Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Lines 1372-1453 from The Norton Anthology of English Literature

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was written in the fourteenth century by an anonymous poet who was a
contemporary of Geoffrey Chaucer. The story was originally written in a Northern dialect. It tells the story
of Sir Gawain's first adventure as a knight.
This section of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight pertains to the agreement between Bercilak de
Hautdesert, the host, and Gawain. Bercilak is to go hunting in the morning, while Gawain sleeps. Upon
the return of Bercilak from his hunting trip, he is to give to Gawain all that he has caught. In return,
Gawain is to return all that he has won in his "hunt." They make this bargain three times, at the end of
each day.
The segment begins with Bercilak showing Gawain the fruits of his hunting trip. Gawain returns the fruits
of his "hunt" by bestowing on Bercilak akiss. The source of the kiss given to Gawain remains anonymous.
However, Gawain is not aware that Bercilak knows exactly where and from whom Gawain has received
his gift.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight consists of three hunts, three temptations, and three different animals. It
is not by accident that the first day's hunt is for deer. The deer represents the innocence and purity of
Gawain as a knight. The lengthy and detailed description of the hunt and the capture of the deer serve to
emphasize the symbolism of the deer. The even more detailed description of the slaughter and butchering
of the meat further emphasizes the symbolism. It can be inferred that the butchering of the deer is similar
to the fate that awaits Gawain when he meets with the Green Knight.
The next day's hunt is for a wild boar. The fierce animal is symbolic of Gawain's reactions to the
increasing advances from Bercilak's wife. The boar is fierce and much more difficult to catch and kill, just
as Gawain is steady in his resistance to temptation. Bercilak is aware that Gawain is resistant to all
temptation at this point. Gawain is true to his reputation of a chivalrous, worthy knight.
The third day's hunt is for the wily and cunning fox. This is symbolic of the clever way that Gawain resists
temptation. However, Gawain is tricked by Bercilak's wife into taking the Green girdle. The acceptance of
this gift represents Gawain's fall from perfect chivalry and knighthood, since he lies about it to Bercilak.
The language used in this passage from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is not particularly difficult to
interpret. However, it is necessary to have read the entire story in order to understand the this section.
WORKS CITED

Abrams, MH, et al. Eds. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. New York: W.W. Norton & Company,
Inc., 1993.

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