Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

[ag11]

Hello,

I just came across the story of “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.” Sir Gawain’s honor and loyalty is tested in this story, and a few of the key characters at the end of the story are revealed to have gained powers by the use of magic. In fact King Arthur’s relative is a sorceress who gave the Green Knight certain powers by the use of magic. I like the fact that this is a story set in a Catholic England, however because of some of the characters in the story, I’m not sure if it is ok to read and enjoy. So is this ok for Catholics to enjoy?

Thanks

 

[Della]

It’s a fairy tale not real life. Unless you plan on practicing such magic, I wouldn’t worry about it.

 

[powerofk]

The book is fine. It (along with all Arthurian legend) uses magic as a plot device. Remember, the first Arthurian legends predate a Christian England (and the Merlin legends are older than Arthurian legends). However, Gawain and the Green Knight is full of Christian imagery. Gawain goes to Mass and confession, and is given three temptations - first by the flesh, second by the devil, and third by worldly needs (fear for his own safety). These are represented on his host’s hunt by his host as a deer, a boar, and a fox.

 

[jc4751]

For what it’s worth, Tolkien did a translation of it, so I would think there is probably nothing problematic with it.

 

[Della]

For what it’s worth, Tolkien did a translation of it, so I would think there is probably nothing problematic with it.

And he used magic as a literary device in his fantasy stories, as well. It’s simply a part of the genre and not to be taken seriously. White magic, such as used by Gandalf represents grace and black magic represents evil. They are stand-ins for these things so the story will take center stage and not be heavy-handed.