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The Theme Of Chivalry In 'Sir Gawain And The Green Knight'

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In "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," the hero's journey enhances the theme of the nature of chivalry. The protagonist, Sir Gawain, is presented as the epitome of a chivalric knight. As he embarks on his journey to confront the Green Knight, he faces a series of trials that test his adherence to the code of chivalry. Through these trials, Gawain learns the true meaning of chivalry - not just outward displays of bravery and honor, but also the internal qualities of humility, honesty, and selflessness. One of the 12 stages of the hero's journey, the "Meeting with the Mentor," plays a particularly important role in Gawain's development as a knight. During this stage, Gawain meets Bertilak, who teaches him about the importance of honesty and the danger of pride. …show more content…

As the poem states, Gawain hesitated, his heart/ Reached for protection, like a thief for a gem:/ He could come to that chapel, and take that stroke,/ And with this glorious device walk off/ Unharmed (Lines 1855-59, Page 113). In the quoted lines, Gawain is contemplating the idea of breaking his code by taking the girdle from the lady and using it as a magical talisman to protect himself from the Green Knight's axe. He hesitates and his heart reaches for protection, which shows that he is grappling with the conflict between his desire to maintain his code of chivalry and his fear of the Green Knight's supernatural power. The image of a thief reaching for a gem also suggests a sense of guilt or wrongdoing, further emphasizing Gawain's internal

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Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a Middle English romance poem written by an anonymous West Midlands poet. Sir Gawain, survives two tests: the challenge, to behead the fearsome Green Knight and to let him retaliate a year later at the distant Green Chapel; and the temptation to commit adultery with the wife of Lord Bercilak,whose castle he stays in when headed to the chapel. this story of Sir gawain follows closely with Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. The start of the story takes place in King Arthur’s great hall.

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The main theme of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is the journey to maturity of Gawain, the hero. During the passage, Gawain goes through three tests on his development. First, Gawain shows courage and resourcefulness when he volunteers to take the Green Knight’s challenge instead of Arthur doing so. Second, Gawain shows authority, self-restraint, and integrity when he denies the sexual endeavours of the lady of the house. Lastly, Gawain shows bravery when he faces death by keeping his meeting with the Green

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There are many archetypes in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight that help Gawain on his hero's journey. While on his journey, Gawain has learns many different lessons while dealing with these characters. As he travels deeper into the “Zone of Magnified Power” (Campbell 71), he develops as an archetypal hero and recognizes the conflict on his community. A number of characters in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight play key archetypal roles in the perfecting of the hero’s moral development. Arthur, the king of Camelot, has become a kind of mentor for Sir Gawain.

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Gawain knew that the struggle to decide if his knightly code of conduct is more important than his life. And thus, Gawain accepted the challenge of the Green Knight and him fighting. And  lastly, himself. Why?  

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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.

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During the Medieval times chivalry was one of the most important characteristics a knight could display. Chivalry was viewed as a moral obligation that involved bravery, honor, respect, and gallantry. Knights were expected to uphold this code or face social consequences for any infractions, with punishments ranging from humiliation to termination of their knighthood. “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” presents the struggles knights faced with honoring the chivalrous code at all times. Sir Gawain, while imperfect, exhibits qualities expected of knights and embodies the internal struggle between honoring the chivalrous code and giving into selfish desires.

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Many other knights would run but Gawain understands that he has to have courage and must be honest about going to meet the green knight and fulfill his deal. One other virtue of chivalry that Gawain presents is courtesy. Gawain shows courtesy to the ladies of the castle. The pearl poet creates this scene: “His acquaintance they requested, and

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Tempted by the chance of protecting himself from the Green Knight, Gawain takes the girdle and does not give it back to Lord Bertilak that night. In her inquiry to deprive Gawain of his honor, Lady Bertilak uses what he desires against him. Regardless that she has been instructed to do this by her own husband, she still is able to influence Gawain and cause some discomfort.

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What is chivalry, exactly, and how does Gawain demonstrate the chivalric ethos in the first two sections of the poem? [ ethos= ethical philosophy] Chivalry is the sum of the ideal qualifications of a knight including courtesy, generosity, valor, and dexterity in arms. The way Gawain demonstrates chivalric ethos is that he honors the King and shows bravery and humility by accepting the Christmas challenge and not allowing the king to do so. He keeps his word by going to the Green Chapel on the day agreed. He keeps his word by giving the Lord the kisses he gets from his wife.

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Not only is Gawain’s loyalty to Sir Bertilak being tested, but the theme of courtesy, not touching a lady in a sexual manner, and how to treat a lady is heavily highlighted as well. Obtaining the kiss, Gawain trades the kiss for a deer that Sir Bertilak hunts. On the second day, Gawain obtains 2 kisses from Lady Bertilak and exchanges them for a boar, and on the third day, Gawain receives 3 kisses and a green girdle. However, Gawain keeps the girdle to himself, as it supposedly had magical abilities that would prevent the wearer from harm. This becomes another crucial point in the story.

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For Sir Gawain to be one of good character he must be honest,

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Gawain's ability to pass all the tests on his journey is proof of his bravery, loyalty, and chivalric values. His journey serves as a reminder of the importance of these virtues in the medieval times, and how society praised them. Gawain's journey is amazing because he demonstrates his chivalric virtues throughout his quest. The first chivalric thing Gawain does is remain true to his word as he seeks out the Green Knight. While on his journey he faces the challenges with courage and loyalty.

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Gawain is courteous to no end, even asking for permission to “abandon [his] bench and stand by [Arthur]” (Pearl Poet l. 344) so he may risk his own life instead of his kings to abide by the Green Knights game. He even humbly states that he “[is] the weakest” (l. 354) and that it would be the least lost of he was to parish which is untrue. Gawain is also extremely courteous when he is denying the wife’s attempts to seduce him saying he is “a knight unworthy” (l.1245). He plays a game of wits as he must not offend her advances but at the same time must not let the wife win the “game” because then he would have to lay with her and that would be uncourteous to his host, Lord Bertilak. The only time Gawain faults in his courteousness is when he refuses to acknowledge the agreement he made with Lord Bertilak which was “whatever [Lord Bertilak] win[s] in the wood shall at once be [Gawain’s] and whatever gain [Gawain] may get [he] shall give in exchange” (ll. 1107-08).

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Sir Gawain and the Green depicts this importance of faith by testing Gawain’s moral and knightly code. Gawain is the epitome of what a knight ought to be, with a strong moral code and an unquestioning faith, which he proudly displays on his shield with the Virgin Mary painted on the inside and the Pentangle on the outside. This faith is soon meet with a test the castle of the lord and his once strong faith in God falters. While Gawain is able to remain innocent when it comes to the seductive ways of the lord’s wife, he is unable to stop himself from accepting her magical girdle that would protect him against any harm, even though it is in opposition to both his faith and his loyalties. Gawain comprises his morals due to fear about his impending encounter with the Green Knight and he give into his fear and takes the magical protection the girdle offers.

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The ideas of Chivalry was expressed through out all sorts of different literary works, such as songs, poems, and more. The Two stories of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and Morte D’Arthur express some of the ideas of Chivalry. The first Chivalry idea that is seen in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is the loyalty of Sir Gawain. Gawain on his way to fight the green knight, stays the night with a lord and his lady.

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