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In stanza 74, fit III, the lady of the castle offers a magical, green girdle to Sir Gawain and explains to him that the wearer of this corset cannot be killed by any cunning on earth. Sir Gawain, amidst an ethical dilemma, accepts the gift and chooses to conceal it from Lord Bertilak. This passage contains three of the main themes of the story the inner and outer conflicts between Sir Gawain's ethics and desire to live, and the test of religion. When Sir Gawain is offered the girdle, his knightly principles are questioned. The honorable thing would be to reject the offer or bring it to the lord of the castle, but Gawain places the preservation of his life ahead of chivalry. The knight has withstood the ladys constant barrage of sexual advances, and kept his promise to the lord of the castle, but when the chance to save his life is presented, he snatches it up without a second thought.
This point is shown by the way the author puts Outright on a line of its own, emphasizing Gawain's quick decision. He is then ecstatic about the thought that he will survive his meeting with the knight the next day, shown by often thanks gave he/ With all his heart and might. Later, Sir Gawain finds three faults in his actions, the first being his cowardice in direct contrast to the main principles of knighthood, the second being his covetousness, his lust for life, and the third being his lack of faith in God. Even when it is shown that God has forgiven him by healing the wound on his neck, Sir Gawain still feels that he has sinned, and is not as willing to forgive himself. He decides that more atonement is in order, so he makes the decision to wear the girdle from then on, as a sign of his eternal sin, but even then he does not feel that he has been cleansed of his sin. He understands that he will be forced to bear the shame and disgrace of the sin for the rest of his life.
The observers opinions of whether Sir Gawain is forgiven are the complete opposite of Sir Gawain's. In the passage, it is mentioned that the lady kissed the constant knight. The question arises as to the authors meaning of constant. It is obvious that it does not mean that Gawain is constant in his moral decisions, as he just made an unethical decision.
It also wouldnt mean that he is determined or steadfast, for he just caved in to his want for life and threw his morals aside. Another improbable definition would be that of unwavering faith because he just gave up on God. It is possible that the author is being sarcastic, yet this has not been the previous style of writing. So what is the author saying by labeling Gawain the constant knight? A likely possibility is the authors disdain with the current conditions of chivalry and knighthood. He is mocking the misconception of the knights of King Arthurs court and offers the idea that it is more corrupt and conceited than commonly believed.
Therefore, being labeled a constant knight is the authors way of accepting Sir Gawain's decision, as it would have been standard with the other knights, though not necessarily condoning it. The question as to whether Gawain is right in choosing his life over his morals is mentioned when the Green Knight reveals himself as Lord Bertilak. The Green Knight feels that it was excusable for Gawain to accept the girdle, as his decision was well motivated. Sir Gawain did not fall due to lust for a woman or to the offer of a well-wrought thing such as the gold ring, but to his love of life, which Bertilak finds to be less blameworthy.
Lord Bertilak perceives Sir Gawain as a noble and honorable knight, and invites him back to his castle to celebrate the New Year. Gawain is let off the hook and sent on his way. When Sir Gawain returns to Camelot, he recalls his story, humiliated and humbled. The members of King Arthurs court, however, feel that Sir Gawain has done well and attempt to cheer the knight up. They do not feel that Sir Gawain has done anything immoral and let it pass as they continue their revelry. The third of the primary themes of the poem is the test of Sir Gawain's faith and devotion to God.
Gods presence is prominent throughout the entire poem, as he helps Sir Gawain and leads him on the correct path. Sir Gawain's acceptance of the girdle shows his lack of faith in Gods protection; he sees himself as a Christian knight, but, rather than trusting in Gods protection, commits a sin to protect himself. At this point in the story, however, there is no reason to doubt God - God had protected Sir Gawain during his journey, God had directed him to the area near the Green Chapel, and when Gawain needed a place to worship on Christmas Eve, God led him to the castle in the woods. Gawain remained pious as he refused his hostess constant advances, but when he is given the easy chance to save himself from the blade of the Green Knight, he forsakes God and forgets all that He has done to help him. In this aspect, Morgan represents Satan; using the lady of the castle as her puppet, she endeavors to tempt Sir Gawain and lead him away from God. When her original, sexual attempts fail, she makes a final effort by offering her girdle, using mans inborn tendency to protect himself at all costs.
Sir Gawain, in fact, needs little convincing; he allowed her to solicit him and let her speak. Whereas Gawain had previously thwarted all attempts of corruption, he has only a slight doubt about taking the girdle and lets the lady talk him into accepting it. By allowing the lady to press the belt upon him with potent words, he uses her argument to rationalize his taking of the belt. The potent used in the line seems to refer to the effectiveness of her words, as he has already convinced himself to take it, rather than to the powerfulness of her words. Her argument was just the final point that Gawain needed to have the courage to leave his principles and take the girdle. When Sir Gawain accepts the corset, he fails this test of faith, for he binds himself with this belt of green.
The green of the girdle is related to the evil associated with the Green Knight and signifies the wrong choice that Sir Gawain makes. This decision is only a minor sin though; when the truth about the Green Knight is revealed, Sir Gawain is repentant, and his penance is served through the knick of Bertilak's axe. Though technically Gawain fails the test when he gives into the ladys temptations, he does well enough to pass in Gods eyes. As mentioned before, Sir Gawain is forgiven by God, as shown by the healing of the axe wound.
The combination of these three themes creates a complex moral dilemma for the antagonist, Sir Gawain. This perplexity asks the question of life versus religion; is it acceptable to forsake God to save ones own life? In the poem, obviously, it would have been wiser for Gawain to have denied the gift of the girdle; denial of the offering would have been the more ethical, socially acceptable, and pious choice to make. Sir Gawain's acquisition of the present is accepted by others and by God as only a minor fault, and that is the authors point.
When confronted with a complicated decision, the person making the judgment will always be either supported or forgiven by his peers and by God; that person must appease themselves, however, and make the decision that he or she feels is ethically and morally correct.
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Research essay sample on Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Stanza 74
