The Role of Women
I found it interesting the way women are used in the test of Gawain and Arthur's court. In lines 2415-2428, Gawain compares Lady Bertilak's temptation to the temptation of the Biblical characters Adam, Solomon, Samson, and David. Gawain, unlike these characters, was able to refuse a woman's temptation and earn godliness for himself and Arthur's court. Both Bertilak and Gawain have respect for Lady Bertilak and Morgan Le Fay's power but both acknowledge the temptation and power over men women hold. The dichotomy of respect and fear of women poses an interesting situation. The motto of the Order of the Garter, "Shame be to the man who has evil in his mind," hints at the Biblical theme of thinking pure thoughts (Matthew 5:29). Oftentimes, especially in the Hebrew tradition, women are the cause of these evil thoughts. However, in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the women are given power to wield over men (Morgan Le Fay has her magic and Lady Bertilak is part of the scheme of tempt Gawain). With these two women working against him, Gawain stood little chance. In Gawain's and Lady Bertilak's conversations, Gawain shows a great respect for the lady. I believe that it is this respect that saved him. He was aware of the power she held over him and continual praised her and diminished himself to avoid falling into temptation.