Sir Gawain and the Green knight (Part iv, lines 1998-2046)

Analysis of part IV

Echoing the opening of Part 2, Part 4 begins with a description of the passage of time and a general description of the atmosphere, and then how Gawain wears armor and leave the castle(Raffel 143). Though shorter and more somber tone, this second description residues earlier one and begins to bring a poem to an end. Harshness of winter, with howling winds and numbing cold, dark suits the mood of Gawain.

Date at which Gawain goes in search of the Green Chapel is important. In medieval liturgical calendar, January was first celebrated holiday of circumcision. (In Jewish tradition, circumcision took place exactly eight days after birth, so that the circumcision of Christ occurred on January 1, eight days after December 25.) Beheading of the Green Knight took place one year and one day earlier, on the eve of the circumcision, suggesting a parallel between Green Knight's head and the foreskin of Christ. This is the Green Knight in a position to collect himself after his decapitation recalled the Christian faith in the resurrection of Christ and the resurrection of all bodies after Yom Kippur. On the first day of the new year and the next day after the symbolic circumcision Green Knight's, the Green Knight Gawain punishes not behead him, but, slightly cutting his neck. This segment represents the cutoff as well, but it lacks the supernatural element of punishment, the Green Knight.

Gawain lay in bed during the early morning on New Year's Eve, listening to the strong wind wailing outside the castle. Before the sun rises, he rises and prepares to depart, put on his armor and ordering the servants to saddle the horse. Despite the alarming Gawain, his armor shining as bright as it was when he left Camelot. He does not forget to tie the belt around his waist ladies. Green belt stands out against the red fabric of Gawain's chainmail.

Then he threatens to Gawain, saying that the next blow will strike him. Evil, the knight tells Gawain to hurry up and strike, and Knight raises the ax last. He brings it down hard, but causes no harm to Gawain, except for a small incision in the neck. Gawain leaps away, drew his sword, joy, and the problems of the Green Knight to fight, saying that he promised to withstand attack. Danish Axe joins the Green ...