King Arthur Percival Short Story

Throughout this story, Sir Gawain has shown his great personality, and his commitment to being a true knight. He proved that he was humble, self-disciplined, truthful, and had integrity. Gawain woke up one morning to find that the host's wife had crept in the room, and sat on his bed. She jokes that she had snuck in and captured him. Gawain plays along, until the wife tries to talk him into engaging sexually. Gawain continuously denies her requests politely. The Wife says that she would have married him instead if she could have. Sir Gawain was humble and expresses that her husband is a better man. she finally gives up, but requests a kiss. She continues this for the next two days, yet Gawain contains himself, and keeps his mind and body pure,

Lennie vociferated into his shirt, “I’s never meant no harm, George. I’s swear it, by God. It was her hair, and it was so soft and so pretty..” he howled louder,

Arthur cringed. “If I wasn’t so desperate for advice, we’d be back in the castle already.” The king couldn’t meet Gwaine’s eye, but he told his story.

Our attention now turns towards Gawain, who is still asleep in bed. He awakes to find the lord's wife entering his room; surprised, he quickly pretends he's asleep. She sits beside him on the bed, pins him down and points out that her lord is away and the rest of the castle is asleep. This is the first test Gawain faces, where he is tempted to break his knightly code of honor. The wife offers herself to him for sexual pleasure. Gawain is tempted by this offer but fends off her aggressive attempt by politely declining, stating that she is "bound to a better man."(228)

sneaks into Gawain room and tries to seduce him but Gawain pushes her off. He shows respect

On the first day the host sets forth to hunt deer with his knights and Gawain stays in to rest. As Gawain laid resting on the bed the host’s wife walks in and he pretends to be asleep as she tries to talk to him. She

Gawain maintains the loyalty he is well-known for when he agrees to marry Dame Ragnell to preserve Arthur's life and honor. After Gawain marries Dame Ragnell, she asks him to "shew me your cortesy in bed.". Gawain says "I wolle do more /Than for to kysse, and God before" (482). As Gawain turns toward his new bride she transforms into a beautiful woman who says

“The only thing I've yet to achieve is two women in my bed at once.” Gawain leaned back against a tree, his hands behind his head, resting against his thick brown hair.

She also refers to Gawain as, “my captive knight”. This suggests that Gawain is in the submissive position, which is not typically how a powerful, male knight is perceived. Oddly enough, this is the case in medieval society. The lord is the master and the knight pledges loyalty to the lord and his lady. In this sense the knight is actually in a lower social position than the lady, and this problemitizes the typical gender roles. For instance, Gawain must tell the wife, “I am yours to command, to kiss when you please” in order to live up to the expectations of a courteous knight. His social role as a knight causes him to submit to this cunning woman. The lady is able to exert control over Gawain while still appearing submissive, because of Gawain’s conflicting social and gender roles.

“Get out of my sight, Arthur!” growled Guinevere. “And never come near me again, you arrogant… toad!”

By portraying Gawain as noble and honorable, the poet is able to shock the reader with actions that are uncharacteristic of a chivalrous knight. The first of these conflicting actions is obvious in the temptation of Gawain by his host's lady. This lady, the huntress, seeks to pursue Gawain in order to fool him into actions that contrast the knightly ideal. She will do anything to accomplish these actions in him, even through sexual temptations. With another man's wife pursuing him, Gawain must be courtly to the lady, but at the same time must deny her advances. This unavoidable conflict creates a fear within Gawain. Upon discovering that the lovely lady was approaching him in bed, Gawain lays a sleep, in order to "try her intent" (1199). This action reveals Gawain's fear that his host's lady is pursuing him. This unavoidable fear causes his failure of courtliness, for Gawain would have claimed a kiss from the lady, but did not. The lady ridicules him for this, even though, the situation was unavoidable. Gawain must abide by his morals and abstain from immoral thoughts, while at the same time being a courteous guest. Moreover, Gawain is forced to make a choice between courtesy and adultery, either of which would result in the dishonor of the lady ,his host, or Gawain himself. By choosing to return each of the following kisses received, Gawain is able

Here, Gawain is definitely not trying to avoid the woman. It is almost as if the night has changed him, because something would have to account for this dramatic change of behavior. His behavior here is much like that of a boar. Where Gawain does not physically harm the lady as a boar may, he is, as stated before, much more frontal and direct in his dealings with her. In showing this self-confidence far the first time Gawain has finally indicated to the

Gawain is willing to put his welfare on the line to save his king and friend. He says that he would be a coward and without honor if he lets King Arthur die knowing that all he must do to save him is to marry a woman, although she is quite disgusting.

Gloria: “And I--I--I have a feeling like you're just going to sit there and let me stew in it and I” (heh) I (heh, heh)” want more. (a seconds pause)” I want you to help me get rid of my guilt feeling. If I can get rid of my guilt feeling about lying, or going to bed with a single man, any of that, just so I can feel more comfortable. “

However, this is not the case. The next morning a whole different side of the lady is revealed which throws Gawain for a loop. The lady comes into Gawain’s bedroom before he even woke up and tells him that “now you’re caught! If not one arranges a truce, I’ll tie you to your bed-I will!” Being the gentleman that he is, he is polite but very confused.