Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Fit IV
Gawain the Solar Deity Celestial figure Life of the hero = course of the sun through the year Gawain’s quest begins in fall = sun/hero preparing for death and rebirth
Gawain the Solar Deity Clothing and gear all decorated in shining gold Begins his quest on Michaelmas, the winter solstice Rises daily with the strength of the sun while the lord rises at night
The Green Man
The Green Man Ancient chthonic figure Associated with foliage, woods, and wilds Deity of the trees = Dionysus Sacrificial/vegetation ritual = dismemberment and decapitation (from John Frazer)
The Green Man
The Green Man
The Green Man
The Green Man
Gawain’s Tests Promises to appear at the Green Chapel in a twelvemonth and a day PASSES
Gawain’s Tests Remains loyal to the lord and behaves honorably to the lady PASSES Relinquishes his daily winnings Partly PASSES Partly FAILS
Gawain’s Tests The squire suggests that he run off rather than face the Green Knight PASSES
Gawain’s Tests Fulfills his vow to submit to a single, defenseless blow FAILS PASSES
Gawain’s Faults Succumbs to cowardice (fear of death) Succumbs to covetousness (possession of the girdle/baldric)
The Hero-Quest Tests bring out Gawain’s best qualities Cannot be heroic if he does not face a challenge
The Hero-Quest Must undergo a ritual “death” before he can be reborn into new life and strength
The Hero-Quest Must master the shadows of death Only then can he assimilate some of the dark power
Bertilak de Hautdesert Compelling in his complexity Rude as the Green Knight, genial as the castle lord Terrifying yet ultimately humane and benevolent Compliments Gawain’s virtue
The Temptress Enchantress to enslave the knight or deflect him from his quest The wife and the crone are the same type She ties the Temptation and Exchange of Winnings Game to the Beheading Game
Morgan le Fay Igraine’s daughter/Gawain’s aunt Originally a goddess figure associated with water An ancient love goddess Banished by Guinevere
Morgan le Fay Healer = takes Arthur to Avalon Temptress = the wife Scourge = the crone
Evil to him who evil thinks Epigram Honi soit qui mal pense Evil to him who evil thinks