AboutTue Sorensen Expertise I am an authority on the complete works of Shakespeare, and can answer any questions relating to his plays, poetry and life. I specialize in interpretation, double-meanings and translation into modern language.
Experience I was a top-rated Allexperts expert on this same subject several years ago.
Organizations Former member of the Danish Shakespeare Society, as well as an active participant in the scholarly SHAKSPER mailing list.
Education/Credentials Three years of studying English literature at the University of Aarhus, Denmark
Expert: Tue Sorensen Date: 6/18/2008 Subject: British Literature
Question In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight what is learned about Sir Garwain's character from his speech in lines 343-365?
I am having a very difficult time understanding this one.
Thank you for you help.
Dayna
Answer Okay, a transcript of these lines would be this:
"If thou wilt allow me to come down from this bench and without fault leave this table and stand by thee there, and if my liege lady likes it not ill, I will come to thine aid before all this noble court; for methinks it not seemly that when such a thing as this is asked in this great hall, that thou shouldest deal with it thyself, though thou be eager to do so, when there are so many brave men about thee, on the benches, that, as I hope, under heaven, are not more precious than thou art, nor are they more able-bodied on the field, when there is any fighting. I am the weakest and most feeble of wit; and who seeketh truth knows that the loss of my life would be a small matter. I have no praise except that thou art mine uncle, and no goodness in my body have I except thy blood that flows in my veins. Since this affair is none of thine and I have first made demand for it, it falls to me; and if I acquit not myself comely, let all this noble court me blame.'
The knights whispered that day,
And all agreed the same
The king must yield the fray,
And give Gawain the game."
Gawain is displaying the qualities of chilvalry, such as graciousness and self-effacement. He first makes sure that the "liege lady" (i.e. Arthur's wife, Guinevere) will not be offended by his fighting the Green Knight, and then he says that it is not proper ("seemly") that the king himself (Arthur) should fight the Green Knight when he has so many good knights around him. Gawain thinks it proper to offer himself as the Green Knight's opponent, because since (he claims) Gawain is the weakest of the knights, it will be the smallest loss if he is killed. He has no reputation as a skilled knight ("no praise"), except that he is related by blood to Arthur, and that is the only thing that enobles Gawain. So the other knights talk about it, and agree that Gawain should fight the Green Knight instead of the king, to demonstrate his strength.
So in this situation Gawain is demonstrating both humility and bravery, and doing so in such a virtuous way that the other knights are convinced by his words, and will let him answer the Green Knight's challenge.
