CharactersDescription
Sir GawainHe is considered the ideal knight who upholds every tenet of the code of chivalry. Sir Gawain is the nephew of King Arthur and a favorite among all the Knights of the Round Table. He accepts the potentially fatal challenge of the Green Knight to save his King from humiliation. Sir Gawain survives all trials in this adventure, but his folly of accepting the green girdle to save his life in case of mortal combat brings out his human weakness. Yet he is accepted back at the Round Table, and all the knights show solidarity by deciding to wear a green girdle as a reminder of this event.
Green KnightThe Green Knight crashes in unannounced at the Christmas celebration at Camelot. He brings the much awaited element of magic into Arthur’s party. He offers a deal to the Knights that no one volunteers to take. The Green Knight displays displeasure and mocks the chivalry of Arthur and his Knights. The beheading game he suggests sets the plot of the poem in motion. He displays supernatural powers as he rides away with his severed head. The Green Knight’s appearance is so terrible that it inspires fear in even the most courageous of men in Arthur’s court.
Bertilak of HautdesertBertilak is the archetypal hospitable host, and he treats Gawain with utmost civility at his castle. He goes hunting for three days while Gawain is at his castle and offers to exchange the spoils of the sport with whatever Gawain has gained on these days. Bertilak’s hunting scenes in the forest are juxtaposed with the scenes in which Sir Gawain is tempted by Bertilak’s wife.
Bertilak’s wifeShe plays the role of the beautiful temptress when Gawain is at Bertilak’s castle. Gawain’s chastity and loyalty are put to test by her attempts to tempt him. She partially succeeds in influencing him when she makes him accept the green girdle that has powers to save him in the face of mortal attacks. She is an important character in the poem because she is the one who brings out weakness in Gawain.
Morgan Le FayeMorgan Le Faye is the one who masterminds the events in the poem. She is Arthur’s half-sister and wants to disrupt the proceedings at Arthur’s court. She is an evil sorceress who disguises herself as an old and ugly lady who serves Lady Bertilak. Her ugliness helps highlight the beauty of Lady Bertilak.
King ArthurKing Arthur is renowned for being the most courteous among the Knights of the Round Table. He is portrayed as courageous and one who honors the code of chivalry. He is ready to take on the Green Knight’s challenge when no other knight steps up to accept it. He presides over feasts at Camelot and values his knights for their bravery and high morals. King Arthur is portrayed as the worthy liege lord whose knights are fiercely loyal.
Queen GuenevereQueen Guenevere does not have any major role to play in the poem. She is seen in the first part of the poem participating in the Christmas celebrations at Camelot. She is the epitome of beauty and courtesy.
SettingDescription
CamelotKing Arthur’s castle and court is the setting for the opening lines of the poem. The Christmas celebration at Camelot is in full swing when the Green Knight enters and offers a strange challenge to all at Arthur’s court.
Bertilak’s CastleThe castle is the place where Gawain’s adherence to the code of chivalry is put to test. Gawain reaches this castle when he is out in search of the Green Chapel. Bertilak, under the influence of Morgan Le Faye, manipulates the game to test Gawain’s moral values.
The Green ChapelThe Green Chapel is the place where Gawain meets the Green Knight a year after the beheading at Arthur’s court. Gawain's fault is revealed and he is shamed by the Green Knight at the Green Chapel.
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