Prayer, Humility, and Fate

Victoria smith (H) English 3 Mrs. Parsons September 24, 2012 Prayer, Humility, and Fate In the story, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Gawain is develop as a Christian gun through and through his reliance on ingathering and his humility which illuminates the theme that God controls fate. Gawain is developed as a Christian knight through his reliance on prayer. This trait is shown when Gawain is disconnected in a storm and does not know which way to turn. Gawain prays captain I beseech youfor some house where I may encounter Mass devoutly (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight 157, 159).Gawain demonstrates his dependence on prayer through this quote because it shows him praying to God for shelter in the storm and continually truism Cross of Christ, bless me (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight 761). Gawain is established as a Christian hero through this quote because he relies on prayer in order to complete his task because he realizes that he cannot do it on his own. Immediately after Gawain prays, God reveals to him a fortress just ahead. Gawains establishment as a Christian hero illuminates the theme that God controls fate because it shows God granting his request and granting him victory.This is essential to the development of the theme because it clearly shows God altering Gawains fate which sets the conformation for the rest of the story. Gawains humility throughout the story also establishes him as a Christian hero. In contrast to Beowulf, a pagan hero, who frequently bragged about his strength and superior ability Gawain, a Christian hero, is blue, often to the point of putting himself down. After Bertilaks wife finishes telling Gawain how abundant he is, Gawain responds I am all unworthyto presume to the reward you ascribe me (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight 1243, 1244).Gawain reveals his humility to Bertilaks wife by not talking himself up, but humbling himself and claiming himself unworthy of such spicy praise. Another example of Gawains humil ity can be frame when he speaks to Arthur following the Green Knights challenge saying I am the weakest and the least wise and in response to Gawains humility, King Arthur gives Gawain Gods blessing and allows him to take the challenge in his place (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight 354).Gawains humility is essential in his development as a Christian hero because the Bible commands Christians to humble numerous times including the verse found in 1 incision 56 which says, Humble yourselves, therefore, under Gods decently hand, that he may lift you up in due time. As Christians, it is believed that God will exalt those who are humble. This belief is clearly shown through Gawains humility and mastery as a hero hike proving the theme that God controls fate. Because of Gawains humility, and his reliance on prayer, God grants him success in the end and Gawain is exalted.