Sir Gawain, of King Arthur's Round Table, is challenged by a mysterious "Green Knight" to trade blows. Gawain is allowed the first swing of the axe if he will commit to a return blow from the Knight one year and one day later. After being decapitated by Gawain's blow, the Green Knight simply picks up his head and walks out. The rest of the story follows Gawain's chivalric duty to fulfill his oath to this obviously ungodly creature.
Part of the problem is that Gawain does not know where to find the Green Knight. On his journey to the home of the man, the Green Chapel, he encounters Bertilak de Hautdesert, the lord of a castle, and his beautiful wife. They know of the Green Knight are are very close to the Green chapel and so they invite him to be their guest until the deadline comes. On three occasions throughout his stay, Lord Bertilak makes a deal with Gawain before he goes off to the hunt. He will give Gawain whatever he catches as long as Gawain gives the Lord whatever he receives during the day. While her husband is away, Lady Bertilak tempts Gawain, but good and faithful knight that he is, he resists. The first day he allows her one kiss, the second, two kisses and the the third, three kisses plus a green belt that promises to save him from harm. He dutifully gives the Lord the kisses, while neglecting to mention from whom he received them, but in his fear for his life, retains the belt.
When finally confronted by the Knight, Gawain offers his neck. Three times the ogre takes a swing, the first two times, pulling his punch trying to reveal Gawain's fear. Failing that, his final swing results in a minor wound. The Green Knight reveals himself as Lord Bertilak and tells Gawain how the whole thing was a trick to test his quality devised by Arthur and his witch sister, Morgan le Faye. Ashamed of his deception, Gawain tells the Lord that he kept the green belt, but the Lord understands and generously sends Gawain back to Arthur. After Gawain tells his tale, the green belt becomes a symbol to the other knights to always be faithful and true.
The purpose of the tale is to teach the chivalric virtues such as generosity, love for one’s fellow man, spiritual purity, courtesy, and mercy. Gawain, as a young, unproven knight represents all us at the beginning of life's journey. We will be faced with danger and temptation, and we will certainly fail at times, but nevertheless, it is a journey. On the path, our virtues will be strengthened and tested. If we ultimately pass the test, even our failure will be seen as a badge of honor.
