Period 3
2/20/12
A Chivalrous Man Sir Gawain was a type of man who was very chivalrous in all ways a knight should. There was no other knight that could quite compare to King Arthur and Queen Guinivere’s noble nephew. He was well known all around as the kingdom’s most honorable knight. Sir Gawain was the kind of man that did whatever he knew was right with great morals. In Tolkien’s translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Sir Gawain accepts a challenge in order to preserve the reputation of King Arthur’s realm. Sir Gawain, being the noblest knight in the kingdom, uses a great amount of chivalry in protecting the king and realm, having courtesy towards women, and his faith in God. Being the chivalrous knight, Sir Gawain was very protective of both his king and realm. For example, when no other knight steps up to take the Green Knight’s challenge, Sir Gawain takes it on by standing up to object, “’I implore with prayer plain that this match should now be mine’” (36). Specifically, . Moreover, when a servant of the castle gives Sir Gawain the idea of running away, he responds respectfully and grateful, ”’if I here departed fain in fear now to flee, in the fashion thou speakest, I should a knight coward be, I could not be excused’” (105). Sir Gawain is a perfect example of how a knight should preserve his kingdom. Sir Gawain also proves to be a true gentleman as he shows courtesy to all women. In fact, when Sir Gawain stands up to take the challenge he says to the king, “’ bid me abandon this bench and stand by you there, so that I without discourtesy might be excused from the table’” (36) to ask permission to leave Guinivere’s side. Also, . Along the same lines, Sir Gawain does his best not to offend the Lord’s wife when she asks for a kiss, he replies by saying, “’but as for courtesy they accord me, since my claim is not equal, the honor is your own, who are ever well-meaning’” (72). Something Sir Gawain was very good at was being chivalrous to women and was known for it. Another thing to note about Sir Gawain is his trust and faith in God. For instance, . Accordingly, . In contrast, Sir Gawain has a hiccup in faith as “the knight then took note, and thought now in his heart, ‘twould be a prize in that peril that was appointed to him” (95) and agrees to keeping the girdle a secret from the lord. Sir Gawain is human and makes mistakes just like the rest of the knights. The author uses this to show the reader that Sir Gawain is real and can have mishaps like the rest of humanity. Sir Gawain is a really good human being with a great connection with God even though he makes mistakes. Being protective of your king, courteous to women, and faithful to God are three of the most chivalrous traits a knight can have. It was notable to many that Sir Gawain indeed had all three and was very impressive. Whether he was saving his king or keeping true to his God Sir Gawain was a role model to all knights. He not only followed his heart and persevered in whatever he did but also did what was right, no matter what the outcome. The author uses a very unique tone as translating this story to bring out Sir Gawain’s chivalrous traits that made him stand out.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
Gawain demonstrates chivalry by honoring the king and taking his place when cutting off the Green Knight’s head. He also shows justice when he makes a deal with Bertilak of Hautdesert, that with whatever Gawain received while in the castle he would have to give to Bertilak and whatever Bertilak received in the woods, would belong to Gawain. Gawain also showed justice by keeping his promise to the Green Knight by showing up to the Green Chapel in exactly…
- 373 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Gawain didn’t show loyalty towards Bertilak when he allows Bertilak’s wife to kiss him, not only once but on three different occasions. Gawain does not give the green girdle to the Green Knight thus proving him to be un-loyal. Even though Gawain exchanges the three kisses with Bertilak, he doesn't tell Bertilak who the kisses came from. Fernández argues that, "The medieval hero may overcome the temptation, but not without making a mistake or wrong decision and therefore receiving some form of punishment." This proves that Gawain was capable to make some type of mistake. He overcame the temptation of the wife trying to sleep with him but he also made the mistake of letting her kiss him. Although Gawain was considered “the most courteous of all” he still makes mistakes. . He does show his loyalty and bravery by fulfilling his vow to the Green Knight by allowing him to strike him in the neck. Although he was scared, he kept his…
- 476 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is without doubt one of the best known works of medieval English literature. Medieval England poetry was best known for its medieval romance, religious views, alliterative form and its chivalry nature. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is one of the best works of medieval poetry because it criticizes the fact that chivalric courtesy often displaces true Christian ethics. Sir Gawain a character in the poem was known for his chivalry, honor, and Christian faith. Medieval romance tales deal with the quests and challenges of Arthur and his knights. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Sir Gawain as one of King Arthur’s knight’s gets sent on a quest to meet the Green Knight. Another characteristic…
- 1012 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
Chivalry has countless values that are interpreted in numerous ways in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight depending on which court you look at. This is because the nature of chivalry allows an individual to interpret these meanings in a way that reflects their beliefs and values. When looking at King Arthur's court you find a very lavish court fixed on appearances and relying heavily on the chivalric virtue of courteous speech and action, which leaves little room for speaking the truth. Yet a chivalric virtue is upheld when Sir Gawain speaks the truth about the girdle he acquired and the green knight in turn states by confessing your failings you are free from blame (2391). There are also various symbols found in King Arthur's court like the…
- 247 Words
- 1 Page
Good Essays -
Sir Gawain is more than just a brave knight; he's a normal man, if placed in the current time period. A knight is seen as someone who is perfect at all he does, a person who doesn’t give in to sin, somebody who is godly. Sir Gawain is somebody who makes mistakes and accepts sins like an everyman. (QOUTE HERE) By the end of Gawain’s journey…
- 758 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Firstly, St. Augustine and Sir Gawain were proud of the men they were while they were embarking on their journeys; however the type of people they were differ from one another. Sir Gawain was known to be a “good knight and gold purified, clear of every crudeness, graced and protected by virtues” (Merwin 633), proving he was already a good knight. He carried a shield on his path to the Green Chapel that represented all of his virtues through the five point of the pentangle on his shield: five faith wounds, five joys of the Queen of heaven, five unfailing fingers, five faultless senses, and five qualities he possessed. His values on his shield are put to the test when he takes part in his adventure through woods, the freezing cold, and the temptation of the lord’s wife. For example, his courtesy is tested when the wife of the lord tries to get him to kiss her and he does not know how to respond because it is courteous to do as she says but he does not…
- 1688 Words
- 7 Pages
Good Essays -
“The motto of chivalry is also the motto of wisdom; to serve all, but love only one.” (Honore de Balzac). The Chivalric code is a clutter of rules that contradict each other and challenge normal human behavior. These rules of chivalry are predominantly concerned with courage, honor and gentlemen- like- behavior, which play an important role in proving one’s faithfulness to the King. In the poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Sir Gawain proves to be a hero because he continually struggles against his human flaws to act in a heroic manner. Sir Gawain is acknowledged as a chivalric human because he is a courageous man who perseveres through difficult events and faces both human temptation and terror.…
- 1149 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
The virtues of a Knight's Code of Chivalry were displayed in poems, ballads and literary works of Medieval authors. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight there were several examples of chivalry shown through the characters. Sir Gawain displayed chivalry through bravery by offering to take King Arthur’s place to fight the Green Knight, with this he also honored his king by offering to take his place. Loyalty to one’s king or Lord was very important to knights (174, Pearson). He also demonstrates bravery by allowing the Green Knight to take a blow…
- 636 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Sir Gawain is known as the honorable Knight for being brave enough to agree to the Green…
- 439 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Chivalry in “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” plays a huge role in every little piece of this poem. Chivalry comes from morality which comes from Christianity, therefore chivalry comes from Christianity. This upholds spiritual ideals in a spiritually fallen world. Christianity and the values known in chivalry were all brought together in this poem through the shield and pentangle. The pentangle has many symbols and whoever has this is known as the “noblest knight (pg. 199 line 639).” The pentangle represents friendship, generosity, chastity, courtesy, and piety, which are all characteristics that knights must have. Sir Gawain’s virtues were constantly tested throughout the poem. An example of when his virtues were tested is when Bercilak de Hautdesert's wife tries to seduce him when Sir Gawain is under their roof. Later on, it is found that her husband put her up to doing this. This tests Sir Gawain’s virtues because he was courteous although he did not want to indulge in what she was proposing and he showed piety by not sleeping with her and respecting both her and her husband and also, himself. To me the real question in this poem is can heavenly virtue operate in a fallen world? I ask this because many temptations are brought to these knights and it is up to them to make the right decision despite the fact that human nature makes you…
- 880 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
When Sir Gawain accepted the challenge, he demonstrated selflessness. The challenge was introduced in a manner that gave the volunteer hardly any time to think about it. Rather than him debating about whether it would benefit him or not, he sacrificed impulsively for the sake of his King, and for the honor and reputation of his fellow knights. Sir Gawain demonstrated leadership because they needed a representative. He didn’t accept out of selfish ambition, but out of devotion to their cause. He was obviously brave, for agreeing to a match that had so much confusion regarding the Green Knight’s motives. Sir Gawain’s example at this point in the poem is very honorable.…
- 703 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
It all starts with the game presented by the Green Knight; "You will grant me gladly the little game that I ask as my right"(Poet 56). Being a king, Arthur cannot express fear because he is the protector of the society. Therefore, the King accepts the challenge but Gawain steps forward to take the king's place; "Let this game be mine"(24). As the game progresses, one can identify that the game was a test to see how true Gawain is to his code of chivalry. The game was not fair for Gawain because the Green Knight held superpowers(167). As it stated,"He held his head by the hair, high, in his hand; and the stranger sat there as steadily in his saddle"(167-168). The Green Knight had the ability to live without his head attached to his body. Even though he knows that he will die if he pursues the Green Knight, "Sir Gawain sets off on his quest to find the Green Knight and fulfill his part of the challenge"(183). Gawain went to face the Green Knight because of his Knight's code of chivalry. In addition, for a second time, Gawain holds his truth to the code in the game inside the castle. As Poet states, "determined not to deceive his host or violate the agreement, Gawain accepts only two kisses from the lady, which he (tells) to the lord at night"(p 183). Gawain could take advantage of the situation by committing adultery. Although tempted, he holds…
- 1169 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
From the poem, itself, it can be determined that Sir Gawain along with the other knight of the round table chivalrous, loyal, and honorable subjects of king Arthur. These men, the knights, live by a code of honor, so when the Green Knight showed up at their holiday celebration challenging everyone to a beheading game, Gawain saw that King Arthur was about to take the challenge and decided to accept himself instead. This is the first moment that we see a hint of heroism in Sir Gawain. His noble sacrifice, for lack of a better word, carries through the rest of the poem, even when he was face to face with, death, the Green Knight.…
- 507 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
In the poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, many people believe that Sir Gawain does not abide by his principles, and he lets go of what he values most. He is so proud of his values that he depicts them on his shield, which he carries around everywhere. People do not contend about his first four sets of virtues since the book mentions,…
- 776 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
The English poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a significant piece in Arthurian Literature. The story approaches Gawain’s character much differently than in Sir Thomas Malory’s well-known Le Morte d’Arthur. Unlike Malory’s version of the Arthurian legend where Sir Lancelot is known as the Round Table’s finest Knight, the author of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight chose, instead, to have Sir Gawain play the role of Camelot’s most noble gentleman. In staying true to the theme of chivalry and virtue, the Gawain Poet tells a captivating story of a knights struggle to uphold the chivalric code in the face of temptation and danger.…
- 2416 Words
- 10 Pages
Powerful Essays