Sir Gawain Challenges

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Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a Middle English romance poem written by an anonymous poet. Sir Gawain, the protagonist of the poem, has to overcome two different tests: a challenge to behead a Green Knight and to let him strike back a year later at a distant Chapel; and the temptation to commit adultery with the wife of Lord Bercilak, who we later get to know it’s the Green Knight. This story is symbolic of life; how humans are constantly tested and challenged and the consequences either succeeding or failing this challenges may produce. Sir Gawain is a very symbolic character, he represents innocence in life. He was not afraid to accept the Green Knight’s challenge because it meant saving the kingdom by saving the king. Sir Gawain’s…show more content…
It is evident how in this search, Gawain is not only challenges physically, but mentally. This search clearly tested his faith in the sense that he was constantly praying during his journey, and he never doubted that God was definitely on his side. Gawain’s prayers were answered when he rode along and finally came upon a place that he could petition for possible rest. This castle would be the setting for Gawain's next test. This answers to his prayers represent the Christian historical context of the time this poem was written since in the 14th century the Christian religion was starting to become the most…show more content…
Gawain, bending over for the blow, is feinted by the knight and he flinches. The knight raises the ax for a second time and feints again. Gawain gets really mad at the Knight but the knight finally raises his ax and strikes Gawain on the back of the neck. The knight explains that the first two strokes were symbolic of the first two nights at the castle, when he fairly repaid him his wife's kisses, and the final blow was representative of Gawain failing the final exchange and accepting the sash. Even though he betrayed his believes in God for his own protection, the knight says that he will forgive him and praised him for being one of the most faithful men he has ever seen. The Knight says that "Gawain was polished of that plight and purified" meaning that even though a man can always be forgiven, despite their faults and failures. Gawain feels that he betrays not only the knight but also god but he is thankful that he is
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