Christmas game At the court, I ask for a Christmas game: after all, now it is Christmas, and the New Year, and fun for the youths. (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, author unknown)
In golden times, which are told in this film narrative, the world was subject to the church calendar, and the days of the Nativity of Christ, the Resurrection of Christ and other significant holidays had the meaning of transforming the reality surrounding man. Sir Arthur had the custom on such days not to touch the exquisite food at a festive feast until he felt the joy of this transformation in the stories he heard or the military amusements he saw firsthand, distracting his eyes from everyday life and lifting his mind and heart to the sublime things - to the glory and courage of chivalry, to loyalty, love, mercy and other Christian virtues.
Oh Gawain, a guest at the Christmas feast! You have nothing to tell your king of the sublime, for your story has not yet been written in the glorious chronicle. Your mother is considered a witch, and her folly of witchcraft shuts her eyes on the great feast. “There will also be Christmas and feasts and joyful ones,” your mother speaks with presumption of happiness about the future, which no one knows except God. Oh, stupid woman! Do you think to tame the Green Knight with some green belt dressed in your boy? Do you think that this belt, a piece of cloth, will make him a hero, and not a courageous man?
Do you not know, woman, that the Green Knight, who, according to the director, embodies the pagan nature, has long been tamed by our Saviour? To play he came in the days of Christmas cheerful, and not to fight with beardless babies, for whom he reveres the community of Camelot glorious. And He demands not manly strength, not dexterity in battle, not endurance, but only faith in the Savior who conquered the world and gave us hope for eternal life.
Oh Gawain, your journey will take six days. Like Holy Week, these days will be full of temptations and knowledge of their weakness. Be strong, brave knight, and throw that belt – only by faith in the Savior will you conquer yourself.
7 out of 10
Original