Season 3 Podcast 81 Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Pt IV: The Ax of Justice

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part IV, “The Ax of Justice.”Part I is entitled “The Pledge,” in which Sir Gawain made a covenant with the Green Knight to come to his green chapel in a year’s time. Part II is entitled “The Quest,” in which Sir Gawain took the long and treacherous journey to find the Green Chapel. Part III, is entitled “The Three Temptations” in which Sir Gawain decided his final fate, not on the battle ground, but in his own bed in a beautiful castle that secretly housed his enemy. This is the final podcast in this short series. Part IV is entitled, “Justice,” in which Sir Gawain submits himself to the ax of the Green Knight. The journey into the unknown is a journey we all take. As with any Christian epic, the author strives to teach us how to prepare for that journey.Now the New Year drew nigh, and the night passed, and the day chased the darkness, as is God's will; but wild weather wakened therewith. The clouds cast the cold to the earth, with enough of the north to slay them that lacked clothing. The snow drave smartly, and the whistling wind blew from the heights, and made great drifts in the valleys. The knight, lying in his bed, listened, for though his eyes were shut, he might sleep but little, and hearkened every cock that crew.It is little wonder that Sir Gawain had a fitful sleep. On the morrow he meets the Green Knight who, by agreement, is going to chop off his head. A year previous Gawain chopped off the Green Knights head. Not knowing that the Green Knight was under the spell of Morgan Le Fay, Gawain assumed that the Green Knight would die when Gawain chopped off his head. Instead, the Green Knight picked up his head, and while holding his severed head in his hand, reminded Sir Gawain of his covenant to meet him in one year’s time to receive like measure.    He arose ere the day broke, by the light of a lamp that burned in his chamber, and called to his chamberlain, bidding him bring his armour and saddle his steed. The other gat him up, and fetched his garments, and robed Sir Gawain. And he left not the lace, the lady's gift, that Gawain forgot not, for his own good. Sir Gawain put all of his hopes on the gold and green scarf which he thought would protect him by magic. Sir Gawain puts on his armor, but in his fear, he transferred his faith from his helmet, his shield, his sword, his mail, his breastplate, and his boots to faith in magic. He discounted the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, and the shield of faith and put his hope in sorcery.When he had girded on his sword he wrapped the gift twice about him, swathed around his waist. The girdle of green silk set gaily and well upon the royal red cloth, rich to behold, but the knight ware it not for pride of the pendants, polished though they were with fair gold that gleamed brightly on the ends, but to save himself from sword and knife, when it behoved him to abide his hurt without question. Gawain follows his guide. The weather befits the gallant knight’s mood.   The two went by hedges where the boughs were bare, and climbed the cliffs where the cold clings. Naught fell from the heavens, but 'twas ill beneath them; mist brooded over the moor.