Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Essay -- Sir Gawain Green Knight Essay

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight The poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight tells the tale of one of King Arthurs bravest and noblest knights, Sir Gawain. The antecedent spins this magical tale of heroism and adventure over the course of one year. During this year, the hero Sir Gawain undergoes a serious alteration of character. When Bertilak enters King Arthurs court as the mysterious special K knight, he sets Sir Gawains destiny in motion. Change, especially spiritual transformation, is a common thread running through the poem. The poet depicts Bertilak as approximately Godlike, and Bertilak plays a significant role in Sir Gawains spiritual transformation, through which he becomes more like Christ. Bertilak first introduces himself by making an astonishing catch up with into King Arthurs court. The poet describes the appearance of the Green Knight thus There hurtles in at the hall-door an unknown rider, / One the greatest on ground in growth of his frame / Half a giant on earth I hold him to be (l. 136-140). His forcefulness and size are the aspects of him that the poet first describes however, the concomitant that the huge knight is entirely green from head to toe amazes the court more. The actor notes that, Great wonder grew in hall / At his hue close to strange to see, / For man and gear and all / Were green as green could be (l. 147-150). The color green here may symbolize spiritual growth, although green sometimes suggests evil in literature. The Green Knight was especially fascinating because his physical appearance, as well as his apparent immortality demonstrated that he had ghostly qualities, and therefore was not entirely of this world. Throughout Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the poet port... ... depicted Bertilak, sometimes the Green Knight, with Godlike characteristics and supernatural qualities. At different times in the poem, Bertilak represents the wise, just, providential master of the castle, and is sometim es transformed into the mystical Green Knight. Both characters are essential for Sir Gawains transformation, which Bertilak manipulates freely. In a Christ-like sacrifice, Sir Gawain learns of his weaknesses, and experiences the process of spiritual absolution. In this poem, Bertilak, whom the author has granted supernatural characteristics, facilitates Sir Gawains spiritual journey for truth and complete transformation.Works CitedSir Gawain and the Green Knight. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. 8th ed. Ed. Alfred David, James Simpson. Vol. A. New York W.W. Norton & Company, Inc. 2006. 3 vols. 162-213.