Christian Elements in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Essay

Christian Elements of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was an epic story written during the Middle English period. When one reads this story of the great knight and his companionship to King Arthur, they usually think of the bedroom scenes, the games played, or the idea of chivalry. However, just like Beowulf, which was previously read and written on, one could see many Christian elements in Sir Gawain, as well. Here, this essay will attempt to show some of these elements and references to them throughout the Old and New Testaments.

As we take off in this story, the author begins to show these elements. His first Christian element could be seen as he writes Cried Noel anew, good news to men (line 65). This can be related to when the angel Gabriel spoke of Christs birth, otherwise known as Christmas, as this is where our story starts off. For instance in Luke, Gabriel speaks, Fear not, for I bring you good news of great joy (Luke 2:10).

And now for the bulk of the story, the knight, Sir Gawain. Gawain is often considered King Arthurs most beloved knight. He is Arthurs nephew and always by Arthurs side, no matter what the case may be. In this story, Gawain steps in for Arthur in the challenge of the game by the Green Knight, which proves a great decision as the rules of the game incur. Christian reference? Yes. Often in the Bible, there is reference to a beloved disciple of Jesus. This disciple is usually referred to as the disciple John. In Johns gospel, he often refers to this beloved disciple as himself. He speaks of this disciple whom loved Jesus, much like Gawain loved King Arthur. However, there is also speculation about Mary Magdalene being the loved disciple, even though she wasnt a disciple. Yet, she is always at the crucial points in Jesus timeline, but John was the first to recognize Jesus after his resurrection. Also, John is usually with Mary when she is at these points, just as in our story and others, Gawain is usually near Queen Guenevere. Therefore, here is the Christian reference with Gawain and Guenevere, and John and Mary Magdalene.

Yet another Christian element we see in this story is with Gawains shield, containing a pentangle. This pentangle is a sign devised by Solomon from the Old Testament. This symbol has many elements that can be Christian, all of which deal with the number five. First is Gawains faultless in his five senses, this could be seen as ones devotion to the Ten Commandments; although the numbers are different, they are somewhat related. Second, the five wounds that Christ suffered on the old rugged cross. Third and last, that Gawains force was founded on the five joys, which according to Middle English literature is the Annunciation, Nativity, Resurrection, Ascension, and Assumption, three of which are Christian and biblically linked. Also on Gawains shield, on the inner part, was the image of the Virgin Mary, the high Queen of heaven as referred to in our story.

Before looking at the second and last big Christian reference in our story, we should briefly look at the numerous amounts of prayers by Gawain and others; also, the few quotes, that can be interpreted through scripture. Obviously, we one reads the story, they will see all of the prayers discussed, however, these prayers arent significant enough to list. However, the interpretation of scripture should. The first was previously stated earlier in this essay, with the gospel of Luke. Our next example is when Gawain speaks when leaving the Green Chapel, May Christ this house maintain And guard it from mischance! (lines 2067-2068). To show some reference of scripture, one could look many places, but the easiest would be in Zechariah, But I will defend my house against marauding forces. Never again will an oppressor overrun my people, for now I am keeping watch. (Zechariah 9:8). Our last example that we see is when Gawain is speaking to the Green Knight and says, The Lord is strong to save: His servants trust in him (lines 2138-2139). Our cross reference to scripture here is seen in Psalms: The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him (Psalm 37:40).

Now, for the last and second main Christian element, or reference, in this story is the discussion of the downfall of man by women, related to Gawains downfall. Gawain uses references of Biblical figures from the Old Testament, but they are not similar to himself, therefore weakening his argument, until it falls apart with his comparison to David. Here Gawain speaks of how Eve enticed Adam to eating the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Life in Genesis, but the serpent had already lured Eve in, which excuses her actions. Just as Morgan le Faye, the Arthurian portrayal of a powerful sorceress, trained by Merlin, as well as half-sister of King Arthur. We see her appear in the last hundred lines, or so, and come to find out she is the old woman at the castle, enticing Gawain. Gawain then refers to Solomon and his many women who brought him down. Also of Samson, the mighty man of the Old Testament, who was brought down by Delilah. And last, David and his enticing by Bathsheba, therefore committing adultery.

So when one reads this story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and sees these passages, there is somewhat of a Christian element throughout this story. As of Beowulf, both of these stories can be dissected enough to pull plenty of Christian elements and references out of them, but here only a few have been discussed. So next time, take the time to find some of these elements not discussed and see what references that may come up with them.