Beginning
The story begins in Camelot on New Year's Day as King Arthur's court is exchanging gifts and waiting for the feasting to start. The king delays matters by asking first to see or hear of an exciting adventure. At this a gigantic figure entirely green in appearance and riding a green horse - the 'Green Knight'- rides unexpectedly into the hall. He wears no armour, but bears an axe in one hand and a holly bough in the other. Refusing to fight anyone there on the grounds they are all too weak to take him on, he insists he has come only for a friendly 'Christmas game'. The game is for someone in the court to strike him once with his axe, on condition that the Green Knight may return the blow one year and one day later. The splendid axe will belong to whoever takes him on.
characters:
Arthur- the king
Sir Gawain- youngest of Arthur’s knights and his nephew
Queen Guinevere-wife of king Arthur
At first Arthur himself is prepared to accept the challenge, as it appears no other knight will dare to speak up but then Sir Gawain youngest of Arthur's knights and his nephew quickly interposes and begs for the honor instead Taking the Green Knight's axe, he formally agrees to his terms and as the giant bends and bares his neck before him, neatly beheads him in one stroke. As the head rolls on the ground however the Green Knight neither falls nor falters. Instead he reaches out, picks up his severed head and remounts Then he holds up the bleeding, ghastly head towards Queen Guinevere and its writhing lips remind Gawain the two must meet again at the Green Chapel in a year and a day (New Year's Day the next year) for the return blow. Then he rides away. Joking together. Gawain and Arthur admire the axe, hang it up as a trophy and encourage Guinevere to treat the whole matter lightly
characters:
Bertilak de Houtdesert- lord of the castle where Gawain takes shelter
lady Bertilak
ugly old lady
As the date approaches however Sir Gawain sets off to find the Green Chapel and complete his bargain with the Green Knight. After many adventures and battles (alluded to but not described) Gawain, on the brink of starvation from his long journey, is relieved to come across a splendid castle. Asking shelter, he meets Bertilak de Hautdesert, the lord of the cattle.and his beautiful wife, both are pleased to have such a renowned guest. Also present is an old and ugly lady unnamed, but treated by all with great honour Gawain greets her and Bertilak's lovely young wife with equal courtesy. He tells them of his New Year's appointment at the Green Chapel and says that he must continue his search as he only has a few days remaining. Bertilak laughs and explains that the Green Chapel is less than two miles away and proposes that Gawain rest at the castle till then. Relieved and grateful. Gawain agrees
Before going hunting the next day. Bertilak proposes a playful bargain: he will give Gawain whatever he catches, on condition that Gawain give him whatever he might gain during the day. Gawain accepts. After Bertilak leaves, the lady of the castle, Lady Bertilak. visits Gawain's bedroom to seduce him. Despite her best efforts, however, and his unwillingness to offend her, he yields nothing but a single kiss.
When Bertilak returns and gives away the deer he has killed, his guest responds by returning the lady's kiss to Bertilak, without divulging its source. The next day the lady comes again. Gawain again courteously foils her advances, and there is a similar exchange of a hunted boar for two kisses. She comes once more on the third morning, this time offering Gawain a gold ring as a keepsake. He gently but steadfastly refuses this, so she next pleads that he at least take her belt or girdle of green and gold silk: this latter, the lady assures him, is charmed and will keep him from all physical harm. Tempted. Gawain accepts it from her. They also exchange three kisses. That evening. Bertilak returns with a fox, which he exchanges with Gawain for the three kisses - but Gawain keeps the girdle. The next day Gawain leaves for the Green Chapel with the girdle wound twice round his waist. He finds the Green Knight ready for him there, sharpening an axe, and as arranged, Gawain stands with neck bared to receive his blow.
At the first swing Gawain flinches slightly and the Green Knight belittled him for it
Ashamed of himself, at the Green Knight's next swing Gawain does not flinch, but again the full force of the blow is withheld. The knight explains he was testing Gawain's nerve. Angrily Gawain tells him to deliver his blow at once, and so the knight does, but only striking softly and causing a flesh wound on Gawain's neck. Having completed the conditions of the game Gawain is now free to defend himself from further harm, and at once seizes his sword, helmet and shield to fight. But the Green Knight, laughing, then reveals himself to be the lord of the castle, Bertilak de Hautdesert, transformed by magic. He explains that the entire adventure was a malicious trick of the sorceress Morgan le Fay. Arthur's mischievous sister.
It was intended to test Arthur's knights and terrify Guinevere. Morgan was the elderly lady, Gawain saw at the castle. Gawain is at first, bitterly ashamed to have been detected behaving in what he now sees as a deceitful and Cowardly way, but the Green Knight laughs at his scruples. The two part on cordial terms and Gawain returns to Camelot, now wearing the girdle in shame as a token of his failure to keep his promise with Bertilak and to fully follow the rules of the game The Knights of the Round Table, having heard his story, absolve him of blame and it is decreed that henceforth all will wear a green sash in recognition of Gawain’s adventure.
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