In order to sit at this table, a knight would have to first prove his worthiness. At the opening of the story, King Arthur is feasting [in the courthouse] and proposes a game that he will not masticate his victuals until his auricular discerns an “outrageous fable,” (93). The author uses imagery in this scene to foreshadow a story filled with amazement is approaching. As lords and ladies feast on delectable food, Arthur awaits a marvelous story. Suddenly, a giant, concealed in green, with his horse approaches the door. Astonished by his size and uniqueness, everyone visually examines the mysterious man. Furthermore, now perceiving this man as the Green Giant, he introduces another game to the audience. Albeit, this game did not call for a fabulous story, on the other hand, it presented a “beheading game” (Introduction, 135) to prove who is the bravest of the knights. The green giant addresses the court “to strike me one stroke (without flinching) and be struck in return,” (287). Ignoring his obnoxious verbal expressions, he perpetually …show more content…
Throughout these trials, Gawain endeavored exceedingly hard to maintain his knightly characteristics. However, his humanity kept falling through, making him fallible to the tribulations. In the final game, as the scene unfolds, the author uses enjambment to reflect different portions of the trials, as the Green Giant inflicts three strikes upon Gawain. The first strike representing bravery, the second strike signifying Gawain’s honesty, with the final strike denoting “covetousness” (2374). The author exposes Gawain’s human nature as throughout Gawain tries unfailingly to maintain his code of chivalry. As the author concludes the story, and Gawain’s journey comes to a cessation, he recognizes his imperfections and admits fault claiming, “I am found to be flawed and false” (2382). In recognition of Gawain’s acknowledgment of his own flaws and having openly paid penance at the point of the axe, the Green Knight absolves him from all his faults. Finally, in tying the keywords to the theme, we see the magnification and growth of Gawain as a chivalrous knight to be