What challenge does the Green Knight make in "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight", who meets it and the result?

The Green Knight disrupts a feast in King Arthur’s court. The knights are enjoying a New Year’s feast and engaging in merriment when the Green Knight enters. The Green Knight proposes his game: the Green Knight will endure a blow from a knight if, in return, the knight will submit to a blow a year and a day later. The knights do not respond because they realize that the Green Knight’s game is sure to result in death. At this, the Green Knight chastises Arthur’s court for their cowardness: “Is this the court for its courage renowned” (ll. 309). Arthur defends the honor of his court by initiating an oral oath to take part in the Green Knight’s game. Before Arthur can fulfill this oath, Sir Gawain steps in and assumes Arthur’s place. In taking Arthur’s place, Gawain demonstrates loyalty to Arthur, his liege lord and assumes responsibility of the oath.

Somberly, Gawain plays the game by giving the Green Knight a blow with an axe, chopping off his head. The Green Knight, however, does not die. He simply picks up his severed head and demands that Gawain honor his pledge and meet him in the Green Chapel and submit to the blow in a year and a day.

When it is time, Gawain ventures in search of the Green Chapel. He comes upon the household of Bertilak. Here, Bertilak offers Gawain a place to rest. Gawain stays with Bertilak three days and, each day Bertilak goes hunting. Bertilak agrees to share his kill but, in return, Gawain is to give the host “what he gains” in the house each day. This proves difficult because Bertilak’s wife makes sexual advances upon Gawain. Gawain successfully resists the lady’s advances and manages to escape with merely a kiss on the first two days, which he gladly repays to his host. On the third day, however, the lady offers Gawain a green girdle which is supposed to protect Gawain from the Green Knight. Gawain’s fear causes him to take a green girdle from the lady, which he keeps hidden from Bertilak. In keeping the girdle a secret, Gawain breaks the oath with the host.

In the final scene, Gawain meets the Green Knight and is rewarded for his bravery and courage. Courageously, Gawain offers himself to the Green Knight. The Green Knight merely grazes Gawain’s neck. Here, the Green Knight reveals that he is really Bertilak (he was transformed into the Green Knight by Morgan LaFey) and the scratch is a result of Gawain’s acceptance of the green girdle.  Gawain views his escape as a reminder of his own fault and weakness. Although Bertilak and King Arthur’s court all seek to congratulate Gawain, the knight remains humbled by shame. In the end, readers are to celebrate Gawain’s super-human capacity of virtue but also remember that Gawain faults because he is, after all, only human.

What obstacles did Sir Gawain face in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight?

On his journey to the Green Chapel, it mentions briefly that he has to fight foes all along the way, along with every type of beast imaginable, even dragons and giants.  He suffered from sleet and snow too.  When he arrives at the castle, he has to overcome the temptations from the seductive lady of the castle; he resists, but isn't forthcoming with his husband about the sash.  Then, in confrontation with the Green Knight at last, he has to overcome his fear and face death unflinchingly.  Because he is able to, the Green Knight praises him and sends him on his way. 

All in all, Sir Gawain seems like an almost flawless hero, who overcomes all odds to live to tell a great tale.

As he continues on his merry way to track down the Green Knight Gawain stops off at a castle where he enjoys the hospitality of the noble lord Bertilak and his wife. During his stay, he's presented with a number of temptations which he must somehow resist if he's to stay true to his knightly code of honor.

The lady of the manor slips into Gawain's bedroom while her husband's out hunting and tries to seduce him. Gawain, however, resists her advances, remaining steadfast to the moral standards by which he's lived his adult life. To succumb to the lady's charms would represent an abuse of Bertilak's generous hospitality, not to mention an attack upon the noble institution of marriage.

Unbeknownst to Gawain, Bertilak is none other than the Green Knight himself in disguise. He knows that if he can tempt Gawain to break the knightly code of honor then he will be better able to defeat him in their forthcoming battle. That he's unable to do this bears eloquent testimony to Gawain's honor as a knight.

Nonetheless, Gawain is still a man for all that, and though he was able to resist the advances of Bertilak's wife, he couldn't resist putting on her magic silk girdle to give him an advantage in the forthcoming duel. As he didn't tell Bertilak about this, the Green Knight is able to get a free shot at Gawain, drawing blood from his neck on his third blow.

A flawed human being he may be, but Gawain is still by far and away the most valiant knight in the whole kingdom, as the Green Knight recognizes with due magnanimity.

How does Sir Gawain exhibit piety in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight?

In the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the character trait of piety is one that is listed among the five qualities that every knight should possess. It is one of the "fives" represented by the pentangle on Gawain's shield. The shield, of course, represents the ideal knight and, therefore, exactly what Gawain wants to become. Religious references other than piety are also heavily represented on the shield, which gives indication of Gawain's strong faith. For instance, he has an image of Mary on his shield to remind him of his strong faith, and two of the other "fives" on the pentangle represent Christ's five wounds and Mary's five joys.

Apart from the shield, many of Gawain's actions show a deep religious devotion. As he is traveling in search of the green chapel, he prays often for guidance. He is faithful in attending mass at the lord's home. When approached by the lord's wife all three mornings, he appeals to God for help and counsel. Gawain also believes that he must do some sort of penance to the lord for his unfaithfulness in his promise to him (after he takes the girdle, rather than relinquishing it at the end of the day), which demonstrates his belief in sin and the consequences of sin. Overall, Gawain can be interpreted in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight as a man who is heavily influenced in all of his decisions by his faith in and obedience to God.

The word "piety" refers to one's reverence and respect for things religious or for that which is in authority--but most often the word refers to being humble in spirit with the things of God and always paying one's respect to him. Sir Gawain is always paying respect where it is due, whether he is at home in Arthur's court or as a guest in a Lord's castle, he always respects authority and bids everyone to "go with Christ." This skill in virtue is part of the duties of being a noble knight. If at any time a knight forgets his manners or respect for God, he could be embarrassed or shamed which would be great dishonor to himself and to those he serves.

In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, how and where does Gawain show generosity?

In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the meaning of "generous" is important to note.

1. liberal in giving or sharing; unselfish; 2. free from meanness or smallness of mind or character; magnaninous

The first example of generosity I see on Gawain's part is his willingness to take up arms for King Arthur; he begs permission to stand rather than having Arthur defend the court against the Green Knight's challenge.

In the first book (section 15), during the Christmas feast, when no one else stands except the King, Gawain offers himself, which I see as a generous gesture.

Gawain, sitting by the queen,
could tell the king his mind:
"Lord, hear well what I mean,
and let this match be mine."

Gawain requests permission to take the match with the Green Knight from Arthur, and fulfill the challenge himself.

In Book Two (section 24), Gawain speaks to the knights who are so worried for them. Instead of feeling sorry for himself or making a fuss for his own fate, he generously comforts those around him, telling them not to worry on his account:

But Gawain said with cheerful face:
"Why shrink back from the quest?
Though fate bring glory or disgrace 
A man must meet the test."

In the second part of Book Two (section 35), Gawain is generous with his praise to those who have so kindly welcomed him to Bertilak's castle, and helped him out of his armor:

He nobly acknowledged each of those knights, 
proud men close-pressed to honor a prince.

At the end of the same passage, Gawain meets his host and is generous of spirit, calling down blessings on the man, and joining him in a friendly embrace:

"God bless you," said Gawain then, 
"And Christ repay your grace." 
They met like joyful men
in open-armed embrace.

As a "true and gentle knight," Gawain is generous in his manner with King Arthur, and down to the lowliest of servants at Bertilak's castle. While everyone looks to see if he will be a honorable a man as the Arthurian knights are rumored to be, Gawain is true to his oath to chivalry and Arthur's court.

How does Sir Gawain demonstrate loyalty in the story?

Sir Gawain is certainly loyal to King Arthur at the beginning of the poem. When none of the rest of Arthur's court is willing to step up and accept the challenge of the mysterious Green Knight, Arthur offers to do it himself, at which point Gawain stands up and asks to be allowed to fight. True to his word—and indicative of his famous and impressive chivalry and integrity—Gawain not only beheads the knight in service of his king but also agrees to meet the knight again in a year.

Later, Gawain also shows the depth of loyalty expected according to the chivalric code between a guest and his host when he agrees to the conditions Bertilak sets for him. Bertilak asks Gawain to render back to his host at the end of every day all the things he has received in that day, which Gawain duly does. He returns to his host even the kisses he has received, despite the fact that this could raise questions with Bertilak. He only falters in his failure to disclose the girdle Bertilak's wife gives him, believing that this could protect him when he faces the Green Knight once more.

How does Sir Gawain display loyalty and courage in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight?

Honor and reputation are important values in the medieval poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and are emphasized repeatedly throughout the work.  Among the examples of such emphasis are the following:

• When the Green Knight arrives, he deliberately challenges the reputation of Arthur and his court, as when he speaks to Arthur and notes (in the Marjorie Boroff translation) that

. . . the praise of you, prince, is puffed up so high,
And your court and your company are counted the best . . . (258-59)

The Knight will pose a severe challenge to the reputation of Arthur’s court.  In process of doing so, however, he will help both the king and the court learn the value of true humility, thus teaching them a very valuable lesson indeed.

• Later, seeking to respond to the Green Knight’s challenge, Gawain presents himself with false humility (354-55).Gawain knows that his claims are true, but by the end of the poem he will learn the difference between false humility and true humility, between a reputation that is merely claimed and a reputation that is genuinely earned.

• The episode in which Gawain is prepared for his journey (619-69) emphasizes the importance of the kind of honor and reputation genuinely founded in true Christian ideals.  Real honor and a truly valuable reputation must be rooted in sincere Christian belief and practice, according to the teachings of this poem.
• When the lady of the castle later tries to prey upon Gawain, she tempts him by emphasizing his great reputation for honor and courtesy (“Sir Gawain you are, / Whom all the world worships” [1226-27]). Gawain, however, skillfully fends off her efforts to play on his pride and reputation, asking her to “acknowledge me your knight, in the name of Christ” (1279; emphasis added).
• Throughout most of his dealings with the woman, Gawain is careful to protect his own honor and his own reputation for virtue by adhering to the Christian values of his day. Only when he accepts the offered green girdle (which he thinks can protect his life) does he violate those values and thus put his own honor and reputation at risk.
• Later, as he is making his way to the Green Knight’s “chapel,” Gawain is tempted, by the servant accompanying him, to renege on his pledge to journey there. The servant promises that if Gawain does renege on the pledge, the servant will not inform on him and will thus try to protect Gawain’s honor and reputation. Gawain, however, says that his honor and his trust in God will not allow him to take the servant’s advice (2118-39).  He does not mention, of course, that he is secretly and hypocritically wearing the protective green girdle.
• Later, after the Green Knight reveals that he knows about Gawain’s attempted deception, Gawain returns, deeply ashamed of his dishonor, to Arthur’s court. There he claims that once one’s honor has failed and one’s reputation has been damaged, no remedy is possible (2511-12).

Gawain has forgotten, however, the true meaning of Christmas and the true message of Christ: every person sins, and all sins can be forgiven. Every person violates his or her own sense of honor and potentially stains his or her reputation, but Christian mercy can repair both kinds of damage. Indeed, Arthur and his courtiers decide to wear green girdles themselves in order to share in Gawain’s shame, thus showing that they still honor him, and also showing that they willingly bin up own reputations with his.

In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, which lines show friendship and generosity?

In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, lines that denote friendship are:

Yet he lingered with Arthur past All Saints Eve
who set up a feast to send his knight off
with revelry rich as the Round Table offered.

And...

So much secret sorrow swept through that hall
that one so good as Gawain must go forth doomed
to bear the brunt of a blow and let his own blade
rest.

In both of these quotes, it is the friendship that the king feels to have a feast in Gawain's honor, and it is sorrow in the hearts of his friends—his fellow knights—that cause them to fear for Gawain's safety when he leaves them to travel to the Green Chapel to face the Green Knight.

"By Peter," said the porter, "be perfectly sure
that you, Lord, are welcome as long as you like!"
Then swift-paced the porter moved to approach him,
and others came with him to welcome their guest.
They dropped the great drawbridge, then drawing near proudly,
they bowed, their knees bent upon the bare earth
to one whom they welcomed as worthy of honor.

In the example above from Book Two, those who work at Bertilak's castle, as well as the lord himself, offer Gawain friendship and hospitality.

Generosity is seen with the following:

And then a rich robe was thrown around him
of brilliant, gaily embroidered silk
filled out with fur: the finest of pelts, 
and every bit ermine, even the hood. 
Thus he sat, relaxed and in lavish splendor, 
till he felt far better in the fire's warmth.

And...

And Gawain, I give you this belt, / As green as my gown...Keep this token for chivalrous / Men to know your adventure at the green Chapel.

Generosity is seen at the hands of Bertilak, his wife and his servants. They welcome Gawain gladly and care for him as a guest, as a friend of the castle.

Friendship is seen primarily with Gawain and his friends at Arthur's court, though I would suggest, too, that the Green Knight's forgiveness and admiration offer friendship as well.

How does Gawain exhibit loving kindness in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight?

Gawain is one of the most tactful knights ever to grace King Arthur's Round Table. Gawain is hailed as the most gracious knight in all of England and shows that with everyone he meets. He follows the rules of knighthood to a "T" and never misses a step. The first time we are introduced to his "loving kindness," as you say, is when he steps up for Arthur against the Green Knight's challenge. But it's not just the fact that Gawain steps up for Arthur that shows his kindness, it's what he says that is so impressive.

"I beseech ye, my lord, let this venture be mine. . .For I think it not seemly when such challenges be made in your hall that ye yourself should undertake it, while there are many bold knights who sit beside ye, none are there, me thinks, of redier will under heaven, or more valiant in open field. I am the weakest and the feeblest of wit, and will be the less loss of my life if ye seek sooth"(5).

He presents himself as the weakest and easiest loss to the court, thereby permitting Arthur and the other knights to save face and not be embarrassed for not stepping up sooner before the Green Knight could laugh at them.

What demonstrates Sir Gawain's courage in "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight"?

When looking at reasons for Sir Gawain's courage, knowing something about history and the Medieval Period, the period in which Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was written, will help in identifying examples. One of the main themes and characteristics in Medieval Literature and in Sir Gawain is that of the hero. There are different types of heroes, and they have varying characteristics: a person of either common or  noble birth, who accomplishes extraordinary feats and possesses extraordinary strength (it would make sense that one would also need, or have, an extraordinary amount of courage in order to accomplish such feats), is mortal (so a hero must be conscious of their own mortality, which also means that courage is necessary in order to risk ones life, regardless of brute strength or luck, etc.), is flawed, must fight for and earn their honor (a noble birth does not automatically grant a person honor), overcome some personal, inner conflict, plus several more, but these characteristics are important ones to know, and will help in identifying examples that will highlight Sir Gawain's courage. 

Early on, Sir Gawain shows courage when he stands up to accept the Green Knight's challenge despite his own fear of death. His reasoning for this was to take the place of his uncle, King Arthur who was originally the chosen participant after none of the other present knights volunteered. Sir Gawain couldn't allow his uncle, the legendary king to risk his life, when that of his own was of so little importance.

After accepting the Knight's challenge and beheading the Knight, Sir Gawain must face his fear of death by seeking out the Green Knight the following year in order to have the same done to him (beheading), and knowing his fate, he still finds courage within himself to honor the Knight's challenge. Despite dying, he puts his word, honor, and loyalty above his own life--highly regarded traits in the eyes of knights, and as such, he doesn't want to disappoint his uncle. 

All in all, the main reasons Sir Gawain stood up to meet the Knight's challenge in the face of his own fears was to live up to the code of honor that the knights and Arthur highly regarded--Sir Gawain himself held himself to an even higher, stricter code for himself than the other's did and courage showed itself through these actions.