The Knight and the Green Man
A Different look at the Mid English poem
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Introduction
The usual interpretation of the poem is seeing in it a test for chivalry for one of King Arthur’s most prominent knights, Sir Gawain. My contention is that behind the mask of Christian chivalry lies an idea based on pagan ritual. It is possible that this basis was not only familiar to the initial readers, but perhaps even in actual use at the time among the populace, camouflaged by ideas more acceptable to the authorities.
I. The Poem
It may be helpful to take a look at the main points of the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (s. links below) in order to clarify the idea presented in the Introduction. The poem tells us that, on New Year’s Day, while the knights of King Arthur’s court are celebrating under the auspices of Queen Guinevere, a giant knight appears dressed all in green. He challenges the knights at court to behead him, claiming it would cause him no harm; in return, he demands to do the same to his beheader on the next New Year Day. Sir Gawain, King Arthur’s nephew, volunteers for the task, holds the great axe the Green Knight hands him and cuts off his head. Instead of dying, the knight picks up his head and rides away, after reminding Sir Gawain his promise for next year, and appointing their meeting at his dwelling place in a Green Chapel.
Toward the end of the year, Sir Gawain rides in search of the Green Chapel. On his way he meets many adventures and many dangers until, at Christmas, he arrives at a castle. The Lord of the Castle, Bertilak, who is an avid hunter, welcomes him with courtly manners; he introduces him