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Resources The Pearl Poet Themes of Gawain |
In order to satirize Gawain's courtly ways, the poet must first convey a sense of chivalric quintessence in Gawain toward the reader, only to later mock that sense of perfection with failure. This quintessence is created in part through the diction used to describe Gawain throughout the poem. He is described as "noble" and "goodly" on more than one occasion, giving the reader a positive perception of the poem's hero (405, 685). This sublime view of Gawain is further substantiated by his noble acceptance of the Green Knight's beheading game, in order to "release the king outright" from his obligation (365). Even among famed knights such as Yvain and Agravain, both worthy of exaltation, Gawain was the first to accept the Green Knight's terms. His acceptance of the beheading game when no other knight would allows the reader to assume that Gawain represents the most noble of Arthur's court. Lastly, even the Green Knight compares him to other knights as "pearls to white peas" (2364), a sign of his elevated status among men. By portraying Gawain as noble and honorable, the poet is able to shock the audience with actions that are uncharacteristic of a chivalrous knight. The first of these contrasting actions is apparent in the temptation of Gawain by his host's lady. This lady, the huntress, is a pawn of Morgan's, and seeks to pursue Gawain in order to fool him into actions that contrast the knightly ideal. She will do anything to accomplish these actions in him, even tempting him with "bosom all but bare" (1741). With another man's wife pursuing him as such, Gawain must be courtly to the lady, but at the same time must deny her advances. This unavoidable conflict creates a fear within Gawain. Upon discovering that the lovely lady was approaching him in bed, Gawain "lay feigning" sleep, in order to "try her intent" (1195, 1199). This action reveals Gawain's fear that his host's lady is pursuing him. This unavoidable fear causes his failure of courtliness, for Gawain, as courtesy calls, "would have claimed a kiss" from the lady, but did not (1300). The lady ridicules him for this, even though, for the following reason, the situation was unavoidable. Gawain must abide by his morals and abstain from adulterous thoughts, while at the same time being a courteous host. Moreover, Gawain is forced to make a choice between courtesy and adultery, either of which would result in the dishonor of either the lady or his host, respectively. By choosing to return each of the successive kisses received, Gawain is able to pass the first of the tests posed by Morgan le Fay. Yet even the passing of this test induces a conflict of morals within Gawain, revealing that his knightly edicts and supposed courtliness are of no use in a situation of adversity. The second action uncharacteristic of an ideal knight is Gawain's dishonesty, brought out in Morgan's second test. Realizing that his death at the hands of the Green Knight was inevitable, Gawain's thoughts of self-preservation dominated his actions rather than thoughts of honor. His acceptance of the girdle of invincibility from his host's lady exposes Gawain's fear for his life. A truly ideal and perfect knight would not keep the girdle in order to save his own life, because the host knight asked for an exchange of all things gained during the day. Yet at the same time, Gawain must obey the rules of courtliness, and accept the girdle from the host's lady. Therefore, Gawain willfully falls into an unavoidable situation, in which taking or denying the girdle will result in insult to his courtliness, his honor, or his life. Gawain is human, and does fear for his life. Therefore, he keeps the girdle in order to "escape unscathed" and "keep himself safe" (1857, 2040). Along with the choice of keeping the girdle comes consequences. By keeping the girdle rather than giving it to his host, Gawain fails to uphold his pact to the host Bercivak. This is a dishonest action, and is not indicative of an ideal knight. By not upholding his pact, Gawain disrespects the court that he represents. Lastly, Gawain's most profound contrast to an ideal knight, is his cowardice. Accepting the girdle is a choice of self-preservation over honor is cowardly, and mocks the court that he represents. Even more reprehensible is his cowardice at the Green Chapel, in which he is forced to receive a blow from the Green Knight. Even though Gawain possessed the girdle of invincibility, he still "flee[ed] for fear" and flinched when struck by the Green Knight's axe (2272). This is cowardly because Gawain is in no danger at this point, yet still flinches at the sight of the Green Knight's axe. His cowardice mocks Arthur's court and his so-called honor, and is in concordance with Morgan le Fay's plan to make a fool out of Arthur and his knights. Although Gawain's actions are not chivalrous and makes the court appear foolish, he learns a lesson from his actions. He realizes the disgrace in his actions, calling his own heart "cowardly and covetous" (2374). By taking responsibility for his actions, Gawain allows the reader to forgive him. This forgiveness is allowed because the conflicts within Gawain force him into situations that will result in unavoidable disaster. By showing the reader that even the best of knights is not perfect, the poet reveals that the balance between knightly morals, courtliness, and thoughts of selfishness is able to be breached.
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