why does th green knight forgive sir gawain in the end ?

Question

sir Gawain and the green knight

Answer 1

In the Arthurian legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the Green Knight ultimately forgives Sir Gawain because he recognizes that Sir Gawain is a brave and honorable knight who has fulfilled his part of the bargain.

In the story, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight engage in a game in which they exchange blows with an axe. Sir Gawain is able to strike the Green Knight with the axe, but the Green Knight does not appear to be injured. The Green Knight then reveals that he is immortal and will return the blow to Sir Gawain in a year's time.

As the year passes, Sir Gawain sets out to find the Green Knight and fulfill his part of the bargain. Along the way, he wears a green sash that protects him from harm and ultimately helps him to survive the blow from the axe. When Sir Gawain meets the Green Knight, the Green Knight recognizes that Sir Gawain has fulfilled his part of the bargain and has proven himself to be a brave and honorable knight. As a result, the Green Knight forgives Sir Gawain and allows him to return home.

The Green Knight's forgiveness of Sir Gawain is a testament to Sir Gawain's bravery and honor, and it serves as a resolution to the story, bringing the game to a satisfactory conclusion.

Best,

Erik L.

Answer 2

Great story!

 

Remember the last gift that the Lady gives Gawain is the scarf, which she says will protect him. He is supposed to give every gift she gives him directly toward Lord (ugh, forgot his name--the one who is also secretly the Green Knight!)

 

The only reason he doesn't give the scarf to Lord What's-his-name is that he knows the Green Knight is going to chop his head off, so he needs the protection. So Lord/Green Knight was just testing him, and his victory in the bargain/bet is enough--he knows that Gawain is brave and honorable, and now that Lord/Green Knight has had some fun with him, he lets him off the hook.

 

Good luck!

 

Matt in NY