How Does Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Show Moral Courage

It could be debated that the tale “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” written by Sir Thomas Malory, did not display moral courage within the text. However, it can be proven that it did in fact have moral courage, and this theme was developed through the use of characterization and conflicts. Malory uses direct and indirect characterization to reveal the theme of moral courage. He does this by using Sir Gawain’s words, actions and how he progresses as a person. In this tale, Arthur and all of the Knights of the Round Table sit around laughing, enjoying the festivities of the day with an enormous feast. When, a hefty green giant storms the palace doors, with an axe in hand. The giant proposes a challenge that will test the boldness of the knights.

After a year passes, Sir Gawain travels to the Green Chapel to meet the unkillable Green Giant. Along the way he battles multitudes of foul enemies until he approaches a castle. The Lord of the castle allows him to rest there for three days and offers a game for them to play. The details of the game state that while the Lord is away hunting, and Sir Gawain stays at the castle resting, they are to “exchange everything they have received on that day”. (79) To sum up, Sir Gawain follows the terms of the game up until the last day, when he receives a greenbelt that is to protect it’s wearer from death from the lady of the castle. When he finally meets up with the Green Giant, he learns that it was the lord of the castle in disguise the whole time. The Green Giant takes three swings at Sir Gawain’s neck for the three day that he stayed at his castle. Only on the last swing, the green giant actually cuts him because on the third day Sir Gawain broke the terms of his game. Because of that Sir Gawain is ashamed and burdened with grief, “he vows to wear the green belt as a reminder of the sins he committed” (81). Contrary to belief, all of this shows moral courage. Even though Sir Gawain made a mistaken and broke his agreement, he refused to just let it go like any normal person would. He uses the

Although this is a treacherous task “he bravely continues on” (78) because he knows that it's the right thing to do. If Sir Gawain honestly didn't want to go and die, he could have just turned back and said that he got lost and couldn't find the place but he didn’t. He continues his path of destruction to do the moral thing. Once Sir Gawain reaches a castle along the way and is granted a stay, he agrees to exchange whatever he receives from the day with the Lord of the castel. Disastrously, Gawain catches the eye of the lady of the castle and in short causing her to overindulge him with attention and affection. Nonetheless, Gawain “refuses all her advances. He, after all, is a chivalrous knight…” (79) who knows it’s wrong to commit adultery. However, he is worried that he has offended someone of a higher statue, so “he accepts a kiss from her” (79). Although breaking his code of knighthood, he keeps his code of chivalry. When the lord comes back he keeps his agreement be giving him the kiss that he received instead of keeping his indiscretions a secret. This displays moral courage because Sir Gawain handles this conflict with ease without causing too much unrest. He honors his code of chivalry and respects the Lady of the castle while also being able to keep his word with the Lord of castle. Most people