Gawain says, "I don't have a story." This is the beginning of The Green Knight by David Lowery, a new film that uses the late 14th century Middle English poem Sir Gawain & the Green Knight. * The film's purpose is to give him one. Although the story may be very similar to Joseph Campbell's Heros Journey, which Hollywood screenwriters have loved since George Lucas created Luke Skywalker, it adds a darker and more mature tone to what has become a Hollywood clich.AdvertisementLowerys film, and the original poem, which is not known, both focus on what makes a knight. It is no surprise that the poem lends itself to Campbells formulas. Lowery mainly follows a Campbellian view of the story, which is to say that he views it as a story about personal growth. Gawain (Dev Patel), who is portrayed in the film, encounters either solitary characters or small groups of three in an almost empty landscape. Camelot is the exception. It's a bustling, busy, and eventful town in which Gawain drinks with a young woman (Alicia Vikander). He can't be a hero until he can escape all of those people.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Round Tables Christmas feast is interrupted by the uncanny Green Knight. Gawain takes on the challenge of a duel to prove himself and gain a story worthy to be a king. Gawain is not mentioned in the Arthurian tradition as being in line to inherit the throne. However, Lowry suggests that Arthur may be considering Gawain as a possible heir. Gawain chops off the head of the Green Knights, but the Knight just picks it up, muaha-haa-ing. Gawain is reminded that he must appear at the Green Chapel in a year to receive a retaliatory blow.AdvertisementSubscribe to the Slate Culture newsletter and receive the best movies, TV, books and music delivered straight to your inbox. Signing you up was not possible due to an error Please try again. To use this form, please enable jаvascript. Email address: I would like to receive updates on Slate special offers. You agree to our Privacy Policy & Terms by signing up. Thank you for signing up! You can cancel your subscription at any time.The poem covers Gawains journey on this trip quickly. Simon Armitages' excellent translation explains (in Simon Armitages's translation) How important these travels are/how much Simon Armitages is willing to spend on subjects such as peoples outfits. How Gawain was outfitted for his journey is covered in over 100 lines. Only a few lines are spent on the heroes encounters with giants and wolves. Lowery is no fool. He shows us the giants, and then expands the poem by having Gawain tricked by a motley band of brigands. They steal Gringolet, his faithful horse. He also helps the Welsh martyr St. Winifred's sad ghost by rescuing her skull from the bottom a spring. These actions teach Gawain chivalric lessons. He learns that it is wrong to trust men without honor and that it is wrong for him to ask Winifred for help.AdvertisementAdvertisementGawain finally arrives at Bertilak de Hautdesert. The entire third fit (or part) of the poem is devoted to his experiences at Bertilak de Hautdesert. The host suggests yet another game to trade: Hell will go hunting and get whatever he finds while doing so. Gawain can exchange whatever he gets from hanging around the castle for anything else. The poem alternates long, vivid scenes of Gawain hunting with scenes of Bertilaks woman resisting his advances. Bertilak offers him a kiss and he reciprocates. This interlude seems to be a meeting with two scheming swingers. Lowery's film removes the emphasis on the game and instead features a long speech by Vikander, the lady of castle, about the color green. It stands for decay, time and death. Gawain refuses to accept her green girdle or sash. However, he soon learns that it's enchanted and will protect his health. He then fails to pass the sash on Bertilak.AdvertisementLowerys describes Gawains encounter with the Green Knight at the chapel's leafy grotto as his final encounter. Gawain is transformed into an adult by giving up his last defense, the enchanted sword.AdvertisementLowery emphasizes this interpretation by suggesting that Gawains mother, Morgause (Sarita Chudhury), has summoned the Green Knight to court to challenge Gawain in a test that will make him grow up. It is Gawains aunt, Morgan le Fay, a sorceress, who is revealed to be the one who instigates Gawains adventures. She is constantly trying to destroy the Round Table's chivalric project and bring chaos into Britain. Lowry, like Campbell, views Gawains quest fundamentally psychological. However, the poem and culture that produced it were far more interested in Gawain's social impact.AdvertisementThis is why it is important to see chivalry as more than a code of conduct. It is a romantic ideology that aims to transform a small group of warlords into a nation or kingdom. Knights without chivalry are only strongmen who vie for power and seek revenge. According to Chivalryin theory they were to use their strength to help the weak and defend the faith. They also had to honor the promises and commitments that bound a larger, peaceful society together. This could be anything from helping allies to adhering to trade agreements and treaties. This is why trades are so prominent in the story. Gawain declares that honor requires him to give himself up to Green Knight. This is easy for someone living in a modern society ruled by law to see this as foolish and outmoded vainglory. It seems absurd that he would willingly sacrifice his life for such an act. In medieval Europe, honor was all that separated a fragile order from bloody chaos. While this is not to suggest that feudal Europe was ever a safe place to reside, particularly for the peasant class, it was better than being a constant state of local warfare.AdvertisementIt is important to see chivalry as more than a code of conduct.What was the offer of chivalry to knights in return for their willingness to do anything they wanted? One of the main incentives was status. The code of conduct known as courtesy showed that a man was a member the courtly or noble classes, above mere commoners and churls like the treacherous bandits who rob Gawain of Lowerys film. Gawain excels in the finer aspects of courtesy as shown in the poem. Gawain is particularly good at speaking with women, a skill that is just as important as prowess in arms. He must be able to talk to Bertilaks castle lady without offending her and avoid the disgrace of violating Bertilaks hospitality. Lowerys Gawain can be a bit of an ogre, as he takes his girlfriend along and drinks in pubs. It makes no sense that he would refuse this chance, but the Gawain, the poet, is no less a knight because he is a master of manners.AdvertisementThe Green Knight is often interpreted as an embodiment of nature. He shares the ability of plants to survive, even after their heads are cut off. His chapel is nothing more than a hole in ground. Gawain must travel north in order to find him. These regions are associated with primitive wilderness in British folklore, as opposed to the civilized southern. It is clear that Gawain, a young knight, has grown a little too sophisticated and must re-connect with the roots of knighthood's power: masculine violence, force, and a wildness that is central to Britishness. While a medieval king may not want his knights fighting constantly, especially with one another, he did want them to be able to do their job when they were deployed into battle.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementGawain's renown is not due to his feat of armour. In the story, the Knight of the Green Knighta Gimme is described by an unknown poet. Gawains' fidelity to his word, his tact and not his combat prowess are what are tested. These are social virtues that are sufficient to give Gawains the other great incentive that medieval knights received for their chivalry: fame, praise and respect. It's a tale.
