symbolic warmth, joy, and abundant happiness, on Christmas day a monstrosity breaks within the story of what Sir Gawain and the Green Knight are soon to attend to. The intriguing parts of this journey of temptation and bravery that we will break down are the pieces that lead up to the meaningful sash, the bizarre beheading, and the true knight honor which is shown so much throughout Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. While examining these parts of the story, we will see that Gawain’s focus on staying true to knightly ideals creates an overall feeling of chastity and Gawain as a hero.

Sir Gawain was given a challenge, an insane challenge, one that left him along with everyone else in anxious suspense. Gawain left for the adventure in the dark alone where he was on the search for The Green Chapel, where he would be encountered with the Green Knight for his beheading. On his search Gawain runs into a castle on his search, he was welcomed in by a new character we developed by the name of Sir Bertilak. Gawain stays in his castle for the next three days. In these three days, Gawain will be tested for his truth as a knight, as he becomes close with Lady Bertilak who attempts to entertain Sir Gawain on the three days he is there along with an item that he trades with Sir Bertilak. At the end of each day Sir Bertilak and Sir Gawain

Punjwani 1

 trade what they receive. The Knight refuses to make love to the Lady so they trade kisses for all except the last day, on the last day before Gawain leaves for his journey he receives a sash which the lady claimed would protect him from all evil. Although Bertilak and Gawain are supposed to trade, Gawain was dishonest for his safety. This sash was shown visually in the story although it had no true significance, just an additional test for the “brave” knight. I found it interesting how Gawain gave up living his worth as a knight for his safety in the chance of becoming an outcast.

On day three, Gawain was ready to make his way to The Green Chapel with the sash he was led there on his truthful bases. Sir Gawain walked up and had one last choice, either to be a coward and bow out or enter as the brave night King Arthur had claimed. As most would have fled, Sir Gawain entered with his head up high and his heart thumping through his chest. His vow of chastity has taken the control of his nerves. Open the door to this knight who is very put together and extremely handsome. The knight is astonished that Gawain appeared in front of him. As the knight was fully prepared to behead Gawain, he took three different attempts. In attempt one Gawain flinches out of the way; in attempt two the knight pulls back himself or some would say he missed; on the last attempt, the knight nicked the back of his neck. Despite these terrifying experiences, Sir Gawain strives to stay true to the courage that knights should display. He ultimately learns that the real test, the test for honesty and truthfulness, was back at the castle.

The duty of a knight is anything and everything but easy or simple, and these tasks bring tests not only for their bodies but their brains and hearts. Sir Gawain was put to a test, more so put through an experiment, he was taught a lesson. The Green Knight revealed his true identity, Sir Bertilak, The housemaster with the biggest bushiest red beard left hysterical by how he passed his test in flying colors. It was revealed that the woman, Lady Bertilak, was a test of

Punjwani 2

temptation; Sir Gawain stayed humble even though he was offered to participate in adultery with no true label of crime attached, he chose his worth. The test of trading was the test of truth, he was dishonest one time so he was nicked. It is arguable if Sir Gawain is truly brave due to the use of the supposed almighty and powerful sash. The biggest test of his truth was when he showed up at the chapel. I feel that in the book and documentary it is not portrayed how big of a deal this is. Sir Gawain was told his life is going to end and he put the reputation of King Arthur before his own life. They took an oath, one that's breakable, but Gawain is a knight who shows nothing but his chastity and dedication. This was my favorite part because not only does it take hard work but it takes true guts and the ability to perform like Gawain.

This rollercoaster of a poem which not only was a test of faith to the round table but a test of religion and humility. I feel we learned that there is a price to live the truth but there's an even bigger price to pay to live a lie. Sir Gawain showed that chastity is more than a state of mind it is an act of doing. We broke down how the sash was a prop to have the truest colors in a person shine, how attempting challenges has rewards, and how the way to live your best life is through honor and trust for yourself.