Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Loyalty Analysis
Not only does Gawain show loyalty to his king, which is expected of him, he also shows loyalty to the Green Knight. He agreed to the knight’s challenge and after a year of waiting with anticipation, he willingly seeks out the knight knowing that he will die during the encounter. Nobody forces Gawain to seek out the knight, he does it because it is the knightly thing to do. During his search for the Green Knight, Gawain stays in the home of a man who goes by Lord Bertilak for a couple of nights. After his stay, one of the men helps him go to the Green Chapel where the Green Knight is waiting for Gawain. The man tells him of the horrible and unsightly deeds the knight has done to the people who pass the chapel and tell Gawain that if he
chooses to abandon his task and return to Camelot, he would not tell a soul and Gawain could continue living his life. Gawain refuses saying, “But though you never told the tale, if I turned back now, / forsook this place for fear, and fled, as you say, / I were a caitiff coward; I could not be excused” (lines 2129 – 2131). Gawain realizes that he must find the Green Knight in the chapel to withhold his agreement with the knight. Gawain also points out that it would be cowardly of him to back away now. By willingly facing the Green Knight when death was certain, Sir Gawain exhibits that loyalty goes beyond his king.
chooses to abandon his task and return to Camelot, he would not tell a soul and Gawain could continue living his life. Gawain refuses saying, “But though you never told the tale, if I turned back now, / forsook this place for fear, and fled, as you say, / I were a caitiff coward; I could not be excused” (lines 2129 – 2131). Gawain realizes that he must find the Green Knight in the chapel to withhold his agreement with the knight. Gawain also points out that it would be cowardly of him to back away now. By willingly facing the Green Knight when death was certain, Sir Gawain exhibits that loyalty goes beyond his king.