Biblical Allusions In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

The Green God Authors incorporate religious principles to set forth the moral characteristics and ideals expected of a person. Literary works are illustrated with biblical allusions to help express the message behind the plot of a story. The poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight integrates biblical beliefs to depict the views on human nature. In this work, Christian concepts are embedded into the poem to suggest the Green Knight’s characterization as God, a representation to test human nature’s fidelity. To begin with, the Green Knight, similar to God, bestows a trial to Sir Gawain in order to test his faith and loyalty to his promise. The beheading agreement made between these characters is organized to assess the truth to Sir Gawain’s knightly

He observes the progress of one’s journey and listens to people’s prayers. Similarly, the Green Knight secretly watches Sir Gawain through a disguise – Lord Bertilak. By disguising himself, the Green Knight could continue to test Sir Gawain’s faith by initiating another agreement. Unaware of the Green Knight’s presence, Sir Gawain is continually examined to discover the truth to his fidelity. Initially, Sir Gawain faces stressful and challenging experiences along his trek to the Green Chapel. Alone and enveloped by harsh winter’s cold, he “prays for God’s grace to save him” (Champion 418). Luckily, Sir Gawain’s prayers are heard when he uncovered Lord Bertilak’s castle amongst the woods. By humbly inviting Sir Gawain into the castle, pleas for safety and shelter from harsh conditions are answered, a depiction of God’s (the Green Knight’s) grace. Nonetheless, Sir Gawain’s hardships do not cease, but in fact, they continue to fall and weigh upon his shoulders. Once again, Sir Gawain partakes in another agreement, involving the exchanging of winnings. Human faith is yet again being tested, and once more fails to succeed. The affection of Lady Bertilak is arranged by the Green Knight himself as another test; however, Sir Gawain “fell short a little . . . and lacked fidelity” (Winny 4.2366). Fear of death encourages Sir Gawain to submit to greed. In order to continue living, he wears the Green Knight’s

Though God does grant forgiveness, it must be earned at a price. The Lord opens people’s eyes to the severity of one’s sins, which often leaves a person feeling ashamed. Despite having committed a grave sin against the Christian honor, Sir Gawain was forgiven by the Green Knight. He has “confessed . . ., admitted [his] fault, and done honest penance on the edge of [the Green Knight’s] blade” (Winny 4.2391-2392). No one has to continue to live with the guilt, but should at least understand their sin. Sir Gawain realizes that he surrendered to cowardice and learned “to give way to covetousness” (Winny 4.2380). The Green Knight fulfills his role as God by bringing to attention the weakness Sir Gawain possesses as a knight and as a human. The Gawain poet describes the significance of “God’s grace for the forgiveness of sin and the granting of salvation” through the Green Knight’s godly role (Champion