PASSAGE ANALYSIS
 Part 3 lines 1454-1534
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The Second Temptation


Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was written in the fourteenth century by an anonymous poet who was a contemporary of Geoffrey Chaucer. The Gawain poet points out in the story the conflict between courtly love and spiritual love through the three hunts that parallel the attempted seductions of Gawain by Bercilak's wife.

This section of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight describes the second temptation Gawain has to face. The passage begins with a description of the end of the boar hunt. Hunting this wild animal is difficult, and it represents Gawain's reactions to the temptation posed by Bercilak's wife. The lord's wife is more aggressive on the second day:
"In hope of pastimes new
I have come where none can spy
Instruct me a little, do,
While my husband is not nearby." (Norton.ll.1531-1534)

But Gawain still resists the temptation as he represents the ideal knight: loyal to his lord and courteous to women:
"A man so well-meaning, and mannerly disposed" (Norton.l.1482)
"And you are the noblest knight known in your time;
No household under heaven but has heard of your fame," (Norton.ll.1520-1521)
Bercilak's wife is clearly seen in the Biblical role of the temptress. She symbolizes disobedience, lust and the dangers of the flesh. She is testing both Gawain's chastity and courtesy at the same time. Gawain is totally devoted to the Virgin Mary as her image is etched on the back of his shield. The Mother of God who represents his spiritual love guides and protects Gawain while Lady Bercilak tries to seduce him and lead him to sin in luxury and adultery:

"The lady, with guile in heart,
Came early where he lay;
She was at him with all her art
To turn his mind her way." (Norton.ll.1472-1475)

Due to Gawain's strong moral code and faith in the Virgin Mary, he does not surrender to temptation. The conflict between his spiritual love and courtly love becomes more intense as Lady Bercilak becomes more aggressive. Indeed, on that second day, she kisses him twice. However, Gawain still believes that chastity, loyalty and truthfulness are more important than courtly love. He is probably also afraid to sin, as he is so close to death. Indeed, a few days later he is supposed to fight the Green Knight. In this final battle, Gawain will face death, and the Final Judgment.

In this passage describing the end of the boar hunt and the seduction attempt of Lady Bercilak, Gawain still resists temptation, true to his reputation of chivalrous knight. Gawains desperately tries to balance chastity and courtesy, his worship of the Virgin Mary and his desires for Lady Bercilak.