How Does Sir Gawain Show Humanism

In the epic poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, written by an anonymous poet, humanism and heroism are both shown throughout the poem through Sir Gawain. Sir Gawain embodies the complexities of being human, while also keeping the ideals of chivalry. In his quest to uphold chivalry and honor King Arthur, he is faced with difficulties and decisions of humanism that would test these characteristics. Although Sir Gawain is a knight of great confidence and bravery, he is presented in the poem as someone with very human fears and misgivings. Sir Gawain portrays his heroism throughout the entire poem. First, he shows his knightly virtues by staying loyal to King Arthur. When the Green Knight storms into King Arthur's court and challenges him to

He says “Gawain am I, who give thee this buffet, let what may come of it.”. Gawain shows great heroism by taking King Arthur's place and giving his covenant to the Green Knight knowing the outcome. Additionally, Sir Gawain shows his heroism by keeping his covenant to Sir Bertilak. Sir Bertilak asks Gawain “will ye hold to this behest, here, at once?” and Gawain replies with “Yea, forsooth, while I abide in your burg I am bound by your behest”. Sir Bertilak made a covenant with Sir Gawain that whatever he receives while hunting, he will give to Gawain only if he does the same by what he receives at the house. Here Sir Gawain gives his word to the Lord, in which he keeps by giving Sir Bertilak what he receives in the house throughout the day. Sir Gawain saved his own life by staying true to his knightly chivalry and his knightly values. Sir Gawain's heroism solidifies his place as a virtuous

She says, “For whatever knight is girded with this green lace, while he bears it knotted about him, there is no man under heaven who can overcome him, for he may not be slain for any magic on earth”. So he took the garment out of fear of dying, and fear is a human characteristic. Additionally, Sir Gawain also shows humanism right before the Green Knight swings his ax to cut his head off. Fear overtakes Sir Gawain and he moves out of the way. The Green Knight condemns him for flinching “Thou art not Gawain, Whose is held so valiant, that never feared he man by hill or vale, but thou shrinkest for fear ere thou feelest hurt”. The brave knight Sir Gawain had been true to his dreams, seemed to crumble in this moment out of fear, and is later ashamed of how his fear led him to do these things. Sir Gawain's embodiment of humanism, adds character to his portrayal as a noble knight. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight embodies both humanism and heroism through Sir Gawain's actions as a knight. He struggles with human characteristics while trying to remain a brave and noble knight. He shows his knightly chivalry by being able to accept his human feelings, such as