Green Dreams Are Made of This….remix with The Corrupt Businessman

 

In a world where giant, green men with very large axes simply stroll into Arthurian courtyards during Michaelmas...but can you imagine if there was more than one Green Knight? That’s a bit scary. This is probably my third time reading this story and this part is probably my second favorite; since I am quite fond of the whole “an honorable end for an honorable man,” so I like the weird ending. But this part always sticks out, because you know, decapitation. Yet even so “that scalp and skull now swung from his fist/…and it opened its eyelids, stared straight ahead/ and spoke this speech…” (SGGK 49). The supernatural way that he simply addresses the court like some headless horseman makes the story really come to life (no pun intended). 

However one of the most important questions to ask is: Why green? Why not a Blue Knight? Why are this Knight and his horse cantering into the great hall sporting this secondary color? The most common symbol for green is envy and jealousy so would that mean that this mysterious Green Knight is jealous of King Arthur, his court, his followers? So many questions, so little time. The first lines that tell of this unusual pigment in his skin: “Amazement seized their minds/ no soul had ever seen/ a knight of such a kind/ entirely emerald green.” (SGGK 30). There is an intended emphasis on “emerald” since it creates alliteration with “entirely” and with this the knight is put into a noble light since emeralds are jewels which would NOT be associated with a lower born person or even a small-fry knight. My guess is that this honorable green knight heard about all the brave deeds and heroic knights and their love of their king, he got real envious because he lives alone and forgotten in the corner of the world and he comes to the court because he wants to be noticed and talked about like the famous king. 

Also I feel like I should also talk about the other reading we had, “The Canon’s Assistant Tale” which was interesting in how terrible the people in it are. Especially the part where the “rascal canon” swindles a priest with his false alchemy. First of all that priest is way too gullible and a bit corrupt if he is all about making illegal money, probably for himself. And then the swindler, well, I have mixed feelings about him since he is obviously talented about his work and is renown through the town, but also he is a fraud. “That scoundrel canon, whom the devil fetch/ Out of his bosom took a seeming charcoal/ A bit of beech wherein he’d bored a hole/ In which he’d placed an ounce of silver filings…” (CAT 442). Obviously what the fraud canon is doing is horrible, and he is using alchemist pretexts to swindle wealthy, ignorant people who want to believe in magic, and a quick way to more money. Yet, in a way he is just trying to make money and survive, it is his livelihood, and he is good at it. Somehow I saw him more as a corrupt salesman.       

The Green Giant Who Forgot to Eat His Vegetables

When I first started to read the excerpt of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, I kept thinking of the Green Giant from the food isle. Green beans and corn anyone? Yet, I knew this was not the case and paid attention to how he is described. Knowing that everything about him is green, including his horse, I had a brief flash of one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. Death rode a horse, which was a pale-green color. The more I thought about it, I realized they are not connected. This knight is an emerald green with bits of gold or white ermine in his clothing.

After some research, I discovered several meanings behind the color green. Green symbolizes growth, rebirth, and renewal and is associated with harmony. It is a positive color, being generous, nurturing, and evoking thoughts of spring (Color Psychology). In religious circumstances, it is a symbol of resurrection or regeneration. On a different, note it is the color of the heart chakra, which connects the physical and spiritual worlds (sensational color).

Besides wearing green, the knight also sports a cloak with “all-white ermine” (line 155). The use of ermine suggests this knight may be of royal standing. Traditionally, ermine is a royal fur used to line crowns and robes of royal individuals (Wikipedia). It stands for justice and moral purity. In addition to this regal fur, the knight is shoe-less and his clothes are “embroidered as it was with butterflies and birds” (line 166). The idea of this knight as some magical fairy or forest dwelling creature comes to mind.

Yet, how does the symbolism of the color green, ermine and decorated clothing have any part in the knight’s challenge to Arthur’s court? I believe they give insight into the reason why the knight challenges the men. If this knight is to represent harmony, generousness and justice, then I  he challenges this court where they proudly brag of their accomplishments and bravery (lines 311-314). He has come to test their humanity, as overtime, their numerous victories have made them confident, proud, if not a bit arrogant. Then again, his coloring may only serve as a distraction to entice the men to challenge and defeat this unknown creature.  

In his attempts to restore balance to this group of men, the knight instigates their pride to arouse a challenger. I find it interesting how it is the weaker of the knights who answers this stranger’s challenge. Why does Gawain step up so that Arthur does not have to fight? If anything, I would say it is to prove that even the weakest among Arthur’s knights has a strong character. Gawain simply needed an opportunity to bring forth the strength he holds. Instead of physical strength, he carries fortitude and strength of mind where others fall short. The Green Knight’s arrival puts him in a position to test and prove his worth.