Sir Gawain and the Green Knight :: English Literature Essays

Sir Gawain and the commons Knight Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, a fourteenth-century tale create verbally by an anonymous poet, chronicles how Sir Gawain of King Arthurs Round set back finds his righteousness 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 Lord Bercilaks castle. The original cooks an agreement with Gawain to exchange what they have one at the ending of the day. During the terzetto days that the lord is out hunting, his wife attempts to persuade Gawain. At the end of the story, it is revealed that Morgan le Faye has orchestrated the entire situation to disgrace the Knights of the Round Table by revealing that one of their best, Sir Gawain, is not perfect. The passage begins with Lord Bercilak reverting from his first hunting trip. As has been agreed, he hands over the savage boar he has killed to Gawain. In turn, Gawain gives the lord a kiss. The lord gives Gawain a chance to admit that he has been intimate with peeress Bercilak when he says, it major power be the kiss all the better, would you but say where you won this same plunder (Norton 187. Gawain is a gentleman, who would never kiss and tell, so the two reaffirm their agreement for the next day. The lords last in pursuing the ridiculous swine till the sunlight slanted is paralleled by his wifes determination in seducing Gawain as she was at him with all her art to turn his mentality her way (188). Lady Bercilak attempts to exploit Gawains reputation as she tries to seduce him. She greets him in the bedroom and coyly asks how a man so well-meaning, and well-bred disposedcannot act in company as courtesy bids (189). Lady Bercilak is not subtle (she points out that the door is locked and the two are only when in the castle) as she offers herself to Gawain, saying, I am yours to command, to kiss when yo u please (189). She tries to make Gawain feel guilty by implying that he is insulting her by not succumbing to her seductions and proclaiming his love to her.