Three Major Themes In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

Gawain endures a journey of personal test throughout Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The major theme of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is the hero’s passage to maturity. Along the way, he passes three major tests. First, he shows courage and initiative when he volunteers to take the place of Arthur and accepts the challenge of the Green Knight. Second, he shows discipline, self-control and honor when he refuses the advances of Lady Bertilak. Third, he faces death when he keeps his appointment with the Green Knight. Gawain’s actions and words through these three major plot points define his character and allow him to achieve growth and maturity. Sir Gawain shows courage and initiative when he volunteers to take the place of Arthur and accepts …show more content…
Lord Bertilak and Gawain’s decide on a bargain. Lord Bertilak is to go out into the wild and hunt game while Gawain enjoys the luxury the castle has to offer. This grows into a test of Gawain 's honesty and honor. On the first day, the lady of the castle enters Gawain 's room and begins to seduce Gawain. Gawain upholds his promise and is able to stay off of harm 's way receiving only a single kiss from the lady of the castle. The seduction is subtle and does not become physical. On the second day, the lady returns to Gawain 's room and proceeds with sexual temptations to reel Gawain into the trap. Upon the third day, the temptations endure. Gawain and lady of the castle begin to kiss when Gawain realizes his error and stops Lady Bertilak. Lady Bertilak consents to Gawain 's rejection and offers him a ring as a recollection. Gawain declines the ring arguing he has nothing of value to give in exchange. She endures with her pursue and offers him a green girdle arguing if he wears it “no hand under heaven that could hew him down"(“Gawain” 74. 8). This deceptive act can be seen as a direct play on his fears and he "began to muse, and mainly he thought/It was a pearl for his plight” (“Gawain” 74. 12-13). She gives him the green girdle as a token to remember her by; however, to Gawain, the girdle symbolizes his survival. Due to Gawain’s failure to exchange the girdle with Lord …show more content…
Sir Gawain honors his agreement with the Green Knight, meeting him at the Green Chapel. Gawain bravely faces death after the Green Knight reveals that he is actually Sir Bertilak and knows that Sir Gawain has the green girdle without telling him. As punishment, he receives a blow that results only in a nick on the neck. Upon the first strike, Gawain turns and looks at the Green Knight; this welcomes judgment from the Green Knight who stops mid-swing and taunts him. Gawain replies "...strike once more; /I shall neither flinch nor flee"(“Gawain” 91. 16). Gawain tries his best to maintain bravery because he fears his mortality and is afraid. Upon the second stroke, Gawain remains impeccably still and again the Green Knight stops and criticizes him. This irritates Gawain who retorts, "Why, thrash away, tyrant, I tire of your threats; /you make such a scene, you must frighten yourself"(“Gawain 92. 17-18). Gawain’s retort appears brash; readers become aware now that he is not kind in his dreadful waiting of punishment. This makes him seem more real as the Green Knight detains the inevitable. The third and final strike nicks Gawain 's neck. Gawain rises and reaches for his sword to defend himself from further attacks. Finally, the Green Knight clarifies to him the intent for the blows. The first strike was for the first night of the exchange where he upholds his honesty. The second strike was for the