Introduction
“Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” is an evident representation of the medieval age viewpoint of evil and good. The ideological conflict between the monstrosity of Green Knight, Bertilak, and Sir Gawain’s heroism makes the author’s precise definition and understanding of these two terms. Different parts of the poem show this ideological conflict and represent differences between evil and good. As Sir Gawain shows the path of the good who faces human weaknesses and fights them, the monstrosity falls under the necessity to use tricks and challenges to make the good fall under evil.
Character Introductions and Contrasting Descriptions
The first description of both characters is significantly different. The first chapter of the poem represents Sir Gawain as the most respected knight of Camelot and a paragon of virtue for the people. However, closer to the story’s climax, his heroism is challenged by his lie about the girdle.
In contrast, the color of the Green Knight, his mockery and disrespect to the Camelot court, shows the ill behavior of the evil person and, at some sight, monstrosity. Although being controlled by Morgan le Fay, Bertilak still falls under the description of evil by hiding the truth, tricking the faithful one, and challenging the good that a person has. As they both progress through the plot, they still possess hero and demon characteristics.
The Three Challenges: Testing Morality and Virtue
In the following chapters, both characters serve their roles of evil and good with the help of three challenges and the last fight. In this context, the Green Knight follows the Christian traditions of evil, being the one who challenges the honesty and kindness of the person. His tricks in the castle and the fear he forces on Gawain show the contrast in the hospitality and respect possessed by Camelot. On the contrary, Sir Gawain is showing the iconic representation of courteousness, honor, and competency through his denial of Bertilak’s wife’s attempts to make him fall under treason and lust. He stands as a hero who follows the chivalry code, both intelligently and bravely facing the challenges and tricks created by Bertilak.
However, Sir Gawain’s heroism is also represented in accepting his failure in the third challenge. The girdle that he starts wearing at the end of the story shows that the true heroic knight can put into question his public appearance to remind the shame he went through. The appearance of the girdle has a symbolic meaning to the whole poem, signifying the burden everyone can face. In the translation of Neilson, Sir Gawain points out the girdle, which is evil from “cowardice and covetousness” (50), he showed, as it also implies that anyone, even the best knight of Camelot, may fall under fear or greed. Still, Sir Gawain’s important lesson is to admit the evil inside and never repeat a similar mistake.
Conclusion
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight are archetypes of good and evil, taken from Christian traditions, and they have different definitions of heroes and monsters. The primitivity of Bertilak and the civility of Gawain are contrasted in the challenges and the final conflict of ideologies. However, there is still a victory of good at the conclusion of the plot, which also confirms the traditional narrative and contrast of heroism and monstrosity.
Works Cited
Neilson, William A. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Publications Middle English Series, 1999.