Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (late 14th century) tells the story of a knight from King Arthur’s court who accepts a mysterious challenge from a supernatural visitor. What begins as a public display of bravery turns into a private struggle with fear, temptation, and the cost of keeping one’s word. As Gawain journeys to meet his fate, he’s tested in ways that reveal the tension between outer honor and inner truth.

• Fans of medieval literature
• Readers drawn to moral ambiguity
• Anyone curious about Arthurian legend

The identity of the poet behind Sir Gawain and the Green Knight remains unknown. Scholars refer to the writer as the “Gawain poet” or “Pearl poet,” based on the manuscript that includes this poem along with three others. In addition to Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the manuscript includes Pearl, Patience, and Cleanness – all notable for their intricate structure and moral complexity.