We discussed this a little in class, but I think it deserves more discussion. Do you think that Sir Gawain's failure was really a failing? Do you agree with Arthur and the rest of the Knights of the Round Table in their response to Sir Gawain's story? Why or why not?
I personally do not think that Sir Gawain’s failure was really a failing. Sir Gawain is only human. I think that any human being would’ve have been scared and do the same thing he did, true he is a knight but life is precious. I do agree with what Arthur and the rest of the Knights of the Round table in their response to Sir Gawain’s Story because it shows how supportive and “human” they are. By all the knights wearing the green girdle shows how united they are. Everyone makes mistakes that they are ashamed of and it is a good thing to admit.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion Sir Gawain's "failure" wasn't really a failing. Even though he may have experienced a moment of weakness he still accomplished his task that was set forth to him; which was meeting the Green Knight to settle their 'game'. The readers have to remember that Sir Gawain supernatural like the Green Knight, but that he was human. And like any heman being they have experiences of emotions/feelings. I also agree with Arthur and the Knights of the Round table and the way they responded to Sir Gawain because they responded like anyone would saying they would have done the same thing, and that he shouldn't be ashamed of his actions.
ReplyDeleteSir Gawain's failure was not a failure to me, but it was for himself as a fearless knight. His ego shrank a little that day. I think it took a lot to go back to his castle and tell his people that he did not complete his job. As for the Knights of the Round Table, a number of big strong men wearing green girdles around the castle would be comical to see. Their understanding of Sir Gawain shows their respect for their fellow brother. They reacted with a united feeling of shame.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe Sir Gawain's "failure" was really a failure at all. In fact, it was not the game that he "failed" at in the first place; Gawain failed himself by betraying his knightly values. However, for a MAN facing impending death, what more is expected? Life is a very precious thing, and everyone is only granted one. Therefore, if there were any chance to extend one's life further, it is only natural that a human take up on that chance. After all, who's to say that it was not because Gawain had the green girdle that he survived? It's explained in the text that the Green Knight spares Gawain's life because he considers him an honorable person for his courtesy while at his castle, and his courage while partaking in the beheading game. But, because this girdle is said to have mystical powers, (which is not implausible given that Morgan Le Faye was behind the Green Knight), perhaps IT is the reason that the Green Knight "chose" to spare Gawain. The lady states the following about the wearer of the girdle: "There is no hand under heaven that could hew him down, for he could not be killed by any craft on earth." Perhaps the "powers" of the girdle go beyond the scope of protecting the wearer from physical blows, but also have the effects of dissuading others from harming the wearer. For if Gawain had not accepted the girdle, and kept his knightly virtues intact, perhaps the Green Knight would have considered him honorable enough to die by his own hand. The Green Knight may have considered death through the honor and courage of his game, a most noble death for such a virtuous knight.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe that Sir Gawain's failure was truly a failure. His life was at stake which any sane human would try to protect if they had the chance. Sir Gawain saw the oppurtunity to have his life saved so he took the girdle. I think Sir Gawain's shame comes from his weakness in believing every word of the Lady. I do agree with the king's response because they act as one and show their unity. They also represent how they are all capable of making wrong choices.
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ReplyDeleteI don't necessarily think that Sir Gawain's giving into the sexual temptation and accepting a "magical life saving belt" was necessarily a failure. It was very human behavior, but that does not take away from his heroic journey. He did many good things on his journey, one little mishap didn't change his entire course. He still finished the game as he was supposed to. He never once backed down. I think Sir Gawain is ashamed of his actions, which again is a very human emotion. Hero's are still human, even though we tend to have higher expectations for them. I agree with King Arthurs response to Sir Gawain's story, it shows the great respect they hold for him, despite his mess ups!
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that Sir Gawain failed at all. The hesitation at the beginning of the story was only that, a hesitation. Gawain had moments of weakness throughout the story where he didn't make the best decision such as; when he was with the host's wife. Gawain never thought twice about finding the Green Knight. Arthur and the Knights at the Round Table's response was what anyones response should of been. Gawain decisions were decisions that almost any human would make. He also did more than many other people would when he followed through with the Green Knight.
ReplyDeleteI think Sir Gawain was a very brave man. He never once thought about running away. I think that Arthur and the rest of the Knights of the Round Table responded very well to Sir Gawain's story. I agree with how they responded.
ReplyDelete@ everyone...so far I agree with everyone above me. They all feel that Sir Gawain's "failure" wasn't really him failing and just a simple mistake made by a mere mortal man at a time of weakness, and a decision to look after his own hide.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the story, I do not believe that what Sir Gawain saw as a failure was really a failure.I believe that he was very brave to go through with the beheading game and although he did use the girdle because he believed it would protect him, that does not make him any less weak or courageous. I think that the fact that he wore the girdle when meeting with the green knight only makes him seem more human in the minds of the reader. In the end of the story I was glad that King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table did not give Sir Gawain a hard time when they found out about the girdle. In my opinion, I believe that if any other knight had been in Gawain's situation, they would have done the same thing by wearing the girdle.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with trista.welch's comment. When a society thinks of a hero, sometimes the expectations we have for them are held at nearly impossible standards. Sir Gawain's journey was long, brave, and courageous. Mishaps that occured on his journey should not take away from the task that he, in the end, completed. As a knight who was supposed to be completely fearless, I can see why he felt the way he felt at the end of the story, but I do not see him as a failure; I only see him as a brave and respectable knight.
ReplyDeleteYes, Yvette Sir Gawain did what any sane human being would do in the face of death. He saw the chance to save himself by believing the lady and then by taking the green girdle without thinking about his knightly oath. He tells Bertilak de Hautdesert how much he hates how women have taken down the men throughout history. For the Knights of the Round Table all wearing the girdles, it shows that they are a united brotherhood.
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ReplyDeleteAt first I thought Sir Gawain had not really done anything wrong. I gave him the benefit of the doubt, that he was just in a bad situation (which he was). However, someone mentioned in class that he never got up and got dressed even though he knew she was coming each morning. And then I thought what an SOB. So yes; He failed in that aspect. I think that it was good that the other knights still accepted him. I don't think what he did was horrible, but I do think that he "fell from grace" with the temptress. As far as the girdle; He was just doing whatever he needed to do to stay alive.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the story I did not think that Sir Gawain's outcome was really a failure. He did not fail to complete his journey nor did he ever thought of backing away. Sir Gawain probably felt that he is a failure because he has high expectations of himself as a knight, as a hero, and in fact, probably a lot of people do too but the important thing is that, knights are human after all. The only aspect in which I think Sir Gawain failed is by purposedly waiting for the lady to come into his chamber each morning, and by allowing her to arouse so many temptations. Sir Gawain probably also felt that he failed by accepting the green girdle which can save him from death. I also do not think that this is an action of weakness either because, after all, he is human. Anyone would have done that when they know that their doom is for certain, like Sir Gawain in this poem. As for the knights of the Round Table, I think that they did the right thing by wearing the green girdles because it shows that they fully support him and did not think of him as a failure at all.
ReplyDeleteI think that Sir Gawain didn't fail. He is not perfect. Everyone makes mistakes and he is just human. Sir Gawain felt ashamed or he would have told the lord the the lady gave him her girtle. His guilt is a sign that he knew it was wrong. Yet, Sir Gawain still goes on to the Green Knight. I think that is a true knight. He still gets up and goes on, knowing he did wrong.
ReplyDeleteOh...I also think that everyone response was great. They thought that he was going to die. When he returned they were just glad to see him. Knowing themselves I'm sure they understood Sir Gawain's story.
ReplyDeleteI agree, in part, with Trista Welch. Sir Gawain falling to the temptation of the lady does not take away from his journey to the Green Knight. He did fail in that temptation, but his journey to the Green Knight continued.
ReplyDeleteI think that Sir Gawain did not completely fail in all aspects of the given situations. I believe he did the best any man could really do when tempted. I also think that Arthur and the Knights re-acted very well because no one else was brave enough to stand up against the Green Knight and they are supporting a man who did.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Yvette in that Sir Gawain did do the best that he could do as would any human being.
ReplyDeleteI agree with mary_tran. The way they described that Sir Gawain is only human. That Arthur and the Knights acknowledge his mistake and support him anyway, thus becoming united is a good way to describe it.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Gawain did fail. He failed his values, his reputation, his host, and everything his King stood for. I know today we don't think taking a girdle is that big of a deal but in that time it was a big feaux pas. I think the author used this obvious(for that time) failing to show that even one so noble and with such renown as Gawain is only human. The author is exposing the sinful nature of humans. However, that is not all that the author is trying to show. By the forgiveness of the Green Knight and the acceptance of Arthur's court the author is showing that failing is not all there is. That there is forgiveness and mercy to be had, no matter how far one falls.
ReplyDeleteI can see Donny Scotts point of view. If Sir Gawain would of been a bit smarter and instead of letting his lust and desire for the Lady's company get to him then he wouldn't have encountered the girdle in the first place. If he would have gotten up the second morning dressed and out of his room the second kiss and the temptation of the third day wouldn't have been likely to happen. Therefore ALL three attempts to kill Sir Gawain by the green knight would have saved Sir Gawain from shame.
ReplyDeleteSuccess is but failure turned upside down. Human nature has many flaws yet I would not consider self preservation one of them. If we were to consider Sir Gawain’s love for his life a failure, then must we also consider King Arthur’s a failure as well? (For he too loved his life enough that he let Sir Gawain take his place in the challenge.) The human psyche is such that the need to survive outweighs any other notion. To call Sir Gawain a failure is to call humanity such.
ReplyDeleteThe knights as well as the king reacted appropriately as they understood Gawain’s actions perfectly. They were genuinely happy when he returned as it was, in part, their fault he was faced with that predicament.
I’ll have to disagree with Grace Savage. Savage readily believes that Sir Gawain failed. She states that Sir Gawain fails “everything his king stood for,” and why? Because he loved his life so? I’ll take you back to the beginning of the tale when an impulsive King Arthur accepts a challenge out of shame. Doesn’t the king himself love his own life enough that he let Sir Gawain take his place? Doesn’t he in fact accept a gift, so to say, to save his own life? Where does that leave Arthur’s values and reputation and everything he stands for?
ReplyDeleteI’ll also have to disagree with Trista Welch when she states that Sir Gawain gave into the sexual temptation and accepted the magical life saving belt, as Sir Gawain did not give in to any sort of sexual temptation. The acceptance of the belt was as an act of self preservation, not an act of desire or lust or anything sexual in the least. It was not taken as a love token, it was taken because Sir Gawain genuinely believed the belt would deliver him. As for the rest of Welch’s statements, I agree. Sir Gawain is only human.
I agree with Grace when she says that Gawain failed in his values. He did, but then again it can be looked at as a victory because he was able to overcome in the areas in which he failed.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Sir Gawain's failure was actually a failure. I think it was a failure to himself, but not anybody else. I think Arthur's knights response to Sir Gawain I agree with it. I don't think he new that Lancelot was a sinful man. I don't blame him for not taking the torch with the other knights. I think this because every man has an opinion about things, and Sir Gawain had his opinion and expressed it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Leigh's post, because he is a human and they do make mistakes. I think everybody has there own failures in life they are ashamed of, and Sir Gawain did not fail. He just was ashamed of himself and he learned from his mistakes.
ReplyDeleteI think Sir Gawin is more of a hero for failing. It shows he is not perfect and flawless. He took his experience and learned from it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with S.Rodriguez that King Arthur and his court acted fine toward Sir Gawain and that Sir Gawain learned from his actions and is human.
ReplyDeleteI think Julie H. is right about Sir Gawain learning from his mistake and being more of a hero because of it. Pretty much everyone
ReplyDeleteagrees that Sir Gawain is a real hero.
Sir Gawain did not fail in my opinion. He may have been upset with himself, but this does not automatically mean that he had failed. I applaud the way the knights of the round table rally around Sir Gawain. This showed that the bond they share cannot be broken because of an unfortunate incident. They will be united as Knights of the Round Table until they are all dead and gone.
ReplyDeleteI do not think his failure was really a terrible failing. He at least held up his end of the bargain and didn't whimp out. He's at least man enough to acknowledge he messed up. I think King Arthur's response was great; Arthur and his men supported Gawain and didn't make him feel worse about it.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Sir Gawain both failed and succeeded in his journey to finding and battling the Green Knight. First, I agree with the fact that he partially DID fail in this challenge. Two characteristics of the "chivalric code" are honesty and loyalty, two of which Gawain did not possess while being tempted by the lady. He fell to temptation and deceived the lord at the end of his stay by not coming clean about his gift of the green girdle. To the contrary, I do believe that Sir Gawain succeeded more than he failed. Even though he failed miserably at the temptation game, he still proceeded to meet the Green Knight and did not chicken out in doing so thus, Sir Gawain gained the traits of strenth, bravery, and courage in the chivalric code and nonethe less proved himself worthy of being a noble knight. I agree with how Arthur and the other knights treated Gawain upon his return.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both Leigh and Grace. First of all, Sir Gawain is a human being, and we all make mistakes. He didn't fail to continue his journey after a few obstacles in the way which tested him as a knight. As for Grace's comment, I agree with what she said about how the knights of the Round Table forgives Gawain after he "failed". The important thing is that in the end he knew HOW and WHY he failed.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone the posted before this. Sir Gawain is human and he makes mistakes. The good thing is that he learned from the mistakes. I do agree with Donny Scott though. Although the journey to the Green Knight was not a failure, he did fail in the tempting department. She could have picked a different way to start his morning instead of waiting for the temptress. Besides the temptations, he followed through with his journey and kept his promise from a year before so I think that makes him stronger and braver than most.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what was stated by Yvette. Sir Gawain did not encounter a failure upon accepting the green girdle from the lady. He did so only in an attempt to save his own life. From the lady's words of the powers of the girdle, he saw an opportunity to save his life from experiencing an all too quick death. Therefore, it is only natural that he accept such a gift. However, to believe in something so far-fetched and so unnatural, is shameful in itself. Heeding every word of a woman he does not know, of a woman doing whatever she can to be deceitful of her husband, is a shame of a man so excelled in the virtues of a knight.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion i think sir Gawain was not a failure, because he was only human he did what any man would do that value life. I agree with the king and the other knights, because that shows how much they support each other and their loyalty towards each other.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with stephanie, he did fail and succeed in his own way because he stayed on his journey but he also fail on being truthful to the man that allowed him to stay at his home.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Sir Gawain did not fail. He is very brave for just going to meet the Green Knight for the beheading game. It was'nt easy finding the Green Knight. Sir Garwin could have turn back home soon as the first obstacle happened. This shows his strength. The other knights did want to battle the Green Knight. Sir Gawain wore the girdle, because he felt that it would protect him. Anyone would have taken protection with them if they knew they needed it. Gawain felt he was ready and prepared for the Green Knight. Sir Gawain is only human and everyone is not perfect. At the end of the story i agreed with King Arthur and the knights at the round table. I believe anyone would have taken the same precaution as Gawain.
ReplyDeleteI agree with mary-tran, Gawain is only human. He may have been a knight, but he has feelings as well. When a person is scared they will run away or try to protect themselves. This is only natural. Sir Gawain was respected by his fellow knights and King Arthur. This may not have turn out the way Gawain planed, but he still went through with the game. All the knights showed their resect by wearing a girdle. This was a honoring moment in the story.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that Sir Gawain was a coward. He was as noble as a human could be. His failure was human, and he admitted his mistake, apologized, and took steps so he would remember his shortcomings in order not to repeat them.
ReplyDeleteWe can all relate to making mistakes. As readers we can easily see where Gawain first took his wrong step (not immediately sending the Lady of the Castle away the very first time and subsequent times), but it is somewhat comforting to know that when we make mistakes, we can apologize, try to "make it right", remember our error so we don't repeat it, and eventually be forgiven by those above us.
I really like KDPeter's humor. I also agree with the post. I wish more people would be so forthcoming with admitting their mistakes and making them right, and having the people around them forgive and support them. We can all learn a lesson from this poem/story.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think that Sir Gawain’s failure was really a failing. Looking back to when Gawain took up the challenge that the Green Knight proposed to King Arthur was not him failing, but a responsibility that he felt he was destined to take. And the trials that he faced with no one he knew there to support him in his time of need were part of the path he had to follow. If anything I don’t see Sir Gawain as a coward but a human living up for what they believed in, and he believed he was a knight. After he knew the true nature why the Green Knight did what he did, his human and knight side became one. His human side realized he was not perfect and he was better off dead (judgment day-knight’s courage and bravery). I would agree with Arthur and the rest of the Knights of the Round Table response to Sir Gawain’s story, because they realized they would have probably fallen in the trap of the Green Knight’s Queen seductive nature and would have had to pay for their sins. Therefore praising Sir Gawain for is strong will against all temptation and admitting he was not perfect. As a result all the Knights of the Round Table wore green girdles as a new symbol representing knighthood overall.
ReplyDeleteUltimately, I agree with everyone who said that he was not a failure because as humans we are not perfect and able to say no to every temptation that comes our way. Nor do we come clean about the truth, making this a lesson learned for all of us that are lacking in this area. Or if the time arises that will take the chance to sacrifice our life for what we believe in.
Well I don't think Sir Gawain failed because in he showed up like he told the Green knight he would, and to actually kneel down to get his head chopped off showed that he has very brave. I defiantly agree with King Arthur and the rounded table with their responses, because I know that if I were in Gawains situation I would have wanted support from the person that I stood up for and was going to get my head chopped off for. It would be nice if people in this world would act as Gawain did and recognize his mistake, but in societies today it would be a miracle if some one did.
ReplyDeleteI agree with a comment made about how Gawain learned from his mistake, thus making him more of a hero. Realizing you've failed and trying to overcome it and do better next time is a heroic deed in itself.
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