Sir Gawain and the Green Knight · Chapter
Fit IV explained
Gawain confronts the Green Knight at the Green Chapel.
What happens
Gawain confronts the Green Knight at the Green Chapel. The Green Knight feints twice before nicking Gawain's neck, then reveals himself as Bertilak de Hautdesert. He explains that the entire test was orchestrated by Morgan le Fay, and that Gawain's only fault was accepting the green girdle out of fear for his life. Gawain confesses his cowardice and covetousness, but Bertilak absolves him and gives him the girdle as a token. Gawain returns to Camelot, where the court adopts the green baldric as a symbol of honor.
Themes in this chapter
Truth and Deception
The Green Knight reveals the entire test was a deception orchestrated by Morgan le Fay and Lady Bertilak, and Gawain's acceptance of the girdle was a failure of truth.
Courtesy and Social Code
Gawain's adherence to the chivalric code is tested; his fault is not in discourtesy but in self-preservation, and the court's adoption of the green baldric transforms his shame into a new code of honor.
Sin and Redemption
Gawain confesses his sin of cowardice and covetousness, and the Green Knight absolves him, allowing him to return to Camelot redeemed.
Characters to notice
- Sir Gawain
Gawain flinches at the first feint, stands firm for the second, and receives a nick on the neck from the third blow. He confesses his sin of cowardice and covetousness, and wears the green girdle as a token of his shame.
- The Green Knight
Reveals himself as Bertilak de Hautdesert. He explains the three feints correspond to Gawain's fidelity in the exchange of winnings, and that the girdle was a test arranged by his wife.
- Bertilak de Hautdesert
Revealed as the Green Knight. He praises Gawain as the most faultless knight, absolves him of sin, and gives him the green girdle as a token.
- Lady Bertilak
Mentioned as the one who tempted Gawain and gave him the girdle, acting under her husband's direction.
- King Arthur
Comforts Gawain upon his return to Camelot and decrees that all knights of the Round Table shall wear a green baldric in honor of Gawain.
- Queen Guinevere
Present at Camelot when Gawain returns and the court adopts the green baldric.
Key passages
“This is the band of blame that I bear round my neck, This is the dole and the damage that there was dealt me, For the cowardice and covetise wherein I was caught; This is the token of the untruth that I was ta'en in, And I must needs it wear the while that I live”
Gawain declares that the green girdle is a symbol of his shame, representing his cowardice and covetousness, and that he will wear it for the rest of his life as a reminder of his failure.
Gawain's confession and acceptance of the girdle as a token of his sin.
“Thou art not Gawain, that so good is holden, That ne'er host overawed by hill or by valley. Thou that flinchest for fear ere thou feel any hurt!”
The Green Knight mocks Gawain for flinching, saying that the renowned knight should not show fear before a blow is struck.
The Green Knight's reproach of Gawain's flinch during the first feint.
“Cursèd be cowardice and covetise both! In you is villainy and vice, that virtue destroy.”
Gawain curses cowardice and covetousness, recognizing that these vices have corrupted his virtue.
Gawain's self-condemnation after the Green Knight's revelation.
“I shall hold it all heal'd, the harm that I had; Thou art confessèd so clean, and clear'd of misdeed, And the penance hast paid at the point of mine axe, That I hold thee as surely assoil'd of thy sin As if thou never hadst faulted since first thou wert born.”
The Green Knight forgives Gawain completely, declaring that his confession and the nick on his neck have fully atoned for his sin.
The Green Knight's absolution of Gawain's fault.
