If you were in Sir Gawain's position do you think you'd be able to decide what was more important, your knightly virtues or your life? Sir Gawain most likely accepted the Green Knights challenge because of his fear of dying; if he was able to overcome his fear his virtues would stay in tacked. Of course, he did show his bravery when he, out of all the other knights, was the only one to accept the Green Knights challenge. It must have been extremely hard for Sir Gawain to accept the challenge; the internal battle he was having with himself about his upcoming death should've been terrifying. Sir Gawain also accepted the challenge because he felt his life was of lesser value.
Gawain Often in stories, a character's integrity is tested by trials or temptations. In “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” we see Gawain’s integrity tested from the beginning of the story to the end. Nevertheless, he always remained faithful and loyal to the challenge that is given to him. We also see how Splendid the Green Knight views Gawain on the initial challenge and in the final challenge.
In response to the taunting of the Green Knight, Sir Gawain says, "I shied once: no more. You have my word," (272-273). Gawain, like all natural man, shied away once from the Knight's sword as a defensive reflex, but he quickly shakes off any cowardice and announces to the Green Knight that he was caught in a moment of doubt. From there he goes to say that he ultimately is no coward, but rather a noble and courageous knight of the roundtable who is devoted and loyal to King Arthur. He is more than willing and prepared to take what is coming and preserve the honor of his people, as well as his own.
Sir Gawain shows loyalty and humility when he makes the decision of honoring the promise he made with the Green Knight. This humility drives him to set off to pursue the Green Knight to honor the pact they agreed on. On his arrival at the Green chapel, he calls the Green Knight who emerges to greet him and to fulfill the terms of the contract (Cathell). Sir Gawain presents his neck voluntarily to the Green Knight who feigns two blows (Cooke 4). This is a commitment and a sign of piety that Gawain manifests.
180-182). Gawain is surely responsible for this challenge and now, upon his honor, must uphold it. While the Green Knight is responsible for the future of Gawain, Gawain himself is certainly in control of his destiny at this point in time. After traveling to the Green Knight’s Chapel, Gawain is repeatedly seduced by the Knight’s wife. However, time and time again he resists her seduction.
Throughout his entire journey, Gawain tried to remain courageous and brave. In fact, Gawain demonstrated his bravery when he accepted the challenge that no one else dared to do. Following that he then showed his braveness by cutting off the Green Knights head and keeping his word to return in one year and one day. He even had enough courage to go on a journey by himself rather than having the other knights go along. Although Gawain is seen to be fearful of death because instead of giving away the girdle he kept it in secret so its magical powers would protect him from the Green Knight.
Sir Gawain disrespected the lord whom was housing him when he decided to keep the sash a secret. This decision also contradicted his oath to speak truth at all times because he did not disclose his gift the lord, and therefore indirectly lied to the lord. Sir Gawain fails to uphold the chivalrous code through his prioritization for self-preservation over honoring his commitment to fellow
Early on in the tale, Sir Gawain shows courage when he steps up and accepts the Green Man's challenge well knowing of the chance of Death. By doing so Sir Gawain surpassed his fear of death by stepping up to do a mission none of the other knights at the round table wished to do. 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. After chopping off the head of the Green Man, Sir Gawain is told that he must go to the green chapel in one year and one day to meet the Green Man. Sir Gawain fearful of death debates whether or not he will set journey to the green chapel at that time yet his courageous characteristics force him to go.
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
Modern scholarship suggests that the anonymous poet who wrote Sir Gawain and the Green Knight likely had the patronage of King Richard II, as did his contemporaries Geoffrey Chaucer and John Gower. In the latter years of his reign, Richard placed great value on arts and culture at court, with particular emphasis on literature. It is likely that those writers who found favor at his court would have endeavored to please and perhaps flatter the king through their work. If, as research suggests, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was first read before an audience that included Richard II, then the poet gauged the tastes of his audience well.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, whose author is unknown, is an Arthurian Romance/Epic that holds a degree of Christian symbolism. These Christian symbols are intermixed with Britannic Pagan traditions and themes in order to appeal more to the common British people at the time of the early Christianization of Britain. This can be supported by the stories of kings being created in the earlier centuries throughout history. In this particular story, this symbolism is important since all the knights of King Arthur’s Court were supposed to follow a certain chivalrous code of conduct, whether present in the courts or away on some other venture. The chivalric code being the embodiment of Christian virtue and valor, which was expected to be personified
The Knight’s Tale focuses mainly on chivalry and courtly love. Chivalry, which is system of behavioral rules that knights must follow, has several rules that pertain to Christianity, such as believe all the church tells you, defend the church, and do not perform duties that contrast the laws of God. Courtly love, like chivalry, are rules which demand a knight’s loyalty to only one person. Ignoring these two systems, there are almost no Christian values in the story. which can be seen by the way Palamon and Arcite fight each other over a princess in the story.
The stories of castles, heroic knights and their gallant steeds, all pieces in the quest of saving the maiden. The story of “Gawain and the Green Knight” is a perfect example of romance in literature. The main character of the story Gawain, is at a New Year’s Eve feast hosted by King Arthur, following a series of events he is given a quest as some might say, a challenge. The Green Knight makes a claim that “If there be a man in this house who holds himself so hardy, is so bold inhis blood, so rash in his head, that he dares stiffly strike one stroke for another, I shall give him as my gift this rich gisarm, this axe, this is heavy enough, to handle as he likes; and I shall abide the first blow as bare as I sit. If any warrior be wight enough to try what I propose, let him leap lightly to me and take this weapon — I quit- claim it forever, let him keep it as his own – and I shall stand him a stroke firmly on this floor…I will give him respite of twelvemonth and a day” (Neilson).
As I was younger I always had a certain fascination with Medieval Romances. I think it was mainly the magic or supernatural events. The dragons, witches, trolls, and other monsters. Its not only this that makes up a Medieval Romance. There are exactly four elements that make up a Medieval Romance.
Respect (A Discussion on Chivalry used in The Green Knight and Morte D’Arthur.) Chivalry is code of conduct used by knights, and heroes of the past. “Chivalry, the order of knighthood and, especially, the code of knightly behavior that was a feature of the High and later Middle Ages in western Europe”(Funk). Along with this idea of Chivalry, Feudalism was used in Europe as well. Feudalism is the system of both government and land ownership, where in exchange for a nobleman 's oath of loyalty, a king would grant them land.
