The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle
Based on the loathly lady tradition, this romance begins with Arthur meeting Sir Gromer. Gromer traps him into agreeing to answer a riddle or forfeit his life – what do women most desire?Arthur then finds Ragnelle, an ugly hag who offers to give Arthur the answer if he can convince Gawain to marry her. Gawain agrees and obtains the answer – sovereignty.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
The alliterative poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight demonstrates Gawain’s propensity for honorable behavior as well as the problems inherent in trying to meet the conflicting demands of chivalry.He strives to remain loyal to his host by rebuffing his hostess’s advances. Meanwhile, he is mindful that he needs to be gentle in dealing with this lady so as to maintain his obligation to behaving courteously.
The conflict between loyalty and courtesy drives most of the action in this poem. Gawain relies on his chivalric duty to get him through a situation controlled by those hoping to push the boundaries of his integrity.
However, despite Gawain’s difficulties, both the Green Knight and King Arthur’s court credit Gawain with maintaining a position that walks the fine line between his various commitments.
By agreeing to these terms, Gawain demonstrates both loyalty to King Arthur and courtesy to the hag.
When he is presented later with the opportunity to have his new wife transformed into a beautiful woman either during the day or at night, Gawain follows the answer to Gromer’s riddle and leaves the decision to Ragnelle.
His courtesy breaks the spell that made Ragnelle into the hag, and they both live together happily.
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