Gawains Encounter with the Green Knight in the Green Chapel

Gawains Encounter with the Green Knight in the Green Chapel Even though little is known about the author of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, it is considered to be one of the greatest romances of all time. The poem tells the story of one of Arthurs noblest and most courageous knights, Sir Gawain, who is in search of the Green Chapel: Sir Gawain ingeniously combines two plots, common in folklore and romance, although not found together elsewhere: the beheading contest, in which two parties agree to an exchange of blows with a sword or an ax, and the temptation, an attempted seduction of the hero by a lady (Norton 200). The poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight deals with important themes and ideas such as nobleness, chivalry,†¦show more content†¦This is another test of Gawains character. The guide leaves and Gawain proceeds further. He has accepted the belt in hope that it will save his life, but incase it doesnt, Gawain has now put himself in gods hands. Gawain rides up the hill in the wild evil landscape. He realizes that the barrow is the Green Chapel. Upon seeing the evil landscape and the Green Chapel, he thinks that it is a chapel of mischance and the devil might live there. As he proceeds further, he hears the noise of the sharpening of an ax. Here the ax represents success. The noise becomes unbearable and Gawain calls out for the Green Knight. The Green Knight appears, but there is a river between him and Gawain. The Green Knight uses the ax as a vaulting tool to get over the river to the other bank where Gawain now is. Gawain has promised to accept a hit, and so he bows his head down and bares his neck to receive the hit. Even though Gawain bares his neck to receive the hit, he is extremely cautious and fully aware of the Green knights strength and the fact that he could be dead with just one stroke of the ax. The Green Knight raises his ax, but just as the blade gets close to his neck, Gawain flinches. Upon seeing this the Green Knight begins to taunt Gawain. He says: You are not Gawain the glorious That never fell back on field in the face of the foe, And now you flee for fear, and have felt no harm: Such news of the knight I never heard yet! . . . . Wherefore theShow MoreRelatedSir Gawain And The Green Knight1359 Words   |  6 Pagesthe poem â€Å"Sir Gawain and The Green Knight,† a protagonist emerges depicting an Arthurian knight named Sir Gawain. Sir Gawain, King Arthur’s nephew, takes initiative by accepting the challenge requested by the Green Knight in place of his uncle. He undergoes a perilous adventure, seeking for the Green Knight to receive the final blow. 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During Christmastime, Camelot was filled with many lords and only the best of leaders; the knights of Arthur’s court prepared for the Christmas feast; who were all filled with a glutton for the coming food. It was a time of joy; everyone cheered