What Are The Similarities Between Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

Sir Gawain, the main character in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, was an honorable, practically perfect knight in the Middle Ages. Knights’ had a list they were required to follow to be defined a true knight, which is titled the Code of Chivalry. No matter which Code you read (there are several), you will find something along the lines of “Fear God and maintain His Church”, or simply “Faith” upon each list. The Code of Chivalry came from the church so this was an obvious duty. This one responsibility characterizes almost all aspects of Sir Gawain. He is dedicated to the Church, because of his commitment to his knighthood. Throughout the entire story we find symbols and correlations from the Bible that reveal Gawain’s Christian faith.
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Pearl Poet seems to build his story and characters from his biblical knowledge. The games being played within the story are much deeper than it may first seem, but once you analyze the reality of everything going on, we realize the important lessons being taught. Tison Pugh, an expert on Gawain and the godgames, explains in detail that, “Games and play abound in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and by such amusements the Gawain-poet investigates the ways they reveal the knight's understanding of his individual identity as a Christian.” The game's divulge Gawain’s true character as a Christian.

One example of relations to the Bible is the story of David and Goliath. Benjamin D. Utter, an author who investigated the similarities between the two stories, explains it quite well and even uses Scripture to validate his point: “The most immediately obvious similarities emerge in the beheading game, in which the derision of a giant intruder threatens to disgrace king and court, and forces

a young champion to rise to the occasion and behead the interloper in single combat. Like Goliath of Gath, who challenges the recreant king Saul and his armies, the Green Knight's first entrance into the world of the poem comes in the form of an intrusive challenge.” He takes it one step further and describes their physical similarities: “His preternaturally large and powerful form filling the entrance to Arthur's hall, as well as the uneasy space between the court and its idea of itself. Goliath is intimidating at a height of "six cubits and a span," (I Sam. 17.14) and the Green Knight is described as being half giant at least, and four times the size of any member of the Round Table.” This makes us look at the story in a whole new light. The confession concept is also taken from the David and Goliath story. Once again, Benjamin D. Utter allows us to recognize the undeniable correspondence: “Like the prophet Nathan, who called David to repentance, and the Green Knight himself, who indicts the members of Arthur's court for their failure to live up to their self-professed ideals, the Poet appears critical of his courtly audience, albeit more subtly, for their moral obtuseness.” After Gawain accepted the girdle from the lady, he immediately knows that he has sinned and goes straight to confession with a priest. However, Gawain is not truly repenting, because he continued to wear the girdle beneath his clothing while confessing. Although he is somewhat confessing his acceptance of the girdle, his main motivation is to release him from his sins before going to meet the Green Knight. At this point his death is probable, so Gawain wanted to ensure that his sins were forgiven to be able to enter into heaven: “The priest declared him so clean and so pure that the Day of Doom could dawn in the morning.” (L. 1884-1885). Although Gawain’s shield and exterior self make him seem like the perfect example of a chivalric knight, his interior self reveals his real need for an honest confession. Gawain’s confession was not completely true, however, and in order to make full repentance he must suffer (hence the nick he received). Religion was such a high priority to Medieval society, disrespecting the Christian faith is a serious sin.
When Gawain suits up for battle in Fitt 2 he gathers several items that have a much deeper meaning than is readily apparent. The outer side of his shield displays the “pentangle painted in pure gold…it is a symbol that Solomon once set in place and is taken to this day as a token of fidelity, and it “is ever eternal” (L. 620, 625, 629). This symbolizes Gawain’s vivid chivalric morals. The pentangle, a five-pointed star that reveals the Christian and moral codes that he represents as a knight: faultless senses, infallible five fingers, the five wounds of Christ, the five joys of Mary, and the five qualities in a knight. Every single one of these either serves as religious inspiration in battle or a reminder of his bravery and strength. The fact that they are all intertwined in the pentangle shape show us how Christianity and knighthood interconnect in many ways. Gawain’s shield is a main display of religious devotion and shows us his solid moral beliefs. The Virgin Mary is painted on the inner side of his shield facing him so when he was in the midst of battle “…by catching her eye his courage would not crack” (L. 650). Phillipa Hardman, a knowledgeable man who studied the piety within the story, explains that, “A shield, after all, has the double function of declaring the bearer's identity and of warding off attack; thus it would seem in principle quite appropriate for the pentangle to be seen both as the cognizance of Gawain, the perfect knight, and as a magical symbol used to ward off evil.” Another item Gawain has on him is the girdle, also known as a green belt. Critic Phillipa Hardman continues to clarify his point by describing, “Interpretation often focuses on the contrast between Gawain's true faith as expressed in the pentangle and the superstitious trust he places in the girdle.” Gawain trusted and had superstitions that the belt would protect him, which reminded me of the belt of truth. In the Bible, when they are explaining the armor of God, they label the belt as the belt of truth, which is shown within this scripture: “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place.” (Eph. 6.14-16).
Gawain always stays mindful to his duties to God, and to others.

He holds his responsibilities to God as his number one priority. Critic Tison Pugh explains, “Games and play--those of the Arthurian court, of the Green Knight, and of Christianity--advance the narrative so that Gawain displays his virtuous identity through his pentangle shield and armor; the godgame of the Green Knight (the beheading game and the exchange game) and the godgame of Christianity (the rules of the pentangle).” These are all hidden symbols of Gawain’s devout Christian faith. Tison Pugh also allows us to understand that the main role the Green Knight plays is to, “force Gawain to confront his personal limitations and to gain a better understanding of his place within a Christian world.” He plays this role sneakily, but Gawain remains faithful almost always. This is quite impressive due to all the temptations he faced. We realize from Tison Pugh’s exquisite commentary that the moral of this entire story is “...perfection is a rule that can never be maintained in a fallen world.” No matter how hard anyone tries, even the noblest of knights, there is no way to be completely perfect. When Gawain met the Green Knight to compete in the second portion of the challenge, where the knight would have his chance to behead Gawain, the Green Knight spares his life and only nicks his neck. When Gawain questions this odd situation, the Green Knight reveals that he was the lord from the castle, and his wife’s

seduction was the test to Gawain’s chivalric code. Since Gawain resisted his wife’s seduction, he proved himself to be a knight worthy of his title. His only fault was accepting the girdle and questioning his faith in God, which made him worthy of the physical punishment he received. Now Gawain always had the reminder of his sins from the mark of the Green Knight’s axe on his neck. Critic Derek Pearsall elaborates more on his chivalric motives, “He has done all that a man could be expected to do, but he knows he should have done more,” according to Gawain's personal opinions, and “in these scenes, the poet seems to be writing a sophisticated critique of romance, and to be questioning the possibility of a high secular idealism which combines chivalric with Christian values. Yet he does so, as always, without contempt, generous in a measured way towards man in his predicament and rich in his response to the vigour and beauty of life.” Gawain must withhold his knight duties, but he recognizes his faults, so he feels like he can never be truly forgiven.Gawain felt awful for sinning, and not having full faith in God. He viewed himself as shameful, and unworthy. When he returned to his home, “He showed them the scar..confirming his breach of faith, like a badge of blame. He grimaced with disgrace, he writhed in rage and pain...and showed his smarting shame” (L. 2498, 2504). Gawain lets his shame identify him as a person, but Derek Pearsall reminds us that everyone else still viewed him as, “A brave and noble hero, a fierce and mysterious other-worldly antagonist, a seductive temptress, and throughout an incomparable rendering of the splendour and gaiety of courtly life. Gawain braves all dangers, resists all temptations, and in the end returns to Arthur's court, the challenge of the Green Knight met and overcome.” He truly was a worthy knight who deserved honor. Critic Tison Pugh reminds us that this is a genuine battle, “...between external reputation and internal identity. Gawain, tricked by his own reputation, must learn who he is based upon a better understanding of Christianity.”
Gawain and the Green Knight shows the stereotypical behavior expected in the 14th and 15th century. Religious morals were extremely common, and Gawain demonstrates religious loyalty to maintain his chivalric code. When his faith is tested and becomes shaky, the Pearl Poet uses him as a real example of restoration. Losing faith and sinning is unacceptable in Medieval society, and in order to remain respected confession is necessary. The Green Knight tells Gawain that “the frailty of his flesh is man’s biggest fault”, which still holds true in today’s society. (L. 2435) Perfection cannot be attained by anyone.