The Beautiful, Earthy, and Uncanny in ‘The Green Knight’

The power of ambiguity in retelling a classic Arthurian myth.

Whether book, movie, or show, I have always been captivated by the idealized world of Arthurian myth. My love grew even further after being introduced to the classic medieval renditions of the tales, which widened my understanding of these tales of Camelot, chivalry, grand adventures, and courtly love.

The Arthurian myths were stories told and retold by a number of authors throughout the middle ages (such as Chrétien de Troyes, Geoffrey Chaucer, and Marie de France). Among these numerous variations, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, written by an unknown fourteenth-century poet, is easily one of my favorite tales. (A24 has a good video summary of the story and its origins.)

The story begins at King Arthur’s court in Camelot, where holiday festivities are underway. As part of the celebration, the King asks for his knights to share tales of their adventures, with the greatest story being presented with an award. Young Gawain, nephew to King Arthur, is as yet unproven and has no such story to tell.

However, the scene is interrupted when a mysterious Green Knight appears and offers the knights of the round a challenge: Any knight of Arthur’s court may strike the Green Knight a…