The Battle of the Soul in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

"The Battle of the Soul in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" is an in-depth analysis of the theme of Psychomachia, which is explored in the 14th-century poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight." The author, Robert Tindall, examines the inner conflicts and spiritual journey of the protagonist Sir Gawain, which unfolds as a tragedy of human perception in the face of a mysterious infinite. By comparing it with earlier works of the Gawain poet as well as contemporary chivalric manuals and mystical literature, the complexity of Gawain's quest into the otherworld is illuminated. Tindall argues that Gawain's pride and his self-perception as a knight lead to his downfall, particularly after his trial at the block. This study provides a comprehensive insight into the themes of purity, confession, and unclouded spiritual perception that characterize the oeuvre of the Gawain poet.