After reading · Section 1

Section 1The Green Knight’s Christmas Game

Summary

After linking Britain’s legendary history to Troy, the poem enters Arthur’s youthful Camelot during its Christmas feast. An enormous knight, green in body, clothes, horse, and equipment, rides into the hall carrying holly and a huge axe. He says the holly proves his peaceful purpose, yet challenges the court to a “Christmas game”: one person may strike him with the axe now, provided that he can return the stroke in a year and a day.

When the stranger mocks the silent court, Arthur takes up the axe. Gawayne asks to replace his uncle, calling himself the weakest and least valuable knight present. The court agrees, and Gawayne promises both to receive the return blow and to seek the stranger. He beheads the Green Knight, who remains standing, retrieves his head, mounts his horse, and directs Gawayne to find him at the Green Chapel next New Year’s morning. After he departs, Arthur and Gawayne laugh; Arthur reassures Guenore, the axe is hung above the high table, and the feast continues.

Who’s who

• King Arthur — The young ruler of Camelot, eager for marvels and unwilling to let the court’s honor be mocked.
• Sir Gawayne — Arthur’s nephew, who humbly asks to take the king’s place in the challenge.
• Queen Guenore — Arthur’s queen, seated at the center of the high table beside Gawayne.
• The Green Knight — A gigantic green rider who proposes the exchange of blows and names the Green Chapel as their meeting place.