Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

The Testing of the Knight

Sir Gawain accepts a challenge from the Green Knight to strike him a fatal blow, knowing he must accept the same strike a year later. Through his journey, Gawain faces tests of courage, honesty, and humility.

Archetype: The Test of Virtue * Focuses on the hero’s moral and spiritual growth through trials.

Symbolism: * The Green Knight: Nature’s untamed power, as well as a mystical initiator of transformation. * Gawain’s Journey: The inner struggle between pride and honor.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” by Julek Heller, an illustration for the book “Knights” by Deidre Headon (1982)