Essay On Gawain And The Green Knight
Throughout the story of Gawain and the Green Knight, games play an important role in propelling the story forward. The Christmas game, the exchange game, and the Knights last ax game is used as tests for Gawain and leads to determining his place as the greatest Knight of Arthur's Round Table. The trials Gawain is put through tests his strength, commitment, and honor. The Christmas Game, which begins the story, is introduced by the elusive Green Knight who shows up out of the blue to challenge the acclaimed Knights of Camelot. The Green Knight tells the men that the most courageous will use his ax and chop of his head, but if the volunteer fails the Green Knight will return the favor after a year and a day. It seems to be a simple game with
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He first hears the Green Knight sharpening his ax, and when he meets the Green Knight, he lowers his head and prepares for the swing. As the Green Knight drops the ax for a blow, Gawain flinches, and the Green Knight stops before the ax reaches his neck, mocking Gawain for his lack of bravery and reminds him that a year ago the Knight did not flinch at Gawain's swing. Gawain promises that it will not happen again and the Green Knight raises his ax once more. He, again, stops his ax and teases him more but Gawain gets angry and demands he stop with his threats. The Green Knight raises his ax for the final time and hits Gawain in the back of the neck, drawing one drop of blood. Gawain springs back refusing to take another hit saying "I take one stroke that's all, for that was the compact we arranged in Arthur's hall; but now no more for me!" (319-322) It is then that the Knight reveals his identity as the lord from the castle and that he arranged the exchanges between his wife and Gawain, including the one he withheld and the swings of the ax corresponded with his games at the castle, the first two played fairly and the last he did not. However, the Green Knight praises him, and tells Gawain that he is convinced that Gawain is above all the Knights, and that even though he took the sash it was out of the love for his life and not lust or greed. Gawain feels disappointed in himself but the Green Knight assures him that his penance is enough to label him as
He first hears the Green Knight sharpening his ax, and when he meets the Green Knight, he lowers his head and prepares for the swing. As the Green Knight drops the ax for a blow, Gawain flinches, and the Green Knight stops before the ax reaches his neck, mocking Gawain for his lack of bravery and reminds him that a year ago the Knight did not flinch at Gawain's swing. Gawain promises that it will not happen again and the Green Knight raises his ax once more. He, again, stops his ax and teases him more but Gawain gets angry and demands he stop with his threats. The Green Knight raises his ax for the final time and hits Gawain in the back of the neck, drawing one drop of blood. Gawain springs back refusing to take another hit saying "I take one stroke that's all, for that was the compact we arranged in Arthur's hall; but now no more for me!" (319-322) It is then that the Knight reveals his identity as the lord from the castle and that he arranged the exchanges between his wife and Gawain, including the one he withheld and the swings of the ax corresponded with his games at the castle, the first two played fairly and the last he did not. However, the Green Knight praises him, and tells Gawain that he is convinced that Gawain is above all the Knights, and that even though he took the sash it was out of the love for his life and not lust or greed. Gawain feels disappointed in himself but the Green Knight assures him that his penance is enough to label him as