Do You Understand?

The Green Knight restates the terms of his agreement with Sir Gawain multiple times making sure that everyone in the court is fully understanding the words that are coming out of his mouth.

The Green Knight

I picked Bad by Michael Jackson because when I imagine the Green knight walking up to King Arthur's castle, I see him listening and dancing to this. He is an intimidating man in the court with his size, characteristics, and given challenge to the knights. At this scene he is portrayed pretty badass.

Gawain Lives

When You Almost Get Your Head Cut Off, But Don't

Quest Song?

I selected this song because it talks of Gawain's journey in my mind. Each of the songs three parts can be molded to talk about Gawain's journey to the Green Knight. The first part is him excited to go to Wales and find the Green Knight. The second part of the song is him having a good time, but having to leave the castle. The last two lines are him facing the Green Knight; "No use in you runnin', or screamin' and cryin'; Cause you got a home as long as I've mine." The first line represents the possibility of the coming death. The second line represents the Green Knight and Gawain becoming friendly at the end of the conflict.

Knights Never Wanna Kiss the Girl

I selected this song for the scene(s) between Gawain and the host’s wife when she’s attempting to seduce him. Also, we watched the Little Mermaid in HON470 so it’s been stuck in my head. Enjoy.

I can't believe the Green Knight was this person all along o. o

Everyone's reaction (Gawain's too) when it was revealed that the Green Knight was the host all along.

Sir Gawain the Chivalrous Pimp

Throughout the whole exchange between Gawain and the host's wife I couldn't help but think how much of a pimp Gawain was. The wife constantly wished how much she picked Gawain over her own husband and how she's heard many stories of him and how he would never allow a woman to leave his chamber without lusting for a kiss. I SEE YOU GAWAIN!

What to give... A Girdle!

Throughout most of section three, I was suspicious of why Sir Gawain was staying so long at the castle. Obviously it had to have a huge impact on the story, whatever the reason was. It wasn’t until part three section 28 that I realized the importance of this part of the story. At first section three was annoyingly long and repetitive, until the lady wanted to give Sir Gawain a gift. At first she wanted to give him a ring “made of reddish gold, with a sparkling stone…” (section 28, lines 1817, 1818.) Gawain did not want the gift so the lady tried to give him another, “[her] girdle -- a much humbler gift.” (section 28, line 1829.) After looking up what a girdle was it made sense. A girdle is not the same thing as a corset, it is more like a belt and was worn by both men and women. For men it was a symbol of power and strength and for women it was a symbol of protection. Now adding on the fact that the girdle is green, the gift makes sense. Somehow the lady and the castle are related to the Green Knight, we learn later that the lord is the Green Knight. The green girdle seems to have been given to protect Sir Gawain from the ax because he passed the test given by the lady and the Green Knight at the castle.

Meeting a fangirl for the holidays

Sorry, Ma'am, but I'm not Gawain to sleep with you.

Dear diary, can I vent to you? Of course I can. You're a notebook I place emotional value in because you give me a medium to release stress, you aren't capable of judgement. Sorry, diary, but those are facts. Anyway, it's nothing too serious. It's just something that happened during my last quest. I do love quests, it's why I became a knight after all. Even better, it was basically a three day vacation.

While the knights and men of the kingdom went out on my hunt, I got to spend three days doing whatever I wanted. And what did I want? Peace and quiet. I surely didn't want to be propositioned for anonymous sex, I can tell you that much. It seems like everywhere I go women are just throwing themselves at me. Hello, does an oath of chastity mean anything these days? I guess that's what I get after volunteering to be in all those knight of the month calendars, but how could I pass up being Mr. December? There's no better Christmas present than these good looks, it's the gift that keeps on giving for Christ's sake! Shit. I'll have to confess that one.

So there I am on Monday morning. It's almost noon, who cares? I was sitting in bed not doing a damn thing when this woman walks in. She's gorgeous; tall, strawberry hair, most of her teeth and with breasts of the purest... rich like... uh... they were pretty cool. She was also the wife of one of the dear huntsmen. Great guy. She comes over and, without any small talk about the weather, immediately professes her lust for me and her desire to take me to the stables, sheath excalibur, other blatant sexual innuendos. What torture. Not only is she married to Robert, one of my high school rugby teammates, but she lusts for me. LUSTS.

You know me, diary, I'm not a lust guy. I'm love or nothing. Either way, she was determined. I was the great Gawain, after all; a man who's looks, courtship and virtue were known far and wide. I wish I was known for my interpretive dance, but sex appeal is good enough, I guess. It took me hours, but I was finally able to convince her that I was not worth the blemish on her marital vows. She had to have something, though, and before she got up, started to kiss me. I'm not proud of this, but I kissed her back, because what was I gonna do, not?

After that I get on with my very important and rudely interrupted plan to sit on my ass all day until dinner. Then, at night, the men get back, they throw me a feast, yadda, yadda, yadda. At least I was able to put off Bob's wife, right? Wrong. Each of the next two mornings she comes back into my room begging me yet again. Lady, if you're that pent up, just fantasize while reading 50 Shades or something, sheesh.

Luckily for me, I'm a master not only in swordplay, but wordplay. I'm not going to lie to you, diary, it wasn't easy. The third morning she went all out: a jeweled hairnet, her finest and most revealing gown, she was reading me like a book. Nonetheless, I was able to keep her at bay once again, though this time she demanded a three kisses and a gift. A gift? What do I look like, a Disney store? When I told her I had no gift that would match her value of grace, she was unbothered. First she tried to give me her ring. I declined partly because I'm not a huge ring guy and partly because I think Bob bought it for her. She wouldn't let me leave without anything, so she gave me her girdle. Weird gift, right? Well it gets even weirder. She says that it grants the power of immortality to the wearer. Now, I'm not usually one to trust the words of a scorned lover, but I'm also kinda in desperate need of some immortality, so I took it and went on my merry way, hunts haul by my side the very next morning. Worst comes to worst I can re-gift it, I guess.

Well, that's all I have, diary, thanks for listening. It's not like you really had a choice, what with being an inanimate organization of tree byproducts, but I appreciate it nonetheless. Gee, I really hope archeology isn't invented because I sure wouldn't want any sick future-perverts getting their hands on you and besmirching my good name.

Winter Weather Wonderland

In Part IV of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, landscape plays an important role when Gawain travels with his companion to the Green Chapel. The passage I’m interested in starts in stanza 4 at line 2077. We know we’re in winter thanks to phrases like “wintry season” (2085) and “snow all before the eyes” (2088). Winter usually signifies things like rest or death, which already feels ominous. Specific words and phrases within the passage about the landscape and the weather push this feeling even further.

The weather contributes to a sense of mystery: “Mist swarmed over the moors, then merged with the mountains” (2080). The mist is covering areas of the land, concealing them and blurring the lines between moors and mountains. Nothing is clearly defined, much like the Green Knight, who is still a question mark to Gawain and anyone who doesn't know what is coming next. The alliteration of the “m” sound in this line is rhythmic and spell-bounding. It pulls the reader further into the story and further into whatever may be lurking in this landscape.

Of course, we later come to find that the Green Knight is not exactly who or what we imagine him to be, which makes the threatening and omnious feelings evoked by this landscape a bit ironic. However, since the landscape is so hazy and mysterious, the landscape still foreshadows in this moment that maybe, just maybe, things aren't what they seem.

Gawain the Deadman

When the Green Knight entered the castle and challenged Arthur, I knew it would be my opportunity to shine. You see, I’ve always had a unique place in the King’s court. Our blood relation ensures my place there, but I had always lived in the shadow of my uncle; unable to make a proper name for myself. I was a knight without identity. I’m not dashing like Lancelot or brutish like Kay. I am Gawain; the modest, the humble, the unremarkable.

While I don’t spend all my time worrying about what others think of me, you can understand why it can be bothersome to be labeled as a sidekick in your own adventures. Everyone talks about Culhwch and his quest to earn the heart of the giant’s daughter. They go on and on about Lancelot’s journey to rescue Guinevere from the clutches of Meleagant. But no one ever seems to remember that I was there too. Is it truly so selfish to dream of being the hero of your own story?

I knew that if I killed this mysterious aggressor, I would finally have my own tale to tell. They’d be talking about Gawain and the Green Knight for years to come. So I stood up, stared him down, and swung with all my might. And in a single blow, I decapitated him. For a moment, I felt a feeling of pride as the room cheered me on. But then, he rose to his feet with his head in his hand and said he’d be returning the blow in a year’s time.

I was going to be known alright. I’d be Gawain; the fool, the headless, the deadman. I’d have to hold up my end of the deal or they’d surely label me a coward, a fate far worse than death. Maybe I should’ve let someone else that the challenge instead. I’m sure Lancelot would look just as handsome split into two pieces.

But alas. A year from today, that Knight is going to knock my head from my shoulders for sure. What a shit way that’d be to end a story.

The Green Knight, Good or Bad?

The unique character, The Green Knight, is quite an instigator. He rides into Arthur's court, demands to fight someone who is brave enough to face him. Sir Gawain volunteered to fight, explaining that Arthur should not have to fight and the loss of Gawain's life was the least important. After reading this paragraph I could literally feel Gawain's insecurities comparing himself to the other knights, stating he is weakest in strength and intelligence and he knows that. The craziest scene takes place when The Green Knight is beheaded by Sir Gawain, but proceeds to pick up his head, mount his horse, continue talking to the court, and rides off to his green castle. To me, this Green Knight seems to be a scary character, illustrated as an immortal being and he could potentially be the cause of Sir Gawain's death. As the story comes to the end of the second act, Sir Gawain's character changes. To me he seems more brave and noble than he claimed to be since his lonesome journey faced many dangerous creatures and frigid weather that would cause any weak knight to retreat. It seems as though because the Green Knight challenged him to this game, it is bringing out the fearless side to Sir Gawain that he didn't know he had. To conclude, I have enjoyed reading the story as a poem format- it is easier to read and the few rhyming words are entertaining.

Gawain's Looking Sharp!

In the beginning of Part 2, Gawain is preparing for his journey to take the Green Knight up on his challenge. It does seem improbable that one could withstand the axe the same way the Green Knight did....even Gawain. Starting at paragraph 4 (line 566) the poet describes Gawain's armor and dressings in great detail. He even goes into much detail about the "fancy hood" and "Turkish silk" that Gawain was wearing. For example some detail that is given about Gawain's horse after his steel armor was laid out. The amount of detail is enormous and the fact that the author would even describe his horse is indicative of something greater. This seems to be done purposefully to set Gawain up the same way the Green Knight's entrance was described, bold and dramatic. Also by describing his armor in such a detailed way one would expect him to be able to survive any blow that the Green Knight may lay on him.

Sir Gawain and that Other Weird Knight

Stanza 5 of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight provides one of the most detailed descriptions of Arthur to date. As the title suggests the epic poem focuses on Arthur's cousin, Gawain; however, the first five lines of the fifth stanza provide some of Arthur's important character traits. To this point in the semester our readings have either depicted Arthur as an all great and powerful King or have provided no personality traits whatsoever. These lines stood out to me because finally Arthur is attributed with having two flaws: his youth and flair for grandeur. These lines also foreshadow Arthur’s decision to allow Gawain to be the knight to face the Green Knight. This is evidenced by “his young blood and restless brain kept him busy” (89). Because of his age he is not fully considering the consequences of sending Gawain on this mission. Later in stanza 16 Gawain plainly states that facing the knight is essentially a death sentence, but the naive Arthur does not fully consider this when consenting to Gawain’s request. Despite his folly, I personally appreciate Arthur's faults because for once he seems to be a real figure, rather than a mythological one. This reading, in contrast to the previous ones, has a tone of honesty. The epic possesses the same fantastic qualities of the past texts; however, the speaker’s tone has a note of self mockery which makes it more believable. My favorite line of the epic so far is 239 when the speaker states, “for they'd witnessed a lot of weird things, but never one like this.” The speaker exactly captures exactly my sentiments.

The day my life changed (help)

All my life I've been told that I'm weak and feeble, and my only claim to fame is that I'm related by blood to Arthur. However, that all changed one New Year's Day.

It started off as a normal Christmastime party, ya know, one of those short-lasting parties, the ones that only last fifteen days. We ate never-ending good food, got some crazy expensive gifts from my cousin Arthur, and marveled at how amazing his court is, and how it must truly be the best court in the entire world. The queen was even seen partying all night, but soon enough, the time once again came for us to eat food. Strangely, Arthur has been going through this weird phase, where he refuses to eat until he hears something adventurous or miraculous. Fortunately for him, he didn't have to wait much longer.

This knight burst through through the front door, and before we knew it, he was right in front of us. Everything about him was green, even his skin color! He also had this gorgeous mantle (wink wink nudge nudge) on him, and there was enough gold on him that even one piece could afford a year's worth of Arthur's expensive gifts! He then asked to see Arthur, and this is when things got hairy.

The guy literally said he wants one of us to attack him with his battleaxe, and if he lives, we'll have to allow him to attack US with his ax one year from now. No thanks, I like my head! I said nothing, and when I saw Arthur get embarrassed over our silence, I immediately knew what to do. This was my chance!

I quickly stood up and said, "Arthur, let me do this instead!" I then rambled on some nonsense about how amazing he is to get his approval, and I then started self-defeating myself in order to seal the deal. It worked! Arthur handed me the ax, and the green knight gave me a good opening to the flesh on his neck.

This is everything I've always wanted!

I gleefully swung the ax at his neck, and the knight's head came right off. I was so happy, and the party members nearby even began to play soccer with the fallen head! Just my luck though, the headless green knight walked over, picked up his head, and told me to meet him at his house a year from today.

Help.