The Promise

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a tale of the valiant and glorious knights that lived in the days of King Arthur. The anonymous author of the work starts off describing the lavish feast that Arthur hosts in his resplendent dining hall at "Christmastide" (37). Arthur refuses to indulge in the food together with his guests until his capricious hunger is sated with an extraordinary tale of might and combat. Luckily (unluckily?), Arthur's hall then receives an unexpected visitor. A tall green man intrudes on the feast by riding into the hall on his green horse. He then insults the occupants of the hall, together with their king, and requests that someone partake in his Christmas game in which he will stand a blow of the axe and exact the blow to the brave participant twelve months hence. Every knight in the hall seems terrified of the uncanny green giant and is hesitant to volunteer for such a game. But Sir Gawain, able and willing, accepts the challenge and saves Arthur's name. With a mighty blow, Sir Gawain hews off the head of the jolly green fellow with an axe. The Green Knight, decimated and bereft of his head, picks up his head from the floor and rides to the exit, instructing Sir Gawain to meet him at the Green Chapel at the end of twelve months. All are baffled at what has transpired, but since the marvel of the day has been seen, Arthur can now partake in the feasting. Sir Gawain is true to his word and goes out on the quest for the Green Chapel to meet his certain death.

Sir Gawain finds many impediments on the way to the Green Chapel. He is met with harsh weather conditions and battles wild men and many beasts of the forest when on the road. Around Christmas time, while riding through the cold and scary forest that is covered with a blanket of snow, he happens upon a "wondrous dwelling" that is situated in the midst of a remarkable green valley (764). There he is warmly greeted and highly honored by the lord and the subjects of the castle. On the first night of Sir Gawain's stay, the lord makes Sir Gawain promise to abide by his rules:

'Whatever I win in the woods I will give you at eve,

Swear now, sweet friend, to swap as I say;

And all you have earned you must offer to me;

Whether hands, in the end, be empty or better.'

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, 1106-1109.