The Green Knight

 The film above is set in the 14th century when this story was originally written. 

King Arthur sits with this Queen and his retinue in his Christmas court in Camelot. His nephew, the gallant Sir Gawain is also in attendance. An enormous noise occurs at the entrance of the baronial hall and a green giant makes a dynamic entrance on a horse. The giant offers his axe and makes a wager with King Arthur. He says that whoever cuts him will face the same cut a year and a day from that date. Sir Gawain steps forward. He has waited a life time to prove he is the most loyal protector to his uncle, King Arthur. Immediately, Gawain strikes the green giant across the neck, slicing off his head. Red blood flows over green cloth! This story is about life and death. How easy it is to behead someone with such a sharp sword! But the green giant is not killed. He picks up his head and rides out of the baronial hall, out of Camelot, and into the far distance! 

What do you make of this part of the story? The green giant is similar to tree pollarding and if you chop its head off, another grows! Green is related to nature and nature’s ability to recover after perceived death in winter. Humans are not able to recover from death, so the story is about the vulnerability of Sir Gawain, who was after all, only human. The story might be related to the advantages of agriculture and what can be achieved with knowledge of plant husbandry. Green was related to plant life so it is likely the contest with the Green Man was a contest with the harsh and chaotic realities of nature, of the need to survive the harshest of times. 

 

A year and a day later, on his arduous journey to the giant’s Green Chapel for the final showdown, Sir Gawain stays overnight in a hostelry with a lord and his lady in attendance. Another test is given to Sir Gawain, this time related to his sexuality. There are rules! Rule number one is that Gawain must return to his host whatever he gains during his time as a guest, and the lord will then share an equal gift with him. They go hunting together and bring home a deer. However, the lady attempts to seduce Sir Gawain, and he gives her a kiss but refuses further advances. When Gawain asked for his prize, he is kissed by the hostel owner. On the third day of Gawain’s visit, the lady of the hostel gives Gawain a green and gold sash that will protect his life from the green giant, and Gawain keeps this gift safe. 

Gawain’s shield bears a five pointed star, each point representing an aspect of morality that a knight was pledged to perform  - but the green giant was also a knight. Gawain receives the magic girdle for protection, and when he arrives at the Chapel of the Green Giant, he must sacrifice himself to the axe as was decreed by the Giant’s wager. But Gawain is only a man and to lose his head means death. So he bargains with the green giant who reveals himself as the lord of the hostel who gave him meat there. If the giant had known that his wife had given Gawain the gold and green girdle, he would have let him off the deal. What a conundrum! What ambiguity! Sir Gawain kneels and offers his neck, but then he tricks the giant and makes a quick escape back to Camelot. There he marries and has a son. He is worried that the giant will come for the boy who wears the gold and green girdle as a hat. But the child loses the precious protective hat, and is taken by the Green Giant who will not be outdone by stealth or deceit. 

The morality story describes Gawain’s weaknesses and his strengths and his ability to survive. Was he a credit to his Lord, King Arthur! What of the calling in of the wager? Is it possible to outplay fate? 

A Personal View by Wendy Stokes https://wendystokes.co.uk