While I think Ralph's extension of the fox to Bertilak's deceit is astute, I found her attempt to focus attention onto the physical animal and it's rights and away from the allegory trope unconvincing. In tripling the fox with both Gawain's and Bertilak's deception and seeming devotion to truth, the fox is still used in an allegorical capacity. Furthermore, Ralph complains about the brutal violence during the hunts as excessive and reasons that they provide a point for questioning the ethics of hunting during the time period, especially the fox who is hunted solely for pleasure and therefore dishonestly. However, this ignores the central importance of violence through a gaming motif that has been operating since the Green Knight's challenge. The actions and advantages displayed during the hunt may not be "fair" but neither was the beheading game to begin with. The knight is an anomaly as is the beheading game itself, and there is dishonestly built within it. While it is presented as a game, the agreement to play becomes a type of rash promise since the knight cannot die but his opponent (Gawain) does not know this. This undermines the assumptions built within the game (there can only be one victor) as well as the integrity of the beheading as a chivalric demonstration of strength. The knight manifests largely to test the court's chivalric reputation that is clearly not a reality--he has to goad them into playing which is striking given the court's hearty participation in games during the holiday feasting. While the beheading becomes a clear test of strength and weaponry skill, this is not enough to "win" the game. Gawain's participation in the game will require more than what was originally inferred. It appears that all the rules are not presented as clearly and perhaps ethically as they could be. Furthermore at the castle, the hunts serve to intensify Gawain's predicament, both in the bedroom and for his upcoming visit with the Green Knight. The game, either played in court or exhibited during hunts, still involves real violence and consequences--and like the fox, Gawain is trying to outmaneuver his violent end. I thought the point about Bertilak's discarding of the foxe's pelt was interesting in consideration of the beheading game itself. What is the value of playing the game initially when the core of the game, which looks like a test of strength and accuracy, is not enough to win? And if the point of the game is to test loyalty and truth, then deceit is the fundamental foundation upon which the test is levied--and this is problematic.