Gawain and a God

            Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is an Old English tale that defines what a "hero" was at the time of its creation and is a basis for which a "hero" can be determined today. Gawain is a man of honor and loyalty in King Arthur's Camelot court, one who puts others before himself--these fundamentals of Gawain's character hold true unto today's heroes, including perhaps the most wide spread of all, Jesus Christ. In secular analysis of Jesus' identity the similarities between Gawain and Jesus' heroic nature are prominent. Jesus, like Gawain, offers himself up for the sake of others and is the key figure in various myths and a sense of mysticism shrouds him. Yet, it is the responsibility and courage with which he acts, the vulnerability he displays, and the regret he harbors in the end that prove Gawain and Jesus' heroism to be so similar and thus, basic in their statuses as heroes.
           Responsibility and courage are the foundations on which Gawain as well as Jesus act. Both traits are required when heroes are forced to make the right decision as the right choice is the hard decision to make. Gawain exemplifies this reality when following through with the Green Knight's challenge. Moreover, before Gawain's departure there lies the possibility of his not maintaining what he promised; he could chose not to seek the Green Chapel or flee Camelot itself. However, Gawain is guided by the chivalrous principles of the era and thus carries out his challenge with duty and courage. His departing words to Camelot, "'Why should I tarry?' / And he smiled with tranquil eye; / 'In destinies sad or merry, / True men can but try,'" (Norton 126) display his reverence for his duty to his King as well as to the challenge he faces. His words show that Gawain is not confident in his ability to survive the Green Knight yet, Gawain understands it is his responsibility and there is no easy way out. Jesus handles his own predicament in a similar, heroic manner. This challenge of Jesus' is his crucification. Jesus is aware of the circumstances that lie ahead, but he does not attempt to escape or fight his fate. Instead, he makes the choice to remain and die, against his own human desire to live, because he understands it is his responsibility, a consequence of his actions, and one he must face with valor. Jesus and Gawain are strikingly similar in this way; both men face a life-threatening challenge with a sense of obligation and bravery, but there is more to their heroic characters than these foundations.
             Gawain and Jesus express vulnerability throughout their challenging times, adding to their similarities and embodiments of heroism. Gawain's vulnerability is expressed through his relationship with the Green Knight's wife. Regardless of the agreement made between the disguised Green Knight and Gawain, Gawain engages in informal meetings with this "gay lady" (Norton 139) and receives a green girdle that he hides from the disguised Knight. This failure of Gawain's to maintain his side of the agreement  and give the king his wife's girdle exemplifies his vulnerability at the time. He seems to be aware of this fault when he "prays to be taught / To lead a better life and lift up his mind / [...] and ask the Lord's mercy," (Norton 152). Gawain knows he made a mistake; however, it is this mistake that saves his life--the girdle is magical. Still, the reality that the typically honorable Gawain failed to uphold a promise exhibits this hero's vulnerability. Jesus is another hero that demonstrates vulnerability, yet in a different way than Gawain. Jesus is recognized as a God-like man, but that does not excuse him from human consequences: he is vulnerable to the criticism and cruelty with which he is treated. This vulnerability, although not personal as Gawain's, shows an error in the hero's armor that he cannot control and that hurts him in the end. Jesus is not liked by all and is subordinate to the law and thus is executed; Gawain is fearful of his seemingly imminent death and thus lies to his host. Both heroes' vulnerability contain elements out of their control. Furthermore, they exemplify how all, even the heroes, make mistakes and cannot please everyone; it is a similarity between the two that is both critical to their characters' as well as is important for the definition of a "hero."
            Gawain and Jesus continue to be similar in that they both harbor some regret after their act of heroism is done. Gawain's regret is a result of his vulnerability, the fact that he is not entirely truthful with his host, the Knight. For his dishonor in not keeping his agreement, the Green Knight is able to inflict a small gash on Gawain's neck, a mark Gawain is disgraced to bare. He describes the blemish as "'the sign of sore loss that [he] ha[s] suffered there / For the cowardice and coveting that [he] came to there, / This is the badge of false faith that [he] was found in there, / And [he] must bear it on [his] body till [he] breathe [his] last,'" (Norton 165). Gawain is disappointed in himself for his dishonorable deed; however, Camelot is merely thankful for Gawain's safe return. Gawain is the only one who regrets and hence, makes himself suffer. In retrospect, Gawain's regret is unwarranted as his situation at the time required such an dishonorable fault to be made: he either lies to his host King or to his host Queen. Therefore, perhaps Gawain's regret is uncalled for, just as the court of Camelot acts as it is. Gawain's regret is completely selfish; meanwhile, the regret Jesus harbors is much less personal. Jesus' regret is that of those whom he died for, a vague group of individuals indeed. That his regret is for others is a common thought, but it is important to ponder his potential personal regret, regret of self-sacrifice. It is clear Gawain regrets elements of his quest by the end of his tale, however Jesus' remorse is nebulous. Does he regret self-sacrifice? If yes, what is the real purpose of his resurrection, to live again, if only for a little while by his own means? Jesus' regret is more than just remorse, it is a mystery. Regret is an element of human nature, one that not even heroes are immune to but rather defined by. Gawain regrets his disloyalty and Jesus his untimely death; both heroes recognize their lives' imperfections and form a remorse that shapes their character.
           Sir Gawain and the Green Knight epitomize heroism of the story's era as well as lay the foundation for which a hero is defined today. The basic traits of Gawain that do this are those that are similar to Jesus' heroic character: responsibility and courage, vulnerability, and regret. Both Gawain and Jesus face their imminent deaths but mystically live to see another day. Yet, it is more than their mysterious abilities that defines them as heroes but their characters as described. They are very different men but the same in the most basic sense, allowing them to fit under the same word definition: hero.