Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a Middle English romance poem written by an anonymous West Midlands poet also credited with a lot of other poems written during that time. The protagonist, Sir Gawain, survives two tests: a challenge, which he alone without the assistance of King Arthur's knights accepts, to behead the fearsome GreenKnight and to let him retaliate a year later at the distant Green Chapel; and the temptation to commit adultery with the wife of Lord Bercilak--in reality the Green Knight--in whose castle he stays in en route to the chapel. This story is emblematic of life; how it issues tests and challenges and the consequences rendered as a result of failing or succeed ...view middle of the document...
It seems as if the prayers were what kept Gawain sane and focused on the purpose of his journey.Gawain's prayers were answered when he rode along and finally came upon a place that he could petition for possible rest. This castle would be the setting for Gawain's next test.The test builds as he feasts with the court and finds that a certain lady has an interest in knowing Gawain a little better. The lady is later to be known as the wife of Bercilak -aka-the Green Knight. This is shown as temptation. The lady tries to seduce Gawain while Betilak is away on a hunting excursion. Gawain resists every advance made by the lady except a kiss for which he mentions in confession. Gawain is given a sash by the lady which is said to protect the wearer from harm. Reluctantly he accepts the sash and does not tell Bercilak that he received this from the lady. He does this because he puts his trust in a material item instead of God to protect him from harm. This will prove to be one ofGawain's few downfalls in this story.Gawain sets out for the Chapel and finds the Green Knight there honing his ax.Gawain bending over for the blow is feinted by the knight. When this happens Gawain flinches and is chastised by the knight for doing so. The knight rai...
