Sir Gawain and the Green Knight :: English Literature Essays

Sir Gawain and the Green dub Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, a fourteenth-century tale written by an anonymous poet, chronicles how Sir Gawain of King Arthurs good turn Table finds his virtue compromised. A noble and truthful knight, Gawain accepts the Green Knights challenge at Arthurs New Years feast. On his way to the Green Chapel, Gawain takes shelter from the cold winter at gentle Bercilaks castle. The lord makes an agreement with Gawain to exchange what they have one at the end of the day. During the three days that the lord is out hunting, his married wo serviceman attempts to ca-ca Gawain. At the end of the story, it is revealed that Morgan le Faye has orchestrated the entire situation to discharge the Knights of the Round Table by revealing that one of their best, Sir Gawain, is not perfect. The course begins with Lord Bercilak returning from his first hunting trip. As has been agreed, he hold over the wild boar he has killed to Gawain. In turn, Ga wain gives the lord a buss. The lord gives Gawain a chance to admit that he has been intimate with lady Bercilak when he says, it might be the kiss all the better, would you but say where you won this same award (Norton 187. Gawain is a gentleman, who would never kiss and tell, so the deuce reaffirm their pact for the next day. The lords determination in pursuing the wild swine till the sunlight slanted is paralleled by his wifes determination in seducing Gawain as she was at him with all her contrivance to turn his mind her way (188). Lady Bercilak attempts to exploit Gawains character as she tries to seduce him. She greets him in the bedroom and coyly asks how a man so well-meaning, and mannerly disposedcannot act in company as courtesy bids (189). Lady Bercilak is not subtle (she points out that the door is locked and the deuce are alone in the castle) as she offers herself to Gawain, saying, I am yours to command, to kiss when you please (189). She tries to make Gawa in feel guilty by implying that he is contemptuous her by not succumbing to her seductions and proclaiming his love to her.