Group A Post 11/4

In Fitt 4 of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Gawain's loyalty is showcased on multiple occasions. At the beginning when the guide offered Gawain a "way out" in exchange for not fighting the Green Knight, Gawain refused even under the threat that no one survives an encounter with the Green Knight. Even thought the guide ditched Gawain, probably fearing the Green Knight's reaction when Gawain finds him to challenge him to a battle, Gawain continued.
The second occasion of Gawain's loyalty being shown is when the Green Knight drops the axe towards his throat the second time. Although he flinched the first time, a natural human reaction to getting your head cut off, Gawain was true to the deal he made with the Green Knight a year before. Gawain knows that he does not have whatever power the Greeen Knight has that powered him to walk out of the room a year ago holding his head after having it cut off.  This being said, only being reminded about flinching once is loyalty as I would define "loyalty."
When the Green Knight reveals that he is the host of the castle where the Green Knight was staying, Gawain is surprised. The Green Knight reveals to Gawain that his challenge was a test and Gawain passed by finding the Green Knight to get his head cut off one year later.
I think the Green Knight's supernatural ability to survive without a head and Gawain's loyalty to the Green Knight's challenge might represent the loyalty of a Christian disciple to Jesus as explained in the Bible. Gawain, a witness to the Green Knight's (or God's) power, obeys his pledge to the Green Knight (visit him to get his head cut off), despite it causing him his death.

Comments

  1. Jordan SilversmithNovember 4, 2018 at 6:03 PM

    Your point about the basis of the Green Knight's challenge being in Christianity is an interesting one. One point that expands upon this is the fact that if Gawain is a "good Christian", he truly has nothing to fear from the Green Knight's test, as upon his death he will go to heaven. This would put Gawain's willingness to accept his fate in perspective.

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  2. Alison LillaNovember 5, 2018 at 7:30 AM

    This makes sense. In Fitt 2, Gawain is described by the 5 pointed star. There are a lot of allusions to Christ. And Gawain is considered one of the most infallible knights. The author likely wants us to believe Gawain is a saint or a modern disciple.

    I did get the vibe that Gawain was sacrificing himself for Arthur by taking this challenge, like Christ. Plus, there are a lot last dinners.

    But the big difference is that Gawain isn't Jesus, therefore he's mortal and he sins.

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  3. UnknownNovember 5, 2018 at 8:57 AM

    I agree with your analysis of Gawain's loyalty but the one detail from the story that contradicts this would be Gawain not respecting the rules of the game and holding onto the green girdle. This is the one example that showcases his disloyalty, but Gawain realizes this and tries to use it as a lesson to be better. Since he prides himself on being loyal, this mistake haunts him, but instead of dreading over it, Gawain keeps it as a symbol for his flaws and how not to act.

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