The Green Man at the Movies

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Here is Sean Connery as the “Green Knight” in the film “The Sword of the Valiant.”    In the story of “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,”  the Green Knight challenges a young Sir Gawain in a beheading game.  This game of life and death in the ancient Celtic poem/play is looked upon, by some critics, as the Green Knight as the Green Man.  Once again he is looked upon as bringing birth, death and rebirth.

The tale of “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” is also part of the Arthurian literature. The Green Knight appears in King Arthur’s court.  He carries a holly branch in one hand (the Holly King?) and a sword in the other and has come to test a young knight in loyalty, strength and bravery.   Some critics say he is there to help the knight grow spiritually.

It would take many scholarly thoughts and pages of literary criticism that would fill this blog to a yawning status — but, once more, the Green Man a.k.a.  the Green Knight is represented by a mysterious figure, one who represents birth, death and rebirth and also the constant battle of good vs. evil.