Abstract:
The poet’s complex and ambiguous treatment of Gawain’s adventure leaves the nature of the heroic role continually in doubt, and the ending of the poem is designed to make us wonder whether Gawain has fulfilled such a role or not.
This article attempts to advocate a sympathetic reading of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, hereafter referred to as SGGK. I propose to show that Gawain, despite failing in his mission, is indeed a hero and that the circumstances he finds himself in, make it impossible for him to succeed.
