Sir Gawain Character Analysis

Were all the knights of Camelot as virtuous as they are renowned to be? In the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, an unknown author explores the reactions of different characters when the knight, Sir Gawain, acts dishonestly. The tale exhibits three versatile responses to Sir Gawain’s sin. Although originally penned in Middle English during the mid to late fourteenth-century, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight has been translated to modern English for more convenience. Unsurprisingly, the tale is set during King Arthur’s time and takes place all over the early British wilderness.
The first reaction, Gawain’s own reaction, is probably the most dramatic. Dropping to his knees, Gawain loudly laments his folly and curses his cowardliness. At one point he cries, “Accursed be a cowardly and covetous heart! / In you is villainy and vice, and virtue is laid low!” (ll. 2374 - 2375) Sir Gawain realizes that he is not as perfect as he thought himself to be. He shamefully dubs himself a “false and faulty” knight and regrets his dishonesty. Although lying to his host, thus breaking their deal, violates the laws of chivalry, Sir Gawain’s sinful behavior plants a seed of humility and wisdom that he will eventually benefit from. Still, because of a single lie, Sir Gawain dramatically bemoans in despair.
However, not all reactions to Sir
Gawain’s regrettable behavior mirrors his own shameful dismay. When Sir Gawain arrives at King Arthur’s court, he recounts his adventures and confesses to his humiliating encounter at the Green Chapel. Despite the gravity of the story, King Arthur and “the whole court laughs loudly about it…” (2514) Their response is too lighthearted for such a deed. During those days a strict code of chivalry and bravery governed the land, yet the court simply laughs when Sir Gawain tells about his dishonest actions. Their reactions definitely vary from Sir Gawain’s own.
Out of everyones’ reactions, the Green Knight’s was the most moderate. Although he should have beheaded Sir Gawain for breaking their deal, he behaves admirably and forgives him. The Green Knight recognizes that Sir Gawain is only human, and so approaches his punishment in a lenient manner. He demonstrates a sense of justice tempered with mercy. “You have so cleanly confessed yourself/ … I declare you absolved of that offense…” (2391 - 2394) The Green Knight’s calm, forgiving reaction models the behavior of an ideal knight.
With such versatile reactions, deciding which one has the most significance seems like a hard task.
However, the laughter that emanated from King Arthur’s court certainly causes some confusion. The king’s lighthearted reaction to Sir Gawain’s tale questions the true value of the chivalry code. In those days, honesty, bravery, and courtesy were esteemed above all else. Nevertheless, when Sir Gawain confesses to his dishonesty, King Arthur and the court act as if his actions were of no consequence. Although King Arthur supposedly rules an virtuous court, the author of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight chooses to depict Camelot slightly
different.