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An Analysis Of Sir Gawain: Chivalrous Knight

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Sir Gawain: Chivalrous Knight or Average Human In the epic Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Sir Gawain makes a valiant effort to hold himself to the Chivalric Code; however, in many instances throughout the epic he falls short of the standard he chooses to live by. Certainly it would be difficult for any person to uphold every aspect of the Chivalric Code in its entirety and in every moment or situation, just as it is difficult for many people to live up to the standards set by their faith or the laws set by their government. Nothing short of Sir Gawain’s life is at stake during the epic, but had it not been it is possible he would be considered a better person and fails in his pursuit because he is further tested than the average person. …show more content…

On her first visit to Sir Gawain’s bedroom the queen seems to hold nothing back while trying to persuade him to have a tryst. Although Sir Gawain asks her to allow him to dress before they continue their conversation she refuses and lets him know that she has more in mind than a lively discussion with him. She says to Sir Gawain “we are all by ourselves my husband and his huntsmen far hence ridden…To my body will you welcome be of delight to take your fill” (Tolkien 70). Despite this and other strongly worded propositions from the queen Sir Gawain finds a way to dissuade her and does it without insulting her or disrespecting his host. The second time the queen visits Sir Gawain he resists her despite how aggressively she offers herself to Sir Gawain. It is said that she “tested and tried him tempting him often, so as to allure him to love-making” (Tolkien 83), but despite her apparent eagerness to offer him her body he resists. She herself admits that “I have set by your very self now for the second time, yet your mouth has never made any remark I have heard that ever belonged to love making” (Tolkien 82). On the third visit he narrowly resists the temptation that the queen provides “for she queenly and peerless, pressed him so closely, led him so near the line, that at last he must need either …show more content…

Sir Gawain’s display of valor begins when he accepts the challenge of the Green Knight. As King Arthur steps forward to accept the challenge brought forth by the Green Knight, Sir Gawain intervenes telling King Arthur that because his loss would be too great and he himself volunteers in Arthur’s place. Sir Gawain

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The main theme of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is the journey to maturity of Gawain, the hero. During the passage, Gawain goes through three tests on his development. First, Gawain shows courage and resourcefulness when he volunteers to take the Green Knight’s challenge instead of Arthur doing so. Second, Gawain shows authority, self-restraint, and integrity when he denies the sexual endeavours of the lady of the house. Lastly, Gawain shows bravery when he faces death by keeping his meeting with the Green

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NAME INSTRUCTOR COURSE DATE The Five Knightly Virtues of Sir Gawain Sir Gawain and The Green Knight is the most known 14th century poem that depicts the Arthurian legend. It has been translated from a Middle English dialect by Simon Armitage; unfortunately, very little is known about the original author. Sir Gawain is the protagonist as he is the major source of conflict when he struggles to decide whether his “knightly virtues” are more important than his own life.

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Gawain’s values as a knight are in conflict, because he needs to be polite to the Lady, but he is also loyal to the Lord. Gawain ultimately fails

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During the Medieval times chivalry was one of the most important characteristics a knight could display. Chivalry was viewed as a moral obligation that involved bravery, honor, respect, and gallantry. Knights were expected to uphold this code or face social consequences for any infractions, with punishments ranging from humiliation to termination of their knighthood. “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” presents the struggles knights faced with honoring the chivalrous code at all times. Sir Gawain, while imperfect, exhibits qualities expected of knights and embodies the internal struggle between honoring the chivalrous code and giving into selfish desires.

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Gawain does maintain chastity despite being courted by the lady. The pearl poet explains: “But his defence was so fair that no fault could be seen,/ nor any evil upon either side, nor aught but joy/ they wist” (61.19-21). Gawain purely deflected any advances she made at him. When the fair lady tries to woo him a second time she speaks of how if she could she would take Gawain as her husband.

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He respectfully refuses the advances of the Lord's wife showing loyalty and respect for ladies. He owns up to his mistake, confesses, and apologizes. Why is Gawain

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“But no wonder if a fool should fall for a female and be wiped of his wits by womanly guile- it’s the way of the world.” (Armitage: 181,2414-2416) Gawain blames all of his troubles the past year on women. Not people who might’ve gotten in his way, or the lord of the manor, but specifically woman.

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Courtesy is displayed by Arthur waiting to eat after the rest of his knights do at the very beginning and after the Green Knight shows up, Arthur welcomes him into the castle, despite the oddity of it all. After this beheading game is proposed by the Green Knight, Gawain steps up and steps in place of King Arthur. Gawain says, “’I beseche now with sawes sene / This melly mot be myne.’” claiming the battle as his own (lines 341-342) and the noble court decides in agreement, “To ryd the king wyth croun, / And gif Gawan the game” (lines 364-365). Gawain taking place of the king and offering up his life is one of the most courteous actions that could be taken.

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Gawain is courteous to no end, even asking for permission to “abandon [his] bench and stand by [Arthur]” (Pearl Poet l. 344) so he may risk his own life instead of his kings to abide by the Green Knights game. He even humbly states that he “[is] the weakest” (l. 354) and that it would be the least lost of he was to parish which is untrue. Gawain is also extremely courteous when he is denying the wife’s attempts to seduce him saying he is “a knight unworthy” (l.1245). He plays a game of wits as he must not offend her advances but at the same time must not let the wife win the “game” because then he would have to lay with her and that would be uncourteous to his host, Lord Bertilak. The only time Gawain faults in his courteousness is when he refuses to acknowledge the agreement he made with Lord Bertilak which was “whatever [Lord Bertilak] win[s] in the wood shall at once be [Gawain’s] and whatever gain [Gawain] may get [he] shall give in exchange” (ll. 1107-08).

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Essay: Consider how the Theme of courage is treated in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. It has to be said that Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is arguably one of the greatest middle English poems of the 14th Century. The author of the text, whom, amazingly is still unknown tells the reader, through the medium of poem the courage of the Great Sir Gawain as he bravely challenges the Green Knight. The poem also shows the courage of others. In Medieval times and especially medieval writings, there was a great engrossment with courage.

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To be Chivalrous means that a man must stick firmly with christian values that go far beyond the rules of combat. To be that certain type of chivalry, a knight must be honourable, courteous, and brave. This includes not straying from the belief that God will always bless you and help you in your hour of need. While it is true that Sir Gawain does, through most of the story, exhibit that he is a chivalric knight, it towards the end when he shows the most weakness in faith and code. When he takes the “girdle of immunity,” something belonging to the Pagan side, is when he demonstrates that his faith is not as strong as his armour makes him appear.

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Sir Gawain and the Green Knight has been an interesting story so far. I am interested in this story to find out what is going to happen at the end. As I am reading this story it is bringing thoughts to my mind as how some of the plots are happening in today’s time. Something that grasped my attention is how the wife is treating Sir Gawain. I do not think she should be flirting with him as much as she is.

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The Green Knight purposefully attempted to invoke chivalry upon the knights and when Sir Gawain decided to step-up and accept his challenge, his “trawthe” to the Green Knight was sealed. The seasons quickly passed and before Sir Gawain and the King’s court knew it, December and the New Year had quickly approached. Sir Gawain eventually set off in his stunning armor atop of his horse, Gringelot, in search of the Green Knight and his chapel. Gawain knew he had to fulfill his end of the challenge because all knights are supposed to give precedence to their chivalric values of courage, honor, and in this case, fidelity to his agreement with the Green Knight. Sir Gawain’s chivalric values are also represented in the form of the pentangle designed across his shield.

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Gawain, however, shows no clemency for the girl, uttering, “Your tricks won’t help you, and this deceit is quite useless. Such faith, such love, such a nature one can often find in a woman” (“The Knight” 125). Gawain then leaves his new wife along the side of the road, unable to defend herself and without any assistance to find a safe haven. Even though Gawain was once shown leniency from the Green Knight for a moment of disloyalty he exhibited in order to safe his own life, he does not extend that same kindness to his wife. Gawain is then asserting his authority over her even when she did what she did in order to potentially save her own life.

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While there, he makes a deal similar to his deal with the Green Knight. Gawain meets the lady of the castle. She comes to Gawain's room three times and tries to temp him. With Gawain being the representation of true chivalry, he turns down the ladies offer of adultery the first two times she is found in his room. When Gawain politely refuses her offer, she leaves him with a kiss.

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