A 2021 film, ‘The Green Knight,’ directed by David Lowery, is based on the medieval poetic tale, ‘Sir Gawain and the Green Knight’ (14th century, middle English) by unknown author. Here is a portion, lines 485-490, which ends Part One.
And the day was delight, and was long, and was finally
Done
And now, Gawain: think,
Danger is yours to overcome
And this game brings you
Danger. Can the game be won?1
[Context: King Arthur, Queen Guenevere and their knights are at the Camelot round table amid their Christmas feast. In rides a green knight, unknown to all present, disturbing Christmas dinner, with a challenge. Is King Arthur or any knight present, brave enough to take the green knight’s axe and deal him a blow? Who accepts the challenge must agree to let the green knight strike a return blow in one year. Sir Gawain replaces King Arthur in accepting the challenge and promptly beheads green knight. To astonishment of all, headless green knight takes up his severed head which then speaks the words, “Gawain, be ready to ride as you promised; hunt me well until you find me– … Find the green chapel …” (lines 448 ff.). Green knight then rides off with head in hand and the feast resumes.]
Sir Gawain is bound by his own oath to find green knight in one year and let himself be struck by green knight’s weapon.
Interpretation
What do you think? Is life a game or a sporting challenge? Is life a great test conducted by God? To win the game, must one welcome death?
Bravery, courage, honesty (keeping your promise), how important are these virtues?
Footnote
1. Burton Raffel (tr.), Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (NY: Mentor, 1970), p. 62
Paul's Place for Writing 
I am amazed at the statement: “Green knight then rides off with head in hand and the feast resumes.” Did they consider the Green Knight’s visit a brief commercial break?
Thanks for your comment. It is remarkable that the court’s Christmas feast continued straightaway after green knight’s leaving, but they had handled green knight’s challenge properly, refusing cowardice and showing bravery. Here are some lines from the text, directly after green knight’s exit. “Arthur and Gawain grinned/At the joke, and laughed at the green man, /Though those who had seen him/Knew miracles had been sent. Arthur’s heart whirled in wonder, Yet he showed nothing, turned to his beautiful Queen and spoke courteously, but loud: My love, let nothing of this disturb you, These are things right and proper/For Christmas, and for courtly ladies and their knights, /Miming and plays, carols and laughter. /But now I can dine, I admit it; the marvel I awaited has come.” (463-475) Arthur and court were aware that something extraordinary had occurred.
Interesting indeed. Thanks for sharing!