Gawain 3&4

Part III

Sir Gawain has been on his journey to find the chapel of the Green Knight. He has traveled far and long in a cold winter. Christmas is approaching and he seeks shelter. Out of the fog he stumbles upon a castle. Gawain is taken in by lord of the castle Bertilak de Hautdesert.

In this part of our story Sir Gawain's biggest test arises! Similar to his challenge with the Green Knight he accepts a challenge that appears to have no downside, but sadly we wouldn't have much of a story if there wasn't.

The challenge, well it didn't seem like much of a challenge in the beginning, but it gets there in the end. We find out the "Chapel of the Green Knight" is pretty close by, so Lord Bertilak offers Gawain to stay a few days and rest. While he is resting the Lord will out and hunt. Whatever he gets while he is hunting he will give to Gawain, and Gawain must then give whatever he gets in the castle to Bertilak when her returns.

The complication to this deal is Lady Bertilak the Lord's wife. While Gawain is bedridden, she comes into his and attempts to seduce him. Take note that at this time people slept full nude and that Lady Bertilak is fairly attractive if not extremely. So what is the problem? Gawain is a knight and he must embody chivalry. He cannot sleep with her for obvious reason, but he can't deny her the right to hit on him because of courtesy. In other words; he must be the tease!!! His resolution to this solution is to accept a kiss from her and call it a day. This goes on for three days. Lord Bertilak returns with a catch and Gawain gives him a kiss first 1 then 2 then 3. On the third day when he receives the 3 kisses he had also been gifted with a green "magical" girdle (belt for a gown). The girdle is supposed to protect him from harm, so instead of giving the girdle to Bertilak on the 3rd day he keeps it when he leaves that day.

Symbolism:
The number 3 appears quite a bit throughout this story more profound in this part of the poem. Which may symbolize the holy trinity, but that is only a theory.

Mentions of 3:
3 notable male characters (Arthur, Gawain, Green Knight/Bertilak)
3 notable female characters (Guinevere, lady Bertilak, Morgan le Fay)
3 strikes at Gawain
3 days in bed
3 kisses (incremental 1 , 2 , 3)
3 animals hunted
More?

Part IV

Gawain has left Bertilak's castle and goes to the Chapel of the Green Knight. Gawain has come to honor his word and is coming to meet death. He lays his head down and waits.

The Green Knight swings his mighty axe down, but Gawain backs out. He is mocked for flinching when the Green Knight stood in Arthur's court and held his resolve.
The second strike comes then stops. The Green Knight is checking to see if Gawain will back out again.
The third strike just nicks Gawain on the neck and the deal is complete.

Guess What?

• Green Knight is then Lord Bertilak
• Gawain reveals his honor has faltered when he has broken his code of chivalry to Lord Bertilak by not giving his "gain" up when he was meant to
• We also learn that this whole situation was conjured up by the Arthur's lead antagonist Morgan le Fay the half-sister, cousin, or close relative.

The Girdle to Gawain is now a mark a shame. He wears it and returns to Camelot to show his defeat. Unfortunately for Morgan le Fay, the others see it as Gawain's resolve in the end to do what he should have done. They too begin to wear such girdles as symbols of honor and chivalrous deeds.

Discussion

True Super Hero & Villain?

This is a King Arthur's & Morgan le Faye's war by proxy. They are using both of their "minions" to fight in their place. Why? The Green Knight isn't much of a villain and more of a test and Gawain is a symbol of Arthur's ideals since he a member of the Knights of the Round Table. 

Arthur is much more of a superhero has he is the king, and he has Excalibur, which I hear is pretty awesome..

Morgan is much more of a super-villain because she orchestrated the entire story JUST to mess with Arthur.

Keeping the Girdle?

Gawain kept it because it would save his life, and not because he was afraid Bertilak would end it. There isn't much of a reason to go that in-depth for a story meant to be black and white.

Gawain as a superhero?

No, but I can believe him as a super hero. His earlier exploiter gave me him the super potential \o/

[819]