When he realizes that the Green Knight and the host are the same man, Gawain curses himself, saying, “Accursed be a cowardly and covetous heart! / In you is villainy and vice, and virtue laid low! ” (2374–2375). He proceeds to deprecate himself as a coward who has fallen short of his chivalric code.
What does Gawain say about himself?
Sir Gawain asks Arthur to allow him to take the challenge. We see how Sir Gawain feels about himself when he gives his reasons for being allowed to take the challenge. Sir Gawain tells Arthur that he is “ ..the weakest, well I know, and wit feeblest;/And the loss of my life will be the least of any” (208).
What does Gawain confess about himself?
Gawain seeks to improve his inner self throughout the poem. After Gawain arrives at Bertilak’s castle in Part 2, it is evident that his reputation is quite widespread. ... Ultimately, however, Gawain confesses his sin to the knight and begs to be pardoned ; thereafter, he voluntarily wears the girdle as a symbol of his sin.
How does Gawain feel about himself at the end of the selection?
You see, Gawain returns to King Arthur’s court all ashamed and sad that he’s failed a test of honor by withholding the green girdle from Sir Bertilak out of a desire to preserve his own life. He feels like he’s failed in his duty as a knight and let everyone down .
What were Sir Gawain’s sins?
By accepting the green girdle, Gawain commits the sin of pride and is forced to realize that he will never be able to reach the state of prelapsarian perfection for which he strives. Gawain’s own description shows that his iniquity stems from the undue weight he placed on his own life.
Why does Gawain take Arthur’s place?
Gawain should take King Arthur’s place because it is not right , according to the chivalric code, for the king to answer a challenge; Gawain is the least important of the knights; Gawain is Arthur’s nephew; and Gawain has been the first knight to step forward to take Arthur’s place.
Does Sir Gawain sleep with the lady?
By twisting the terminology of courtly love, Lady Bertilak puts Gawain in a pickle: As a paragon of chivalry, Gawain will not sleep with her , but at the same time he must not seem to be insulting or rejecting her. Not realizing her behavior serves as a test, he makes his choices and passes her test anyway.
What failing does Sir Gawain blame himself for?
For what failing does Gawain blame himself? ... cowardice . You just studied 10 terms!
What does the Green Knight reveal that Gawain did not know?
The Green Knight reveals his name, Bertilak, and explains that he is the lord of the castle where Gawain recently stayed . Because Gawain did not honestly exchange all of his winnings on the third day, Bertilak drew blood on his third blow.
How does Gawain react to the Green Knight’s taunts?
When the Green Knight sees Gawain flinch, he stops his blade , mocking Gawain and questioning his reputation. Gawain tells him he will not flinch again, and the Green Knight lifts the axe a second time.
What did Sir Gawain do wrong?
To Matthews, Gawain only made one mistake, when in reality Gawain makes his second mistake when pulling his neck back from the ax the Green Knight yielded .
Why is Gawain ashamed at the end of the story?
Why is Gawain ashamed at the end of the story? Why does Sir Gawain feel ashamed after his final confrontation with the Green Knight? He is ashamed because by keeping the sash, he violates the code of knighthood .
Why is it important that Gawain fails Why is he forgiven?
But because Gawain’s failing was only because he wanted to save his life , and not because he’s just dishonorable, the Green Knight forgives him. He leaves Gawain with only with a scar and a girdle as a reminder of his very human sin. Sir Gawain, however, is totally mortified.
Is Sir Gawain a tragic hero?
Even though Sir Gawain seems like a flawless hero, every character has his weaknesses and they are usually tragic . ... Regardless of Sir Gawain’s flaws, he is still seen as one of the greatest knights of the Round Table and as King Arthur’s most chivalrous companion.
Why does Gawain wear the green girdle?
For Gawain, then, the green girdle represents his survival . ... Gawain promises himself that he will wear the girdle forever as a symbol of his failure, but also as a reminder of how “a man may hide his misdeed, but never erase it” (2511).
What are the five joys?
The pentangle was also known to represent the five joys of Mother Mary: The Annunciation, Nativity, Resurrection, Ascension, and Assumption (Rose 110).
