Gawain finds the Green Knight, and listens to the Green Knight sharpening his new axe. He and the Green Knight talk, and then Gawain bends over to let the Green Knight take a swing at his neck. However, just before the blow falls he flinches. The poet writes, "...and sensing its sharpness, Gawain shrank at the shoulders" (2267). Despite seeming to be so chivalrous, Gawain still fliches away from death. This shows how, despite being "the perfect knight," he still has his faults. This is true of everyone. It also reinforces the old adage that "no one is perfect." Gawain then promises the knight that he will not flinch again, and the end half section ends with the Green Knight raising his axe once again.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (post 5)
In the first half of the last section of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Gawain sets off to look for the green chapel in order to find the Green Knight and fulfill his vow. Sir Gawain is resolute in his promise to fulfill his vow, despite several people begging him to save himself. He rides into a valley, and comes across a strange-looking knoll that he suspects might be the Green Chapel. Gawain scoffs, "'Green Church?' chunters the knight./ 'More like the devil's lair'" (2185-2186). Gawain is scoffing at this green hill where the knight supposedly prays. This shows how Gawain is ignorant of the danger that he could be facing. He also doesn't understand this knight at all, so he cannot begin to understand the knight's reasoning. This is one example of one of the reasons cultures class: both sides do not make an effort to understand the other's reasoning.
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4 comments:
I remember saying that Sir Gawain is a very shallow man and thinks of himself to a high extent, but now he seems to have changed, or reverted, to being honorable and honest. When he flinched at the axe coming down on him, I was actually happy for him because he discovers that even knights can have fears. The greatest moments are when people realize that everyone has flaws and imperfections.
I like your mention of the reason why classes clash and have tension. I agree that it happens when both sides don't try and understand the other. Misunderstandings seem to be the basis of most conflicts between anyone. If everyone made an effort to understand situations more we'd have less conflicts in our world.
I don't quite understand why he wanted him to swing the ax at him in the first place, but he was very brave to do so or just reckless. I don't know why the knight would hang around such an ignorant person who makes fun of his prayer spot. Great Job!
I totally agree with your reasoning on why cultures clash. Misunderstandings are everywhere in the world right now and they can be both large and small, but they all lead to a clash of some sort. The best way to stop these clashes is to stop misunderstanding each other. I'm not sure why Gawain was trying to let the green knight kill him, but if anything, I hope he stopped misunderstanding the green knight.
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