Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a tale about the imperfections of men. In this case, these imperfections are that men try to prove that they have certain desirable qualities and they try to ensure that they get what they wish for. Presenting a challenge, a Green Knight enters King Arthur’s hall on Christmas. If any knight is brave enough to cut off the Green Knight’s head, he can keep the Green Knight’s ax. Furthermore, the Green Knight will then return a strike to that knight in one year. After hearing this challenge, Sir Gawain tries to prove his bravery to King Arthur by cutting the head of the Green Knight off in one blow. Afterwards, the knight leaves with his head, telling Sir Gawain to look for the Green Chapel. On all saint’s day the
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Sir Gawain promises not mention the green belt to Lord Bertilak. Returning with a fox pelt, Lord Bertilak gives the pelt to Gawain in return for three kisses. The following morning, Sir Gawain is led by a servant of Lord Bertilak to the Green Chapel. Before he departs, the servant warns Sir Gawain about the Knight of the Green Chapel. Meanwhile, Sir Gawain continues on to the Green Chapel, keeping his oath to the Green Knight. Swinging his blade three times, the Green Knight misses twice and creates a small cut in Sir Gawain’s neck. Then, the Green Knight takes off his helmet, revealing himself as Lord Bertilak. Lord Bertilak vindicates that the first two blows were for the first two days in which Sir Gawain reimbursed Lord Bertilak the kisses from Lady Bertilak. However, the small cut from the third blow was for receiving the green belt from Lady Bertilak and keeping it from Lord Bertilak. Admitting his sin in lying and concealing the belt, Sir Gawain wears the belt to remind him of his dishonoring of his word. Men have many imperfections, included in these are trying to prove themselves worthy to others and lying or concealing things to ensure that