James Baquet

One of the best-known examples of Arthurian literature is the story of “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.”

England’s legendary King Arthur and his court are holding their traditional New Year’s Eve feast in Camelot. As custom dictates, the meal cannot begin until the king has been presented with an adventure.

As luck would have it, at this juncture in rides an enormous knight all dressed in green and riding a green horse. In one hand he bears a fine axe, in the other a bough of holly. He will not fight, he says, as none there is a match for his great strength, but instead he proposes a game: Someone there is to take his axe and strike at his neck. Then, one year later to the day, that same person will present himself to the Green Knight (for that is how he is called) at a place called the Green Chapel, and he will return the favor.

At first no one dares, but as Arthur himself is preparing to take up the challenge, Gawain, Arthur’s youngest knight and his nephew, comes forward. The Green Knight bares his neck, Gawain swings, and off comes the head!

The unfazed Knight does not falter, but instead remounts his horse after picking up his head, which speaks to remind Gawain of his promise before the Knight rides out of the hall. The party — and especially Queen Guinevere — must shake off their memory of the grisly sight before continuing their celebration.

The year passes swiftly, and as New Year’s Day approaches, Gawain sets out to fulfill his vow. It is hinted that he has many adventures before arriving on Christmas Eve at a splendid castle kept by a lord with a beautiful wife. Gawain’s fame has preceded him, and the noble couple are pleased to have such a renowned guest.

When Gawain explains his quest and asks if they know the location of the Green Chapel, the lord laughs and explains that it is less than two miles away, and he should take his leisure with them until the time comes.

Now, this lord proposes another game: He will go out hunting every day. When he returns in the evening, he will give Gawain whatever he has gained, and Gawain is to do the same for him. Gawain agrees.

We’ll see how things turn out next time.

Vocabulary:

Which word above means:

1. remove, be rid of

2. do the same for someone

3. hesitate, stumble

4. gets back on

5. not affected, undaunted

6. came before

7. famous

8. mission, task

9. relax

10. gruesome, horrible

ANSWERS: 1. shake off

2. return the favor 3. falter

4. remounts 5. unfazed

6. preceded 7. renowned 8. quest 9. take his leisure 10. grisly