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Sir Gawain's Challenges

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Sir Gawain faces numerous challenges in the story Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, written by the Pearl Poet. The challenges that Gawain faced are due to a Christmas game that is to trying to challenge King Arthur and his knights, the Green Knight. Throughout the troubles Gawain faces in the game and his stay in the Green Knight’s home, he proves himself to be a very honorable knight. Gawain didn’t have to participate in the Christmas game that the Green Knight purposed. King Arthur was the only one to accept the Knight’s challenge at first, because all of his knights were cowering from the giant green man. Gawain then proves his loyalty and bravery by taking the challenge for himself instead of having his king taking on the challenge. Gawain …show more content…

The Green Knight, without Sir Gawain’s knowledge, sends his wife to seduce Gawain and give him multiple lavish items. This giving the Green Knight a chance to sway his fate. Gawain promises to give the Green Knight anything he receives during his stay. Being the honorable knight that Gawain really is, he avoids the Green Knight’s wife’s advances. On the last day of Gawain’s stay at the Green Knight’s home, the game being only a day away, Gawain is offered something that anyone in his position would probably accept, a sash that would protect him from any harm. The right thing to do in his position would not to accept the sash, but Gawain was scared, and accepted the lady’s gift. “The knight cast about in distress, and it came to his heart. This might be a treasure indeed when the time came to take the blow he had bargained to suffer beside the Green Chapel.” (l, 227)Any person in their right mind wouldn’t want to be beheaded by a giant green man, so Sir Gawain’s acceptance of this sash is reasonable. Gawain’s fate was determined by if he stayed loyal to the Green Knight, and if he gave the Green Knight everything that he received during his stay. When the Green Knight finds out Gawain has the, he is extremely embarrassed. Gawain refusing to accept the Green Knight’s feast shows the reader Gawain’s guilt for not remaining loyal. “No, sir. I’ve reveled too well already; but fortune be with you; May He who gives all

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