Comments on: What Do You Say When Adventure Comes Knocking?

By: david

david — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:43:25 +0000

wow what a wonderful and intriguing story so catchy

By: Shane Arthur

Shane Arthur — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:27:28 +0000

Thanks Mark,

I read that Wikipedia entry. What a plot twist at the end!

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:15:21 +0000

Thanks everyone, glad (but not surprised) there are more Yaysayers than Naysayers round here!

@ Igor – Hercules? Now there’s an idea…

@ Michael – The Green Knight IS Life!

@ Shane – Well if you really can’t wait to know the ending, Wikipedia has a plot summary and discussion of some of the symbolism.

Some people (including me) would see the Green Knight as an incarnation of the Green Man, a common figure in folklore around the world. There are lots of Green Men carved in churches in Britain. They are a kind of vegetative deity, symbolising death and rebirth as part of the natural cycle.

So one way of looking at the story is that it deals with the relationship between human civilisation (Arthur and his court) and Nature (the Green Man and the wilderness in which he lives). But that’s just one reading – it’s an incredibly rich poem, with many layers of meaning, so I wouldn’t want to reduce it to a single interpretation.

By: Martha Downs

Martha Downs — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:36:33 +0000

Thanks for the encouraging tale, I sometimes need a reminder.

By: Stacey Cornelius

Stacey Cornelius — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:28:43 +0000

John Lennon once said something about life happening when you’re busy making plans.

Sometimes I say yes, sometimes I don’t. Depends on who comes knocking.

As an artist, change is essential. As an entrepreneur, change is looked for. As a human, change is… unsettling. Bring on the adventures.

Happy holidays, everyone.

By: Shane Arthu

Shane Arthu — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:40:58 +0000

Mark,

I have not read the Green Knight story, so I’m dying (figuratively) to know what happens. Any hints?

Also, I’m curious about the symbolism of the color green in this story. Is there any? I know green signifies greed is some stories, but I can’t figure out how it might play out in this one.

Regards,
Shane

By: Shell

Shell — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:08:46 +0000

This is one of my favorite stories, Mark.
I personally do my best to say yes even when I’m petrified.
I am always rewarded in some fashion when the Green Knight
comes to shake things up for me.
Merry Christmas, to you too.

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:43:15 +0000

Mark

What a smart post – I’d never quite made that connection between The Green Knight and, well, life.

I’m going to re-read those stories now.

By: George

George — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:34:32 +0000

Great story. The picture is a bit shocking…

Happy to say I live in the ‘yes’ camp and avoid people in the ‘no’ camp!

By: Chris Baltzley

Chris Baltzley — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:29:14 +0000

Thanks, Mark. This is one of the best blog posts I have read in a long time.
I have said “yes” to adventure more than once – and the true consequences of some of those choices may not really ever be known – but I would be a much duller person if I had not.

Therefore, I will always stand on the side of acceptance of the future fall of the ax in return for blessings/lessons gained by the choosing.