Sir Gawain in Transition Essay - 1379 Words

Sir Gawain in Transition Sir Gawain has played a significant role in Arthurian legends since the Middle Ages. His first major appearance in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight depicts Gawain as a warrior rather than a womanizing knight like others from King Arthurs court. Even in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Gawain focuses on his battle with the green knight rather than the advances of Bercilaks wife. During Gawains visit to Bercilaks castle, his wife makes three specific advances to entice Gawain into an adulteress relationship. Although Gawain faces certain death with the Green Knight, he declines any sexual involvement with Bercilaks wife. Gawains character remains faithful to his†¦show more content†¦Initially the woman saves Arthurs life by giving him the correct answer to a riddle posed by Sir Gromer Somer. Somer says Fyest thow shalt swere upon my sword broun, Toshewe me attthy comyng whate wemen love best in feld and town. (Wilhelm 470) Because King Arthur offers Gawains hand in marriage in exchange for the correct answer, Gawain is forced to marry the loathly lady. After Arthur explains the promise that he has made to the woman, Gawain answers Ys this alle? then sayd Gawen. I shall wed her and wed her again, Thoughe she were a fend: Thoughe she were as foulle as Belsabub, Her shalle I wed, by the rood; Or elles were not your frende, For ye ar my kyng with honor, (476). Gawain maintains the loyalty he is well-known for when he agrees to marry Dame Ragnell to preserve Arthurs life and honor. After Gawain marries Dame Ragnell, she asks him to shew me your cortesy in bed.. Gawain says I wolle do more /Than for to kysse, and God before (482). As Gawain turns toward his new bride she transforms into a beautiful woman who says thus shalle ye me have; Chese of the one, so God save me (My beauty will not hold): Wheder ye wolle have me fayrw on days, And as foulle on days to alle men sightes, or els to haveme fayre on days, and on nyghtes on the fowlyst wyfw; Chese the one or the oder, (482). Gawain puts the decision in her hand and lets her decide.Show MoreRelatedSocial Tension and the Pantheistic Call back to Nature As illustrated in â€Å"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight†945 Words   |  4 Pagesdefined pre-Christian England since man first inhabited the island. These ideas contrast strongly with the Christian â€Å"justifications for dominating nature† (Kline 3). â€Å"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight† highlights this social/religious transition and conflict through the Green Knight and his juxtapositions throughout the tale with Sir Gawain. 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