Green Knight :: Arthurian Legends

Green Knight One of the most misunderstood characters from the Arthurian Legends is the Green Knight, especially in comparison with Sir Gawain. At first glance, the Green Knight seems to be very overpowering in his challenging of the knights of King Arthurs court. He even indicates that everyone in the court is weak, and he cannot believe that this is the famous Arthurs house What, is this Arthurs house, said that horseman then. (Norton, 309) The Green Knight k directs that he will not die from a strickle of an axe, and so he is offering to play this game to mock the knights of the Round Table. But, as it turns out later, the Green Knight is more noble and fair than it seems and is overly very kind. He will not kill his challenger but gives him a more fair test, a test of character. The Green Knight, or Bercilak de Hautdesert as he introduces himself, is not such a bad guy and is actually a very good host. He gladly takes Sir Gawain into his home and off ers him everything, a victorian bath, food, clothing, and ironically, even his wife. He also offers to the Sir Gawain a very good deal, to share everything they both get in a day Said the good host, agree now to this Whatever I win in the woods I will give you at eve, And all you have earned you must offer to me verbalize now, sweet friend, to swap as I say, Whether hands, in the end, be empty or better. (Norton, 1105-1109) And, while Sir Gawain just sits at home, sleeps late and enjoys his day with a splendid lady, Bercilak de Hautdesert goes out to hunt for game. In reality the Green Knight wants to give Sir Gawain an opportunity to show his inner self. The Green Knight tests Sir Gawain by sending his ingest wife to seduce him, to check first of all, if hell bite the bait, and second, if he will be honest about it. The Green Knight realizes that it is not completely fair for him to challenge a mortal person, Sir Gawain, and so he wants to give Sir Gawain another chance to stay alive.