The poem begins at Christmastime in Camelot, the kingdom of the legendary
King Arthur. The poet tells us that the court is in its "springtime," meaning
that King Arthur is still a young man. He sits at his famous Round Table, with
his wife Guenevere by his side. His best knights are dining with him as well,
including his nephew, Sir Gawain. Everyone is laughing and eating and enjoying
themselves, when they are interrupted by a strange man. |
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(130) |
Of the service itself I need say no more, |
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(135) |
And the first course come to
that company fair, |
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(140) |
Half a giant on earth I hold him
to be, |
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(145) | And formed with every feature in fair accord | |
(150) |
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And in guise all of green, the gear and the man: |
1 Recall that the upper classes wore special fabrics to denote their status. This lets us know that the strange man is a nobleman. |
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(155) |
Embellished all with ermine,
and his hood beside, |
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(160) |
And footgear well-fashioned,
for riding most fit. |
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(165) |
That to tell half the
trifles would tax my wits, |
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(170) |
The stout stirrups were
green that steadied his feet, |
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(175) |
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Gay was this goodly man in guise all of green, |
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(180) |
And the hair of his head to
his horse suited; |
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(185) |
That half his arms thereunder were hid in the fashion |
2 A cap-á-dos is an armored cape that covers the wearer from head to back. |
(190) |
Here a strand of the hair, here one of gold; |
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(195) |
Where many
bells well burnished rang bright and clear. |
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(200) |
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The Green Knight catches the court off guard, and no one knows how to
react. King Arthur steps up and asks the man why he has interrupted
their feast. The young and brash King Arthur declares "If contest bare
you crave, / You shall not fail to fight." The Green Knight responds: |
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(280) |
"Nay, to fight, in good faith, is far from my thought; |
The Green Knight claims that he is only there to play a game. He tries to portray himself as harmless and looking for fun. |
(285) |
If any in this house such hardihood claims, |
3 a shafted weapon with a curved, double-edged blade and a beak at the back. |
(290) |
And I shall bide the first blow, as bare as I sit. |
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(295) | So you grant me the guerdon4 to give him another, | 4 reward |
(300) |
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5 without |
If he astonished them at first, stiller were then |
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(305) |
Bent his bristling brows, that were bright green, |
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(310) |
"Whose fame is so fair in far realms and wide? |
Here the Green Knight is not only challenging King Arthur's character and manhood, but the quality of his court. This is the ultimate insult. |
(315) |
For all cower and quake, and no cut felt!" |
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(320) |
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And said "Sir, now we see you will say but folly, Which whoso has sought, it suits that he find. |
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(325) |
No
guest here is aghast of your great words. |
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(330) |
Now
has Arthur his axe, and the haft grips, |
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(335) |
And
with undaunted countenance drew down his coat, |
Arthur readies his axe and the Green Knight draws back his collar. The Knight appears neither impressed by Arthur's power nor worried about what is about to happen. |
(340) |
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Sir Gawain steps forward to take the pressure off of his king.6 fight |
"Would you grant me the grace," said Gawain to the king, "To be gone from this bench and stand by you there, |
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(345) |
If I without discourtesy might quit this board, |
Gawain refers to his liege lady. When a feudal knight accepts land grants from more than one lord, he must declare one lord his liege lord. A knight must serve his liege lord personally, but may send vassals to serve another lord in his place. |
(350) |
Though you be tempted thereto, to take it on yourself |
Here Gawain claims that he is the weakest and worth the least. This is in contrast to what the poet has told us about Gawain's knightly qualities. These lines demonstrate his modesty. |
(355) |
And the loss of my life would be least of any; |
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(360) | And if my claim be not comely let all this court judge, | |
(365) |
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The Green Knight reminds Sir Gawain that he must uphold his end of
the bargain and come to seek him out in a year's time. Next the Green
Knight prepares to have his head chopped off: |
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The Green Knight upon ground girds him with care: |
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(420) |
Let
the naked nape for the need be shown. |
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(425) |
And cut the flesh cleanly and clove it in twain7, |
7 cut it in half, divided into two partsThe head falls to the floor and rolls around, gushing blood. |
(430) |
Yet
fell not the fellow, nor faltered a whit8, |
8 bit |
(435) |
Steps into the stirrup, bestrides his mount. |
The Green Knight picks up his head and holds it by the hair out in front of him. He does not appear to be hurt at all. |
(440) |
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For the head in his hand he holds right up; | ||
(445) |
Toward the first on the dais directs he the face, |
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(450) |
As you promised in presence of these proud knights. |
The Green Knight reminds the shocked Gawain of his promise to seek him out in a year's time. |
(455) |
Wherefore
you cannot fail to find me at last; |
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The Green Knight leaves the stunned King Arthur and his court. A year
passes. Soon it is Christmastime again and it is time for Gawain to seek
out the Green Knight and his Green Chapel. Sir Gawain leaves the safety
of Camelot for the danger of the wilderness. He encounters many
difficulties. He becomes upset when he realizes that he may spend
Christmas in the wild. He prays to God and Mary. As soon as he does, a
beautiful castle appears. |
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Sir Gawain meets the lord of the castle. He is a burly, good-natured
man and invites Gawain to stay with him for the Christmas holidays. Soon
after he meets the lord of the house, he is introduced to the lady of
the house. Sir Gawain is immediately attracted to her. He cannot help
but compare her to the withered old lady by her side. |
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Gawain agrees to stay with them for a few days. |
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(1105) |
"And Gawain," said the good host, "agree now to this: Whatever I win in the woods I will give you at eve, And all you have earned you must offer to me; Swear now, sweet friend, to swap as I say, Whether hands, in the end, be empty or better." |
The lord of the house takes Gawain aside and tells him that their hospitality has a catch. Gawain must agree to a deal. The host promises to share the animals he kills while hunting. In exchange, Gawain must tell the host what he did during the day. |
(1110) |
"By God," said Sir Gawain, "I grant it forthwith! If you find the game good, I shall gladly take part." "Let the bright wine be brought, and our bargain is done," Said the lord of that land--the two laughed together. Then they drank and they dallied and doffed9 all constraint, |
9 discarded |
(1115) |
These lords and these ladies, as late as they chose, And then with gaiety and gallantries and graceful adieux They talked in low tones, and tarried at parting. With compliments comely they kiss at the last; There were brisk lads about with blazing torches |
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(1120) | To see them safe to bed, for soft repose | |
(1125) |
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After a fun evening with his hosts, Sir Gawain goes to bed. In the
morning, the host goes out hunting, as he said he would. Gawain sleeps
in until he is interrupted by the lady of the house. |
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So the lord in the linden-wood leads the hunt And Gawain the good knight in gay bed lies, |
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(1180) |
Lingered late alone, till daylight gleamed, Under coverlet10 costly, curtained about. And as he slips into slumber, slyly there comes A little din11 at his door, and the latch lifted, And he holds up his heavy head out of the clothes; |
10 blanket or comforter 11noise |
(1185) |
A corner of the curtain he caught back a little And waited there warily, to see what befell. Lo! it was the lady, loveliest to behold, That drew the door behind her deftly and still And was bound for his bed--abashed was the knight, |
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(1190) |
And laid his head low again in likeness of sleep; And she stepped stealthily, and stole to his bed, Cast aside the curtain and came within, And set herself softly on the bedside there, And lingered at her leisure, to look on his waking. |
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(1195) |
The fair knight lay feigning for a long while, Conning in his conscience what his case might Mean or amount to--a marvel he thought it. But yet he said within himself, "More seemly it were To try her intent by talking a little." |
Gawain pretends to be asleep because he does not know how to react to her presence. He is not sure why she is there or what she wants from him. |
(1200) |
So he started and stretched, as startled from sleep, Lifts wide his lids in likeness of wonder, And signs himself swiftly, as safer to be, |
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(1205) |
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"Good morning, Sir Gawain," said that gay lady, "A slack sleeper you are, to let one slip in! |
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(1210) |
Now you are taken in a trice--a truce we must make, Or I shall bind you in your bed, of that be assured." Thus laughing lightly that lady jested. "Good morning, good lady," said Gawain the blithe12, "Be it with me as you will; I am well content! |
Gawain and the lady flirt.
12 cheerful |
(1215) |
For I surrender myself, and sue for your grace, And that is best, I believe, and behooves me now." Thus jested in answer that gentle knight. "But if, lovely lady, you misliked it not, And were pleased to permit your prisoner to rise, |
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(1220) |
I should quit this couch and accoutre me better13, And be clad in more comfort for converse here." "Nay, not so, sweet sir," said the smiling lady; "You shall not rise from your bed; I direct you better: I shall hem and hold you on either hand, |
13 get dressed, put on appropriate clothes |
(1225) |
And keep company awhile with my captive knight. For as certain as I sit here, Sir Gawain you are, Whom all the world worships, whereso you ride; Your honor, your courtesy are highest acclaimed By lords and by ladies, by all living men; |
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(1230) |
And lo! we are alone here, and left to ourselves: My lord and his liegemen are long departed, The household asleep, my handmaids too, The door drawn, and held by a well-driven bolt, And since I have in this house him whom all love, |
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(1235) | I shall while the time away with mirthful speech | |
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The lady of the house tries to seduce Sir Gawain. | |
(1240) |
"In good faith," said Gawain, "my gain is the greater, Though I am not he of whom you have heard; To arrive at such reverence as you recount here I am one all unworthy and well do I know it. |
Gawain modestly and tactfully sidesteps the lady's advances. |
(1245) |
By heaven, I would hold me the happiest of men If by word or by work I once might aspire To the prize of your praise--'twere a pure joy!" |
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The lady eventually wins the debate, and she and Gawain kiss. Gawain does not tell his host, but instead offers a friendly kiss when the host brings home his killings from a day of hunting. In this way he is sharing what he "earned" in the castle. The next day, the lady comes to seduce Gawain again, and they kiss once more. On the third day, after they kiss, she tries to give him a gift. He does not accept it. Next, she offers him her green and golden girdle made of silk. She tells him that the girdle will protect him from any weapon, and that anyone who wears the girdle could never get hurt. Gawain realizes the girdle could protect him from the Green Knight. He accepts her gift. At the end of the day, he does not present the girdle to his host, but keeps it a secret. The next day, Gawain leaves to find the Green Chapel. Soon after leaving the castle in the woods, Sir Gawain stumbles upon the Green Chapel. He does not see anyone, so he calls out: |
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"Who has power in this place, high parley to hold? |
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(2215) |
If any would a word with him, let him walk forth |
The Green Knight appears with a huge axe, ready for the day he has been waiting for. |
(2220) |
But worked awhile at his whetting before he would rest, |
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(2225) |
Filed to a fine edge--four feet it measured |
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(2230) |
Sets a hand on the axe-head, the haft to the earth; |
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(2235) |
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"God love you, Sir Gawain!" said the Green Knight then, |
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(2240) |
"And well met this morning, man, at my place! |
14 You found me quickly. |
(2245) |
And we have met in these mountains, remote from all eyes: |
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(2250) |
"No, by God," said Sir Gawain, "that granted me life, |
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(2255) |
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Sir Gawain braces himself for the blow of the axe. |
(2260) |
Then the grim man in green gathers his strength, |
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(2265) |
But Gawain at the great axe glanced up aside. |
Gawain winces. The Green Knight stops mid-stroke, annoyed by Gawain's cowardice. |
(2270) |
"You are not Gawain the glorious," the green man said, "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 that knight I never heard yet! I moved not a muscle when you made to strike, |
The Green Knight insults Gawain by saying that he does not deserve his reputation. |
(2275) |
Nor caviled15 at the cut in King Arthur's house; My head fell to my feet, yet steadfast I stood, And you, all unharmed, are wholly dismayed-- Wherefore the better man I, by all odds, |
15 objected to |
(2280) |
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The Green Knight takes another
swing, but stops before it does damage yet again. This time Gawain does
not flinch. By this point, Gawain is angered. He wants the Green Knight
to get on with it. The Green Knight hoists up his axe a third time. |
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(2310) |
He gathered up the grim axe and guided it well: |
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(2315) |
And when the man beheld his own blood bright on the snow, |
The Green Knight takes a third and final swing, but only nicks Gawain's skin. A tiny bit of blood falls from his neck onto the ground. |
(2320) |
Not since he was a babe born of his mother |
Gawain is annoyed that the Green Knight has taken so many swings. Gawain claims he has fulfilled his end of the bargain. If the Green Knight swings again, Gawain will fight back. |
(2325) | And promptly, I promise you, pay back each blow | |
(2330) |
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He lowers the long axe and leans on it there, |
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(2335) |
And plies him with proud words--it pleases him well. |
16 control, withhold |
(2340) |
Nor done, save as duly determined at court. |
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(2345) |
First I flourished with a feint, in frolicsome mood, |
By referring to the terms fixed on the "first night," the Green Knight reveals he was Gawain's host at the castle. He assigned a swing of the axe for each of the times that Gawain kissed his wife and repaid the host according to the rules. |
(2350) |
A second feint, sir, I assigned for the morning |
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(2355) |
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The Green Knight goes on to explain that the third swing and the only
cut is for Gawain's acceptance of the green and golden girdle, which he did not
share with his host. The Green Knight explains that Gawain lacked loyalty to his
lord (the host) by not handing over the girdle at the end of the third day.
Recall the knights' primary motto was loyalty to lord, God, and lady. Gawain is
ashamed of his behavior. Gawain admits that he was a coward, and is embarrassed
of his weakness. |
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Then the other laughed aloud, and lightly he said, | ||
(2390) |
"Such harm as I have had, I hold it quite healed. |
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(2395) |
And I give you, sir, this girdle that is gold-hemmed |
The Green Knight wants Gawain to keep the girdle as a token of remembrance. He invites him back to his castle. |
(2400) |
And you shall in this New Year come yet again |
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(2405) |
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"Indeed," said the doughty knight, and doffed his high helm, And held it in his hands as he offered his thanks, "I have lingered long enough--may good be yours, |
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(2410) |
And he reward you well that all worship bestows! |
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(2415) |
And through the wiles of a woman be wooed into sorrow, |
17 Eve, the original
"instrument of evil" 18, 19 Two biblical women that are thought to have caused trouble and tragedy by seducing men |
(2420) |
Now these were vexed by their devices--'twere a very joy |
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(2425) |
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"But your girdle, God love you! I gladly shall take | ||
(2430) |
"And be pleased to possess, not for the pure gold, |
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(2435) |
The faults and the frailty of the flesh perverse, |
Gawain says he will keep the girdle not for its beauty or quality, but as a reminder of his failure to uphold the code of chivalry. It will remind him of his shortcomings. |
(2440) |
Since you are lord of yonder land where I have long sojourned |
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(2445) |
"Bertilak de Hautdesert, this barony I hold. |
Gawain finally learns the Green Knight's name: the Baron Bertilak de Hautdesert. Bertilak admits that the sorceress Morgan le Faye lives at his castle. |
(2450) | With that wizard, that knows well each one of your knights | |
(2455) |
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"She guided me in this guise to your glorious hall, |
Morgan, an enemy of King Arthur's, is constantly trying to disturb his court. She devised the game for her own amusement. | |
(2460) |
To afflict the fair queen, and frighten her to death |
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(2465) |
The Duchess' daughter of Tintagel, that dear King Uther |
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(2470) |
As any man God ever made, for your great good faith." |
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(2475) |
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Gawain returns to Camelot and is welcomed by the king and his court. He turns
to his king: |
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(2505) |
"Behold , sir," said he, and handles the belt, |
Gawain tells him about his failure to uphold the code of chivalry and the cut he received as a result. |
(2510) |
And I must bear it on my body till I breathe my last. |
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(2515) |
That the lords and the ladies belonging to the Table, |
The Knights of the Roundtable all start wearing green belts diagonally from shoulder to hip, just like Gawain, as a symbol of the weakness in us all. |
(2520) |
And he honored that had it, evermore after, |
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(2525) | After the siege ceased at Troy and the city fared | |
(2530) |
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Honi Soit Qui Mal Pense20 |
20 "Shame be to the man who has evil in his mind." This is the motto of the Order of the Garter. The person who originally recorded this poem associated this order with the one founded by Sir Gawain. |