Sir Gawain And The Green Knight As A Model Of Chivalric Culture

Sir Gawain and The Green Knight as a Model of Chivalric Culture

The Chivalric Code was undoubtedly of the most prevalent motifs in Middle Age English literature. This code of conduct, established as the model of the behavior of knights in medieval, was based on the ideals of honor, courage, and service. Originally, the term chivalry came from the Old French word chevalerie which meant “horsemanship” (Online Etymology Dictionary). Over the years, however, it evolved to denote a general sense of “courtesy” (Britannica). The most important principles of the code of chivalry governed the rules of knightly conduct in matters such as loyalty to the king, honor, courage, as well as respect for women, and good manners (Cartwright). Some of the

Despite the awareness that he must ultimately meet the superhuman warrior again, Gawain does not indicate any signs of losing his will to live on and continues serving King Arthur. When the time to depart comes, Gawain again proves his loyalty and reverence for his lord by politely asking him for permission to leave and fulfill the promise given to the Green Knight: “Now liege-lord of my life, for leave I beg you. You know the quest and the compact... I must set forth to my fate without fail in the morning” (Tolkien 38). On the way to the Green Chapel, Gawain fights off the attacks of both various wild animals (wolves, boars) and supernatural creatures (wood trolls), which validates his excellent athletic

After meeting at the predetermined location, the young knight willingly exposes his neck to the blade of the Green Knight’s crisply sharpened axe. In this way, he realizes another premise of Gautier’s proposed precepts of the code of chivalry: V. Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemy (25). While for a mere mortal, such an act would be an indication of some suicidal tendencies, the noble Gawain knows that he has no choice but to confirm his valor. After the Green Knight’s first swing, Gawain slightly tilts his head, which the superhuman warrior uses to ridicule his opponent. Gawain, feeling humiliated and debased, does not move a muscle during the Green Knight’s second swing, which also turns out to be a fake one. The uncanny fighter ultimately performs a powerful, full-blown strike after his third swing, but the axe of his blade leaves only a scratch on Gawain’s neck. At this point, the Green Knight reveals his true identity to be Bertilak de Hautdesert, the lord of the castle where Gawain resided for the last three days. He also unveils the truth about his challenge which was afore planned by Arthur’s stepsister and a sorceress Morgan le Fay, who wanted to test Arthur’s vassals. The whole plot was prepared not to harm the challenger, and the magic girdle gifted to Gawain by Bertilak’s wife was to ensure this. Gawain and Bertilak