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The Character Of Gawain In The Knight Of The Sword

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Therefore, “The Knight of the Sword”, Gawain doesn’t share this same notion of mercy towards the daughter of his host, who had since become his wife. When Gawain and the young girl are taking leave of the castle, they are attacked on the road by another man. The young girl is taken from Gawain, who challenges the man in order to get her back. The challenge consists of testing the loyalty to Gawain of first the girl and then her greyhounds. Both are allowed to choose who they wish to stay with. The girl chooses the other man, because she sees he has more armor and would be more likely to win if the two men became physical. However, the dogs choose Gawain because he is a face they know well. Thus, Gawain is betrayed by the girl and humiliated by the grey hounds greater loyalty, and proceeds to avenge his honor by killing the other man. …show more content…

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. Once again, Gawain, follows a code of conduct that may benefit his own reputation, such as leaving behind a disloyal wife, while persecuting her for exhibiting similar behaviors which once saved his own

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