21 The Story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
“Ever faithful in five things, each in fivefold manner, Gawain was reputed good and, like gold well refined, He was devoid of all villainy, every virtue displaying In the field. Thus this Pentangle new He carried on coat and shield, As man of troth most true And knightly name annealed.”
Reflection
I am Sir Gawain. I am young and determined. My uncle is king: King Arthur of Camelot. I fight in his stead. I accept the challenge, and take hold of the axe - I am willing and ready to play this eerie Christmas game. I swing and my swing is sure. The head of the giant knight falls to the ground - it is over _ I think - how odd. And then - he is speaking - still breathing - and reminding me of my appointment with him at the Green Chapel - in a year and a day - there to accept my fate - Honest - - and blameless - and brave - trustworthy and sure - tempted but not swayed - only to my life I cling - hoping to save -
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight:
Retold by Mrs. Beasley
New Year’s Eve in Camelot, King Arthur and court are celebrating the Christmas season with a Christmas feast. Suddenly, without warning, the doors of the hall swing open and a giant appears upon his horse, the two glowing green. He holds an axe in one hand and a sprig of holly in another. He wants no battle but challenges the court to play a game to celebrate the season. The rules, he makes clear: one in the court is to strike him once with the axe he carries, and in a year and a day, he will return the blow at the Green Chapel.
After a long silence, the king moves to accept the challenge, but Sir Gawain takes it in his stead. The giant bares his neck, and Gawain beheads him in one stroke. Surprising to all, the Green Knight simply picks up his head, remounts and leaves with the reminder: Gawain will meet with him in a year and a day at the Green Chapel to end the game.
As the year cycles around, and the new year is near, Sir Gawain begins his quest to find the Green Chapel and the Green Knight. He meets with many challenges. Travel-weary and worn, he stops at a beautiful castle and explains his quest to the lord, Bertilak de Hautdesert, and his lady who reside there. They know all about the Green Chapel. They tell him of a path that will take him to the Green Chapel and reassure him that it is only a few miles away. They then suggest that he stay with them and rest until his appointed date. Gawain agrees.
Here, as he awaits his day to meet with the Green Knight, the lord of the castle also challenges Gawain to a game. The rules, he will give Gawain whatever he gains on his daily hunts, and Gawain will give him whatever he gains during the day. Gawain accepts.
As soon as the lord leaves, the lady of the house visits Gawain in his bedchamber. Though she is very beautiful and clearly wants him, he resists her seductive ways and only allows her a kiss on the cheek. As soon as the lord returns, he gives Gawain his kill, and Gawain returns the gift with a friendly kiss on the cheek.
On the second day, the same events happen, only the kill is different, and there are two kisses.
On the third day, after the lord leaves for the hunt, his lady again makes her moves on Sir Gawain. He again resists her seductive charms. She offers him a ring of gold. He says no to that too. She then asks him to at least accept her sash of green and gold. She tells him that it is magical and will keep him safe from harm. At this, he is tempted. Envisioning the axe and what it will do to his bared neck, Gawain accepts the sash, and they exchange three friendly kisses. At the lady’s request, Gawain vows to keep the gift of the sash a secret. At the close of the day, the lord returns with another kill, which he exchanges for three kisses. Gawin says nothing of the sash.
The following day, Gawain prepares to meet with the Green Knight who challenged King Arthur’s court the year before. He ties the sash around his waist, says goodbye to his kind hosts who again point out the path he is to follow, mounts his steed, and begins the last leg of his quest.
Soon he comes to a clearing and upon a green earthen mound, the Green Knight is waiting for him, massive axe in hand. Gawain kneels before the knight and bares his neck passively. The giant swings, and at the motion, Sir Gawain cowers. The Green Knight scolds him for his lack of bravery.
The knight swings again, and Gawain does not move. He has accepted his fate and is meeting with it bravely. Still the knight does not strike him. He laughs and says that he is only testing Gawain's mettle.
“Deliver you blow.” Gawain says boldly to the Green Knight. And the knight does so with all of his might. The axe scrapes Gawain’s neck, wounding him so very slightly. Amazed that he still has life, he stands. He takes his sword and shield preparing to fight. However, he finds the knight to be laughing.
Then, the Green Knight transforms. He is the lord of the castle where Gawain had rested, Bertilak de Hautdesert. He had been charmed and transformed by Morgan le Fay who wanted to play a game on her half brother, King Arthur, and his court.
The lord goes on to explain to Gawain that the only reason he was harmed at all by the axe is because he failed to give his gift of the sash to the lord. Lowering his head, Gawain regrets not being honest. The lord laughs and proclaims, “Sir Gawain, you are the most blameless knight in all the land.”
Wearing the green and gold sash of his shame, Gawain returns to Camelot. He tells his tale, and is admired by the other knights of the Round Table. From then on, each knight puts on a green sash to honor Gawain and his chivalrous ways, but also as a reminder to always be honest.
Always tell the truth
Following the Journey of the Hero: Sir Gawain
A Nobel Birth into an Ordinary World
How is the hero's lineage mythically established?
nephew to the king
Separation
The Call to Adventure
What calls the hero to take action?
He feels moved to take up the challenge to protect his uncle, the king
The Refusal of the Call
Why is this hero not following his heart fully as the story begins?
Again - this is not in the story
The Mentor and Supernatural Aid
Only the words of the magical giant who is beheaded but then lives to direct help to push Sir Gawain out of the ordinary - into the extraordinary -
Initiation
Helper/Mentor/Follower
The lord and lady of the castle provide Sir Gawain a place of rest - and show him the final track of his trek
The Road of Challenges and Temptations
The story says there are many challenges that the knight overcomes along the way both physical and mental
Revelation - Death and Rebirth
How is the hero reborn?
The Green Knight is killed and returns to life - and in the end - Sir Gawain surrenders to death - and survives the blow of the axe
Return
Atonement
What atonement is made?
Sir Gawain only receives a slight cut from the full force of the charmed axe - in relation to the fact that he was not fully honest with his host - who turned out to be the Green Knight himself.
The Gift/ Reward
He gifts the court of King Arthur with a story and a reminder to always be honest - the green sash is worn thereafter as a token to Sir Gawain and as a reminder to always tell the truth
And so the hero passed from the ordinary into the extraordinary and back again - home. But in the return, changed, transformed. And, bearing gifts for the community.
Questions
What important aspects of life are highlighted in this story?
Other than entertainment, what purpose could this story have?
How are you like this particular hero?
Blessings
Thank you for joining me today! I hope you have a beautiful day! Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you. Peace for now, and remember, stay CHARMED ~