Gawain rises and (fi nally) prepares for his journey.
Unlike the Green Knight, Gawain is clothed primarily
in gold and dons full war gear. When dressed, Gawain
and his horse, Gringolet (“white hard”), make a stun-
ning picture. Both glitter with gold and rustle with
silk, and the ladies of the court sigh at their departure.
Gawain’s helmet is encrusted with diamonds, and he
is fi nally presented with a magnifi cent shield. This
shield is made of gules—pure red gold—and embla-
zoned with a pentangle (fi ve-pointed star) on the out-
side and a picture of the Virgin Mary on the inside.
The pentangle is carefully explained in the poem as an
important symbol. Dubbed the “endless knot” in
Celtic cultures, the pentangle symbolizes perpetual
loyalty. Moreover, each of its fi ve points stands for
another set of fi ve, creating an interlocking network of
“fi ve fi ves.” The fi rst set of fi ve stands for Gawain’s fi ve
senses; the second for his fi ve fi ngers; the third for the
fi ve wounds of Christ; the fourth for the fi ve joys
(Annunciation, Nativity, Resurrection, Ascension, and
Assumption); and the fi fth for the fi ve aspects of CHIV-
ALRY (generosity, chastity, loyalty, courtesy, and piety).
Finally securing his leave, Gawain rides off through-
out the realm, seeking the location of the Green Cha-
pel. Similar to the passage of seasons, two stanzas
compress this task, providing a general commentary
on Gawain’s exploits: He climbs cliffs; fords waters;
slays beasts; endures cold, hunger, and hardship; and
prays for Mary’s help.
Finally, on Christmas Eve, weary to the bone, and
nearly out of time to achieve his goal, Gawain spots a
formidable-looking castle. He approaches, seeking rest
and shelter, and is welcomed by the porter. After cross-
ing the drawbridge, Gawain is met by the lord of the
castle, who welcomes him heartily. The lord is a fi t and
handsome man who immediately settles Gawain in a
luxurious chamber. After resting and washing, Gawain
proceeds to a feast, where he is a model of courtesy. He
converses about the court, fl irts with the ladies, and
courteously consumes his meal. After dinner, the lord
invites Gawain to his study. There he has a chance to
observe the lady of the castle more clearly. She is “more
beautiful than Guinevere” (l. 945) and accompanied
by a foul older woman. However, Gawain notes the
great deference all pay to the elder woman and con-
cludes (rightfully so, as he will discover) that she is
powerful. Everyone plays games until bedtime.
In the morning, a Christmas feast is prepared, and
the household spends the day in merriment. Gawain
and the lady converse intimately together on a number
of occasions, as they do the following day, St. Stephen’s
Day, during still more feasts. St. John’s Day (December
27) witnesses the fi nal day of feasting and games. In
the evening, Gawain courteously thanks his host for
the hospitality and declares his intent to leave. The
lord attempts to persuade Gawain to stay longer, but
Gawain insists that he must leave. When pressed,
Gawain fi nally reveals that he is on a quest and that he
must fi nd the Green Chapel within four days. The lord
laughs in relief—his castle, he says, is only two miles
away from that chapel, and if Gawain will stay until
New Year’s, the lord will then arrange for him to be
guided to the chapel the following day. A relieved
Gawain readily agrees. The lord then proposes a fur-
ther arrangement: Gawain, he says, is not well rested;
therefore, he should remain in the castle resting while
the lord goes out hunting. At the end of each day, the
two men will meet and exchange whatever they gain
during the day with each other. Gawain accepts the
host’s proposition, and a bargain is struck.
The following morning, the lord and his men rise
early to hunt. Quickly they set upon the deer, letting
both the bucks and the fertile does pass at the lord’s
command. The scene then shifts to Gawain’s chamber,
as the lady slips into the room. The noise wakes
Gawain, but he pretends to remain asleep until the
lady approaches. As he blinks sleepily, the lady accosts
him, calling Gawain an “unwary sleeper” (“sleper
unslyʓe,” l. 1209) who is easily caught—not typical
behavior for a knight. She threatens to bind him to his
bed unless they can achieve a truce. Though clearly
uncomfortable, especially after she reminds him that
they are alone, Gawain manages courteous discourse
with the lady. Though she tries to cajole him into fur-
ther intimacy, Gawain reminds the lady of God and
her marriage and manages to divert her attentions.
Nonetheless, the lady manages to acquire a kiss from
Gawain as she takes her leave.
The scene then shifts back to the hunt, where the
lord and his men have just killed several fat, barren410 SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT