Games of Sir Gawain and the Green KnightMany games are involved in the plot of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The Green Knight, Bercilak of Hautdesert, plays a "Christmas game" with Arthur's court in Camelot (line 283); Gawain's host's wife plays games with Gawain throughout the third section of the poem; Gawain views his mutual exchange agreement with his host as a game (line 1380); and all the events of the story are revealed as a game by Arthur's sister, Morgan Le Fay (lines 2456-2466). Throughout the story, the author also plays a mental game with the reader or listener. The "Christmas game" that the Green Knight comes to play with Arthur's court at the instigation of Morgan Le Fay provides the structure with which the plot of the entire story is maintained. Initially, the court considers that the knight came for a “naked competition” (line 277); when he reveals his intention to trade one blow for another, it seems like it would be an easy fight for an opponent to win, since no one expects the knight to survive a decapitation with his own axe. However, the knight picks up his severed head and leaves, revealing the seriousness of Gawain's promise to accept a blow in return. Arthur downplays the importance of this promise by saying, "Now, sir, hang up your axe" and returning to the feast. . (line 477) Arthur also downplays the importance of the fight before Gawain deals his blow to the knight, prophesying Gawain's eventual success: Keep, cousin, said the king, what you cut with this day. And if you handle it right, then easily, I know you will bear the blow it hits next. (lines 371-374) Although neither the reader nor Gawain is aware of the middle of the paper......h century or today, it is human and subject to failure as well. Gawain learned the Green Knight's lesson and communicated it to Arthur's court. I believe the author hopes that his audience will also take the message to heart. Works Cited: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight in The Norton Anthology of English Literature, Sixth Edition, Volume One. Ed. General. Mr. H. Abrams. New York: Norton, 1993. Works consulted: Bennett, Michael J. “The Historical Context” in A Companion to the Gawain-Poet, pp. 71-90. Derek Brewer and Jonathan Gibson, editors. Cambridge: DS Brewer, 1997. Putter, Ad. An introduction to the poet Gawain. New York: Addison Wesley Longman, 1996. Riddy, Felicity. "Pearl Jewellery" in A Companion to the Poet Gawain, pp. 142-55. Derek Brewer and Jonathan Gibson, editors. Cambridge: D.S. Brewer, 1997.