10/1 Sir Gawain (#5b)

“Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” is one of the great lays that was given to us by the middle ages. The lay holds many honors, it is known for being responsible for the revival of alliteration and other fading poetic tools during this period. The tale also reveals much of what chivalry meant to a knight.

Games

In “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” games are used as the medium for explaining chivalrous values. The games are more than entertaining forms of competition ,but tools that help to evaluate Sir Gawain’s character. The games put Sir Gawain’s in a position of life and death. Here he is tested to keep his word and hold to his honor even if it cost him his life.

The author is able to reflect what in this eyes would have been a noble knight. Sir Gawain is not perfect, but has more honor than most.

Tests

Sir Gawain’s honor and word are tested. In the first game, Sir Gawain after a series of events must lower his head so that it may be willingly cut off. The knight passes this test saying “Strike once more;I shall neither flinch nor flee;” and he continues by saying “But if my head falls to the floor, There is no mending me!” (lines 2280-84). During the second test Sir Gawain does not fair so well. He is asked to trade what he receives each day with what ever his host receives. Sir Gawain was given a girdle that he thought may keep him from death. Gawain kept the girdle to himself not exchanging it with his host. Sir Gawain explains he kept it that he might “endure a deadly dint, and all defense denied” (lines 2041-42).

Sir Gawain’s life was spared from the first game because of his good faith. When it was discovered that Sir Gawain had failed the second game his host forgave him. The host knew Sir Gawain was only human and was still a great knight.