Gawain and the Green Knight

quotes were taken from this text: http://www.yorku.ca/inpar/sggk_neilson.pdf

“If any warrior be wight enough to try what I propose, let him leap light to me and take this weapon- I quit-claim it forever, let him keep it as his own- and I shall stand him a stroke firmly on this floor”(7).

“I beseech now with all courtesy that this affair might be mine” (15).

“Gawain was glad to begin those games in the hall; but it would not be surprising if the end were heavy for though men be merry in mind when they have much drink, yet a year runs full swiftly, and yields never the same; the beginning full seldom matches the end” (12).

      Before reading this tale, I couldn’t make the connection to middle age knights to modern day college students. However after actually reading the story, Gawain’s journey, as a young hero is similar to that of the journey we take from childhood to independence in modern day. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, characters explore temptation, fleeting time, and overcoming obstacles just like we have as freshman entering higher education.

         As the story begins, Gawain is portrayed as a young, budding knight- especially one who has had little experience being independent. In fact, King Arthur calls him a “beardless child” when Gawain first wishes to accept the Green Knight’s challenge (7). During a lavish feast, the Green Knight appears and offers a challenge saying, “If any warrior be wight enough to try what I propose, let him leap light to me and take this weapon- I quit-claim it forever, let him keep it as his own- and I shall stand him a stroke firmly on this floor”(7). In order to save King Arthur from the challenge, Gawain makes a noble decision and accepts the Knight’s game. Gawain says, “I beseech now with all courtesy that this affair might be mine” (15). This exchange between master and student is similar to our experiences as college students. Living in the comfort of our safe homes and communities, we have more or less accepted the voyage of college with the “support” of our past teachers, parents and friends. As students, we have accepted our fate and have taken the steps into a long and often strenuous journey.

We must all take a journey to independence 

         Speaking of journey, Gawain’s endeavor is uniquely parallel to this crossing we are currently taking, specifically in Plan II. We are faced with temptation, challenges (sometimes in the form of seduction), and lastly the test of time. The Gawain poet emphasizes the passage of time as he says, “Gawain was glad to begin those games in the hall; but it would not be surprising if the end were heavy for though men be merry in mind when they have much drink, yet a year runs full swiftly, and yields never the same; the beginning full seldom matches the end” (12). This quote explains that time is something beyond our grasp and that we must learn to deal with fate’s inevitabilities. Gawain is forced to endure time’s omnipresence during his brutal journey while traveling to the Green Chapel. Seasons will change, time will pass and it is completely in the hands of a higher being. Just as Gawain must understand this, we must also accept things may not go as we please. Our lives our ever changing and this is something students must embrace.

"I can resist anything except temptation"
http://www.flickr.com/photos/munduate/4078468678/

         Finally Gawain’s abilities are tested when he must abide by the knightly code and avoid distractions and temptation. This arrives when Bertilak’s wife persistently attempts to seduce him. Although Gawain struggles, he eventually succeeds. Again, this parallels to the distractions we experience as college students. Like Gawain, each of us has our vices but sometimes these may deter us from the ultimate goal.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight portrays a vivid journey of a knight becoming a man through experiential learning. From encounters to obstacles Gawain ultimately fulfills his duty as a noble knight to his community.