Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is from a list of tales considered “Arthurian,” or relating to the legends of King Arthur and his knights. This particular tale was written in the 14th century (about the time Chaucer was also writing his work, The Canterbury Tales) by an anonymous author (also known as the "Pearl Poet") (Sir Gawain). He is considered one of the greatest poets of the period, and wrote using a North West Midland dialect of English, which included words from the Scandinavian and French languages (not to mention an alliterative poetic style) (Notes).

There are a number of reasons for why Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a significant work of its time. The most important reasons for the tale's significance are the symbolism found in the work, and the style in which it was written, due to their mutual relation to the religious and moral codes found during the 14th century.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is filled to the brim with symbolism. With its distinct Arthurian style, this tale happens to clutch tightly to ideas of chivalry, especially fealty to one's lord or lady. This is seen in several of the major scenes in the poem. Sir Gawain intervenes between his lord, King Arthur, and the Green Knight initially, saying "I beseech, before all here,/ That this melee may be mine" (Norton 1650, lines 341-342). Sir Gawain goes on to say, "I am the weakest, well I know, and of wit feeblest;/ And the loss of my life would be least of any" (lines 354-355) and soon after, "this folly befits not a king" (358). In this way, Sir Gawain lays down his life in place of his king, showing him the utmost loyalty. Sir Gawain again shows off his chivalrous heart when he makes a solemn vow (that he honors, the fool!) to the Green Knight to have his head cut off when they meet again in a year (404-453). When he meets the Green Knight again (who is in disguise), Sir Gawain makes a vow with the Green Knight as his host/lord to give everything Sir Gawain has "earned" to the emerald-hued knight. In return the Green Knight vows to give Sir Gawain everything he has caught during his hunts (1105-1110). Sir Gawain honors this agreement until the Green Knight's wife gives Sir Gawain her girdle as protection (1829-1869). Then, because he only has one girdle and he'd like to not be killed later in his fight with the Green Knight, Sir Gawain keeps the girdle for himself and lies to the Green one, saying, "...all that I owe here is openly paid" (1941). The moment Sir Gawain lies, he breaks the vow he made with his green friend, and later is punished with a nick on the neck as penance (2309-2314). The girdle itself symbolizes the idea that Sir Gawain is holding something back/in when he tells the Green Knight that his debt has been paid.

The pentangle (as pictured above) is on Sir Gawain shield in Part II (Norton 1656) and its symbolism is described in lines 619-665. They are:  '1. "Fiue wyttez" (five senses): may indicate that Gawain did not sin through sensual indulgence...
'2. "Fyue fyngres" (five fingers): no special significance is apparent here; may signify manual competence or physical strength. Some critics refer to the use in some devotional manuals of the image of the five-fingered hand.
'3. "Fyue woundez" (Five Wounds of Christ): a typical subject of meditation; here Gawain's fealty or faith is said to depend on them.
'4. "Fyue joyez" (Five Joys of Mary): a variable list, but usually Annunciation, Nativity, Resurrection, Ascension, Assumption; here Gawain's force or valour or bravery is said to derive from them (forsnes 'fortitude' in the original).
'5. The "fyft fyue" are the social virtues...' (Notes).

The pentangle is a symbol that has significance in "pagan" tradition as well, but is given religious value in this tale in order to give it about the same sort of significance as it originally held. "Therefore, this symbol, like many other symbols utilized by knights and soldiers, were (sic) taken and used to represent a knight's particular religious beliefs for the purpose of protection, physical remembrance and reverence to religious beings, or personal representation of one's own values and aspirations as a pious and chivalric virtues of a knight" (Religion).

Just as the hero in most epic poems is described in narratives dripping with rich praise, Sir Gawain is described as being virtuous and overall a "good knight" throughout the work (Norton 1659, line 748). He has strong moral fiber and though he is tempted, he never commits adultery (but he isn't above kissing--and I mean everyone). By the end of the tale, Sir Gawain shows that he isn't perfect, however, and comes back with the girdle and a nick from the Green Knight to show for his failings (though King Arthur and the rest of his gang all appear pretty unperturbed about both considering their reaction at the end).

Overall, this work shows the importance of the code of chivalry to those living in the 14th century. It uses symbolism to express the pious and generally good nature of Sir Gawain--both religiously and morally--through specific items (such as the pentangle and the girdle). While it expresses the ideas dearest to the medieval society, it also moves its readers through language that flows with beautiful alliteration and descriptive genius.

The Green Knight's horse, just chilling out in the pasture with a friend...