Having read several translations of "Sir Gawain and the
Green Knight," I cannot agree that Gawain's kisses delivered to Berilak are anything BUT
perfunctory. Gawain delivers the kisses to Berilak as tokens of the gifts of kisses that
his host's wife has given Gawain. Though her kisses are meant to seduce, Gawain refuses
to engage in any manner that is dishonorable; he partakes of the kisses in only the most
chivalrous and courteous way with his hostess, and shares those kisses in the same
manner with his host.
As a knight, chivalry is Gawain's
life's code. (It is also socially abhorrent to people of the time to deliver any kind of
disrespect or harm to one's host in honoring the laws of hospitality.) Gawain, remember,
is not just a member of Arthur's court, but the laws of chivalry that guide him are from
the Holy Church; on his shield he has painted a picture of the Virgin Mary, to keep him
true, honorable, and steadfast in his dedication to do the noble and honorable thing in
all situations.
When Berilak's wife
visits Gawain secretly, her intent is to seduce him. However, this is part of Berilak's
plan to see if Gawain is as honorable a knight as being a member of Arthur's court would
require, as well as being a soldier for the Church. Gawain presents a courteous kiss to
his hostess and a perfunctory kiss to his host. "Perfunctory" is defined as something
'performed merely as a routine duty; hasty and
superficial:...[with]
courtesy.'
Suggesting that there is
"queer eroticism" would make all the translations of this epic poem erroneous; it would
also destory the premise that this is a tale written in the tradition of medieval
romantic poetry, and I do not believe this is the
case.
Gawain is a man of honor and character. Berilak's
wife's kisses are nothing more than tests: she's not really interested in him. Gawain
answers her advances as courteously as he can, without any inappropriate action on his
part. And Berilak is only concerned in determining whether Gawain is an honorable man.
Gawain proves that except for concealing the "girdle" or "sash"
given to him by Berilak's wife to save his life, his honor is, for the most part, beyond
reproach—something even Berilak recognizes—and even in light of the hidden sash, his
host forgives the young knight.
I do not see anything but a
test here that Berilak believes Gawain passes. The Green Knight (Berilak) explains the
"test," and they part on good terms, though the noble Gawain is shamed by using the
girdle/sash to save his life. Even in this, Berilak is kind in his understanding of the
young knight's fear of death. Berilak and Gawain are both honorable men, and there is
nothing dark in a story that speaks of honor to one's code and to the Church's teachings
for its knights being anything but honestly and straightforwardly
presented.
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