Ben Myers Group B Blog Post 4: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Sir Gawain makes pact after pact, with little regard for possible dangers. Somehow, he never seriously violates any of these oaths, and they seem to help him. He didn't have to accept the Green Knight's challenge, but he thought it was the right thing to do under the circumstances that King Arthur created. He found it "unfitting" that Arthur "take on this trial"(Fitt 1, Lines 348, 350) because the King's possible "loss of life"(Fitt 1, Line 355) would be catastrophic, so he bravely volunteered. This pact is dangerous, but Gawain mentions loss of life as a possible outcome, which shows that he understands the risk, and still feels strongly about accepting.
While staying in a stranger's house, Sir Gawain swears to "serve" this man, "whatever" the man "instructs"(Fitt 2, Line 1089). Although this is a very kind offering, agreeing to do "whatever" someone asks seems unbelievably ignorant. However, Sir Gawain doesn't seem to have missed a beat, he is not being tricked, he clearly affirms that "within these walls," he is "servant to" this stranger's will"(Fitt 2, Line 1092). His host ends up treating him unbelievably well, which only occurs when a host has immense trust in their guest, and I believe that the host's trust in Gawain comes from Gawain's trust in him.
During his travels, Gawain partakes in games for fun, and his lack of suspicion frightens me, but it further demonstrates his trusting personality. Gawain agrees to "give" his host "what [he gains]" while the host is out hunting in return for "what [the host wins] in the woods"(Fitt 3, Lines 1106-11-7). He wins an enormous "haul"(Fitt 3, Line 1381) from the host's first hunt. Then, the host challenges Gawain again to the same deal. When someone loses significantly, if they challenge you to the same deal again, it means they know something you don't, but Gawain still accepts. The magnitude of Gawain's faith in others is so great that they do not trick him.
No matter how trusting he is, Sir Gawain demonstrates that he is not a yes-man by resisting the lady's extreme temptations.
Gawain gets where he is by being trusting and agreeable, but still reasonable. Since he is considered a model of righteousness and morality in this poem, it makes sense that these traits are emphasized.

Comments

  1. AnonymousNovember 4, 2018 at 2:31 PM

    I think your points about Gawain's behavior can be summarized as "spontaneity," and I think that is part of his character that makes him attractive towards readers. For example, partaking in games during travel and "serving" the stranger whose house he was staying at are spontaneous decisions that could have resulted in poor outcomes for Gawain. However, he played each situation well and was fortunate not be dealt any deadly requests. Gawain also does some evidently deliberate actions that give layers and further attractiveness to his character. Gawain's reasoning to accept the challenge instead of letting King Arthur possibly lose his life is not spontaneous, but rather well thought out response considering that at the time he planned on continuing to stay with King Arthur. Both the spontaneous and deliberate sides of Gawain's character should be analyzed to paint a whole picture.

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