Answer:
Characters Description
Sir Gawain He is considered the ideal knight who upholds every
tenet of the code of chivalry. Sir Gawain is the nephew of
King Arthur and a favorite among all the Knights of the
Round Table. He accepts the potentially fatal challenge
of the Green Knight to save his King from humiliation. Sir
Gawain survives all trials in this adventure, but his folly of
accepting the green girdle to save his life in case of
mortal combat brings out his human weakness. Yet he is
accepted back at the Round Table, and all the knights
show solidarity by deciding to wear a green girdle as a
reminder of this event.
Green Knight The Green Knight crashes in unannounced at the
Christmas celebration at Camelot. He brings the much
awaited element of magic into Arthur’s party. He offers a
deal to the Knights that no one volunteers to take. The
Green Knight displays displeasure and mocks the chivalry
of Arthur and his Knights. The beheading game he
suggests sets the plot of the poem in motion. He displays
supernatural powers as he rides away with his severed
head. The Green Knight’s appearance is so terrible that it
inspires fear in even the most courageous of men in
Arthur’s court.
Bertilak of Hautdesert Bertilak is the archetypal hospitable host, and he
treats Gawain with utmost civility at his castle. He
goes hunting for three days while Gawain is at his
castle and offers to exchange the spoils of the
sport with whatever Gawain has gained on these
days. Bertilak’s hunting scenes in the forest are
juxtaposed with the scenes in which Sir Gawain is
tempted by Bertilak’s wife.
Bertilak’s wife She plays the role of the beautiful temptress when
Gawain is at Bertilak’s castle. Gawain’s chastity and
loyalty are put to test by her attempts to tempt him.
She partially succeeds in influencing him when she
makes him accept the green girdle that has powers
to save him in the face of mortal attacks. She is an
important character in the poem because she is the
one who brings out weakness in Gawain.
Morgan Le Faye Morgan Le Faye is the one who masterminds the
events in the poem. She is Arthur’s half-sister and
wants to disrupt the proceedings at Arthur’s court.
She is an evil sorceress who disguises herself as an
old and ugly lady who serves Lady Bertilak. Her
ugliness helps highlight the beauty of Lady Bertilak.
King Arthur King Arthur is renowned for being the most
courteous among the Knights of the Round Table.
He is portrayed as courageous and one who honors
the code of chivalry. He is ready to take on the
Green Knight’s challenge when no other knight steps
up to accept it. He presides over feasts at Camelot
and values his knights for their bravery and high
morals. King Arthur is portrayed as the worthy liege
lord whose knights are fiercely loyal.
Queen Guenevere Queen Guenevere does not have any major role to
play in the poem. She is seen in the first part of the
poem participating in the Christmas celebrations at
Camelot. She is the epitome of beauty and
courtesy.
Setting Description
Camelot King Arthur’s castle and court is the setting for the
opening lines of the poem. The Christmas
celebration at Camelot is in full swing when the
Green Knight enters and offers a strange challenge to
all at Arthur’s court.
Bertilak’s Castle The castle is the place where Gawain’s adherence to
the code of chivalry is put to test. Gawain reaches this
castle when he is out in search of the Green Chapel.
Bertilak, under the influence of Morgan Le Faye,
manipulates the game to test Gawain’s moral values.
The Green Chapel The Green Chapel is the place where Gawain meets
the Green Knight a year after the beheading at
Arthur’s court. Gawain's fault is revealed and he is
shamed by the Green Knight at the Green Chapel.
