The Humanity of Sir Gawain
In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight the reader initially gets the idea that Gawain
is above reproach but as the story unfolds we see that he is human and fallible.
When the Green Knight enters Arthur’s great hall bent on combat (1649) Arthur
stands up to the knight telling him, “The boon you have begged shall straight be granted”
(1650). Gawain realizes his duty to protect the king and without hesitation asks, “I
beseech, before all here,/ That this melee may be mine” (1650) and fulfills his obligation
as an honorable knight protecting his king. Further into the story when Sir Gawain
assumes his quest for the green knight he arrives at the castle of the lord where he is
warmly welcomed. When the lord learns the errant knight is Sir Gawain himself he
remarks, “And the polished pearls of impeccable speech;/ The high art of eloquence is
ours to pursue/ Since the father of fine manners is found in our midst” (1662). He builds
Gawain up as a brave and most noble knight of the highest level.
While the lord is hunting the Lady sneaks into Gawain’s bed chamber and temps
him by saying, “My body is here at hand,/ Your each wish to fulfill;/ Your servant to
command/ I am, and shall be still” (1669). Gawain remains the gracious, noble knight
and declines the lady’s offer while never making the lady feel any less desirable. He
responds by telling her he is not so great and is unworthy of her.
The second time the lord left to go hunting the lady again tempted Sir Gawain.
She coyly peeps in on him makes her intentions well known when she tells him, “I am
yours to command, to kiss when you please;/ You may lay on as you like, and leave off at
will” (1674). Sir Gawain remains the steadfast noble knight and graciously declines the
lady’s offer.
On the last day of the hunt the lady tempts him one last time when she sinks into
the bed by his side and says, “Either take her tendered love or distastefully refuse
(1680).” The lady tries diligently to goad him into betraying his loyalty to his host. This
time though the lady makes Gawain an offer he cannot refuse and he reveals his
humanity.
As the time draws near for Sir Gawain to meet the Green Knight he becomes
depressed and fearful and when the lady presents a chance to save his life he reacts in a
manner that most people would. She offers Sir Gawain her girdle telling him if he wears
this simple thing, “There is not hand under heaven that that could hew him down,/ For he
could not be killed by any craft on earth” (1681). He takes the girdle in an effort to save
his life and in doing so betrays the lord and shows that he is only human after all.