Sir Gawain's Loyalty
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight:
Repentance and the Redefining of Honor
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a Middle English romance that intertwines the ideas of the importance of chivalry, Christian virtues and outward appearances, present within Arthurian legends. Sir Gawain is the epitome of the noble, virtuous knight who also strives to be an obedient man of God, represented by the pentangle and image of Mary within his shield (650). But with the arrival of the Green Knight at King Arthur’s court, Gawains faith in God and his Christian morals collide with his desire to be seen as the honorable, brave knight of Arthur’s court. When Gawains desire for self-preservation overcomes his faith in God, causing him to befall, some readers
have come to the conclusion that Gawain is faulty in his claim to embody qualities of both an admirable, honorable knight and an honorable man of God. But it would be inaccurate to perceive Gawain as guilty, for it must be considered if exemplifying both these different ideals is even attainable. Gawain is striving to be an impossibly idealistic image of how a man should be instead of realizing that God made us human, knowing we would befall to sin. Gawains only fault is holding his self to an unrealistic courtly ideal, as well as having a humanly desire to live. These faults cannot be reason enough to condemn him, and therefore, Gawain cannot be considered guilty either. In realizing this we can actually recognize the successes of Sir Gawain in the end of his trials through his repentance and his return to Arthur’s court with a new definition of honor.
SGGK begins in the extravagant court of King Arthur during Christmas time celebrations. The luscious descriptions of the courts décor, the peoples overdone attire, and their excessive feasting (147-148) leave us the evidence to conclude that outward appearances are very important within Arthur’s court. This becomes even more evident with the arrival of the Green Knight, and his suggestion of a blows game: if any man were to be so brave as to strike the Green Knight, as well as seek him out a year and a day later to receive a blow in return, that man would receive his battle axe (153). When no one answers his challenge, the Green Knight begins to mock their cowardice, saying: “Where are now your arrogance and your victories” “that everyone talks of in so many kingdoms?” (line 311, 310). Although Arthurs men are reputed as the bravest, most noble knights, “Arthur grew red with rage, as all the others did” (line 319-20) with the questioning of their courage, leading to Arthur’s acceptance of the challenge. From this we can deduce that outward appearances and other people’s perception of the court is what define their idea honor. King Arthur and his men, although reputed as being the noblest knights, do not feel this sense of honor from within themselves, but only feel it through the reinforcement of others believing they are honorable, valiant men.
Repentance and the Redefining of Honor
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a Middle English romance that intertwines the ideas of the importance of chivalry, Christian virtues and outward appearances, present within Arthurian legends. Sir Gawain is the epitome of the noble, virtuous knight who also strives to be an obedient man of God, represented by the pentangle and image of Mary within his shield (650). But with the arrival of the Green Knight at King Arthur’s court, Gawains faith in God and his Christian morals collide with his desire to be seen as the honorable, brave knight of Arthur’s court. When Gawains desire for self-preservation overcomes his faith in God, causing him to befall, some readers
have come to the conclusion that Gawain is faulty in his claim to embody qualities of both an admirable, honorable knight and an honorable man of God. But it would be inaccurate to perceive Gawain as guilty, for it must be considered if exemplifying both these different ideals is even attainable. Gawain is striving to be an impossibly idealistic image of how a man should be instead of realizing that God made us human, knowing we would befall to sin. Gawains only fault is holding his self to an unrealistic courtly ideal, as well as having a humanly desire to live. These faults cannot be reason enough to condemn him, and therefore, Gawain cannot be considered guilty either. In realizing this we can actually recognize the successes of Sir Gawain in the end of his trials through his repentance and his return to Arthur’s court with a new definition of honor.
SGGK begins in the extravagant court of King Arthur during Christmas time celebrations. The luscious descriptions of the courts décor, the peoples overdone attire, and their excessive feasting (147-148) leave us the evidence to conclude that outward appearances are very important within Arthur’s court. This becomes even more evident with the arrival of the Green Knight, and his suggestion of a blows game: if any man were to be so brave as to strike the Green Knight, as well as seek him out a year and a day later to receive a blow in return, that man would receive his battle axe (153). When no one answers his challenge, the Green Knight begins to mock their cowardice, saying: “Where are now your arrogance and your victories” “that everyone talks of in so many kingdoms?” (line 311, 310). Although Arthurs men are reputed as the bravest, most noble knights, “Arthur grew red with rage, as all the others did” (line 319-20) with the questioning of their courage, leading to Arthur’s acceptance of the challenge. From this we can deduce that outward appearances and other people’s perception of the court is what define their idea honor. King Arthur and his men, although reputed as being the noblest knights, do not feel this sense of honor from within themselves, but only feel it through the reinforcement of others believing they are honorable, valiant men.