The Idea of

The green knight

 Contents
1. 2. 3.
Appearance The green knight/ Sir Gawain and the
Of the. green Berdilak green
knight knight
 4. 5.
Is the green
Christ and the
Knight positive or
Green. knight
negative character?
 1.
Appearance of the green
knight
 The Green Knight is entirely green,
which includes his skin, hair, beard,
and clothing. He is described as a
very large man, which adds to his
imposing presence. This large size
contributes to the sense of
otherworldliness surrounding him.
The Green Knight rides a large, green
horse. This horse shares the same
green coloration as the knight,
emphasizing the encounter's
supernatural quality. the Green
Knight carries a huge and imposing
axe, which is part of the challenge he
presents to King Arthur's court. On
the other hand, he holds a holly bob,
which is a symbolic branch
associated with the Christmas season.
 2.
The green knight and
berdilak
 The placename element Hautdesert
probably means "High Wasteland"
but might also mean "High
Hermitage" (Old French haut +
Green Knight confesses that his Celtic disert).' It might even be an Perhaps the name
name is really Bertilak de adaptation of the name de la Desert Bertilak de Hautdesert
Hautdesert. or a deformation of the term
Bercilak, Bertilak, or Bernlak, desirete, either of which the
evoked these or similar
as he has been called by Gawain-poet could have picked up, traditional, literary
various scholars, may derive along with the name Bertolais, from anti-Round Table
the Old French Vulgate cycle of
his name from Celtic bachlach Arthurian romances, in which
associations for the
"churl" or bresalach "con- Arthur's enemy Bertolais, twice poet's original
tentious," or from Old French described as desirete audience.
Bertolais, rendered in the ("disinherited"), plays a role
Middle English prose Merlin as remotely similar to Bertilak's in Sir
"Bertelak. Gawain, and in which Claudas de la
Desert appears as yet another of the
numerous foes of the knights of
Camelot
 3.
Sir Gawain and the green
knight
 Beginning

• At the beginning of the poem, the relationship between Sir Gawain and
the Green Knight is characterized by tension and challenge. The Green
Knight arrives unannounced at King Arthur's court on New Year's Day
and presents a game in which he allows someone to strike him with an
axe, with the condition that they must accept a similar blow in return a
year and a day later. The challenge is initially met with silence until Sir
Gawain steps forward to accept it. The Green Knight's appearance and
challenge create an atmosphere of uncertainty and trepidation among
those present.
 Middle

• In the middle of the poem, Sir Gawain's journey takes him to the Green
Chapel, where he is to meet the Green Knight again for their exchange
of blows. During this part of the story, the relationship between Gawain
and the Green Knight becomes more complex. Gawain is anxious and
fearful about the impending confrontation. The Green Knight reveals his
true identity as Lord Bertilak, and Gawain learns that the entire
situation, including the challenge and the testing of Gawain's virtue, was
orchestrated by Morgan le Fay. There is a sense of tension and
ambiguity in their interactions as Gawain grapples with the moral
complexities of the situation.
 End

• In the end, their relationship evolves from a tense and challenging

encounter to one of mutual understanding and respect. The Green
Knight's role as a tester of Gawain's virtues and Gawain's growth in self-
awareness and humility contribute to the transformation of their
relationship by the conclusion of the poem.
 4.
Christ and the Green
Knight
• After Gawain beheads the • In the poem, the Green • Both Gawain and the
Green Knight, the Green Knight's actions can be Green Knight make
Knight picks up his own seen as a test of Gawain's confessions in the poem.
head and rides away, virtue, particularly his Gawain confesses his
indicating that he cannot be honor, courage, and failures, and the Green
killed. This act resembles truthfulness. This testing Knight reveals his true
the resurrection of Christ, of Gawain's character identity and intentions.
who was crucified and then aligns with the Christian Confession is an
rose from the dead. The theme of moral testing, important element in
Green Knight's ability to which is often associated Christian theology, as it is
survive his beheading is with stories from the associated with
seen by some as a parallel to Bible. repentance and
Christ's resurrection. forgiveness.
 5.
Is the Green Knight positive or
negative character?
 Overall, the Green Knight can be seen as a
morally complex character who challenges
conventional notions of good and evil. His
character serves to test the values and virtues of
the Arthurian court and, by extension, the reader's
understanding of honor and integrity. Whether
one views him as positive or negative may
depend on their interpretation of his actions and
their assessment of his impact on Gawain's moral
journey. Ultimately, the Green Knight's character
is designed to be enigmatic and thought-
provoking.
• The Green Knight's challenge presents an • The Green Knight's initial appearance and
opportunity for moral and personal growth for Sir challenge create an atmosphere of tension and
Gawain. His role as a tester of Gawain's virtues, fear in King Arthur's court. His demand for a
such as courage and honesty, can be viewed as a return blow in one year and a day is ominous and
positive catalyst for Gawain's character could be seen as a negative aspect of his
development. character.
• The Green Knight ultimately commends Gawain
for his honesty in admitting to accepting the green • The Green Knight conceals his true identity and
girdle and for his integrity in facing the motives until the end of the story, which can be
consequences of his actions. In this sense, the interpreted as a form of deception or
Green Knight's judgment and forgiveness can be manipulation.
seen as a positive influence.
 Thank you
For your attention
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