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Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Celebrating Christmas at kings Arthur castle is the privilege and duty for his faithful knights, whom he refers to as his brothers in arms. My name is Sir Gawain. Just like other nobles, Im required to serve king and to battle evil, whether mounted or on foot I used to look for challenges elsewhere, until the time when the challenge presented itself in the form of mysterious Green Knight, who dared king Arthur to cut off his head, on condition the he would do the same to a king, in one year of time. My king is the bravest man Ive ever known, but he couldnt afford taking unnecessary risks, since his life belongs to our beloved Britain.
At the same time, it would represent a blow to his chivalry honor, hadnt he accepted the challenge. My duty was to save kings life and to make sure that his reputation stays untainted; therefore I accepted this challenge and struck Green Knight with all my might, so that his soul could easily leave his body. Holy Mary and all bloody Saints! He simply picked up his head and walked away, reminding me the terms of the covenant before he left I realized that the mysterious stranger possessed a magic powers and this meant that I would have to face him again. Nevertheless, the life itself is not the most cherished thing for Arthurs knight, but honor. Even though, I knew for sure that I only had one year left to remain alive, as I was going to fulfill my obligation, it didnt prevent me from enjoying life to its fullest, until the time came for me to leave in the search of Green Knight.
He said he would be waiting for me at the Green Chapel The notion of inevitable death has given me strength to overcome all the obstacles that were meant to prevent me from reaching my final destination. It was surely the work of evil sorcerer that the numerous ungodly creatures attacked me throughout my journey. One time I had to battle the horde of black half-men, half-monkeys that had white shining teeth a horrible spectacle. Yet, they proved to be no match for my good sword, which helped me to deal with embodiments of evil in the way they deserved I slaughtered them all. The other time I faced a fire-breathing dragon, which appeared as being even harder challenge to deal with.
I managed to stick my sword in one of his eyes and when he gave out a cry, I chopped his head off. I dedicated this victory to king Arthur, the guarantor of justice in this land! There were other creatures on my way, which tried to divert me from fulfilling my obligation, yet Saint Bartholomew and Holy Mary never deprived me of their graces, and thats why I was able to prevail. At one point, I wanted to stop and pray, when I saw a castle in the distance. It was my duty to greet its owner, on behalf of king Arthur. The lord-protector of this castle has invited me to stay there for a few days and to rest, while he was going to hunt.
Then, we would have to exchange whatever we had acquired If I only knew what was going to happen, I wouldve left this place immediately. The greatest challenge was still lying ahead of me; I had to resist a sexual temptation, while being seduced by lords lady at the time of his absence. Three times he went out sporting, bringing his trophies back with him at the end of each day. Wicked lady wanted me to defy my chivalry code by having me yielded to my anomalistic instincts, thus betraying the host. Yet, I stood fast.
Nevertheless, she still managed to kiss me every time, before good Sir was returning back. I had no choice but to exchange his trophies for the kisses, Ive received from his lady. This never angered him, as he appreciated my respect of him more than her faithfulness. Just before I was leaving to continue with my quest, beautiful seductress gave me along with kisses, her girdle, which protects whoever wears it from death. In the moment of weakness, I accepted it, without telling my noble friend about this.
It wasnt too long before I finally reached the Green Chapel, which looked nothing like chapels Ive seen before rather cave in the rock. The Green Knight emerged from there, leaving no doubt that he was going to severe my head off. But now I had the powers of green girdle protecting me. He failed with his first attempt; still his persistence prompted him to strike me with his sword two more times, without any success.
When I finally raised my head, I realized that the Green Knight was the same person, who provided me with shelter at his castle. Thus, it was discovered that I cheated, by not exchanging this girdle for what he brought with him from his hunt, the last day I stayed in the castle. The numerous enemies I battled with, could never make me to step aside from my word of honor, yet the wicked lady caused me to do so I asked Green Knight for his forgiveness, but he didnt seem to be angry with me, he said that he simply wanted to teach me a lesson about the ultimate evil, which is hidden behind womens charm. Although, I was being forgiven by the Green Knight, I could never forgive myself, because of my cowardice, which I thought I was totally deprived of. In the gesture of spiritual admission of my guilt, I wrapped this ill-fated girdle around my hand and headed back to the to kings Arthur castle, while expecting to be humiliated by the rest of the knights, upon my return.
I strived for such humiliation, as it would purify me. Yet, when I came back, I saw other knights wearing girdles over their armor, as if they were trying to tell that they dont judge me. It took me some time to realize why they still considered my reputation as being untainted my purification had already taken place, thorough my desire to expose my weakness! When I think now about my quest, the thought that I almost failed gives my shivers.
But it is all behind now. From now on, I will not be quite as susceptible to the weakness, which disguises itself as virtue of love. The ultimate blow to ones honor is when he begins to act in womanly manner listening to his heart, instead of listening to his mind. The privilege of being knight corresponds to mans ability to be in full control of his own weaknesses, before going out on the quest.
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Research essay sample on Sir Gawain And The Green Knight
