Does The Green Knight Follow The Code Of Chivalry

Back in the days of old, when knights still served their lords, all knights had to follow a certain code which makes a knight noble and true. This code is called the Code of Chivalry. Each brave knight followed this code, and they went against the code, they were severely punished, most of the time with their lives. But you may remember in the story of the Wife of Bath’s Tale from the Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. The main character of the story was a knight who disobeyed the code and violated a young woman. Instead of death, he was sentenced to interrogate every woman to find out what women truly want. He got off pretty easy, considering he had to marry that old woman in the end. But what does it mean to follow this Code of Chivalry.

The Code of Chivalry is a code that can be characterized by three main characteristics: Courage, Honor/ Respect, and Strength. In the stories, Green Knight and Morte d’Arthur, the knights presented in these tales can symbolize the significance of the honorable code in these two stories.
In the story, Green Knight translated by Marie Borroff, Sir Gawain is the brave knight that accepts the challenge of the Green Knight, to swing his axe at his neck, and get something equal in return.

Gawain shows much strength here, for in one swipe he takes his head off in one clean blow, and courage for accepting the challenge and knowing he might get the same in return. After beheading the challenging opponent, Green knight’s body walks over and picks up his head and tells Gawain that he had a twelvemonth to find him and he will get his reward for doing so. When time came around, He sets off and finds this knight. Here he shows much courage and honor here by showing up and being a man of his word. The Green Knight is sharpening his weapon, ready to repay Gawain. When he swings at him, he only nicks his neck, for he noticed that he had flinched. He tells him that he didn’t flinch when he did it to him, so he shouldn’t either. Then he swings again and nicks his neck again. This time Gawain is mad and sick of waiting so he draws on the knight and wants to battle him now. The knight then explains to him that he passed his test of being a great knight and living up to the code like a noble man

would.
In the story Morte d’Arthur, by Sir Thomas Malory, there are two other knights in here, besides Gawain, that represent the chivalry code, first, starting with a noble man named Sir Lucan.

Lucan shows a lot of Honor, Respect, Courage, and Strength towards his lord, King Arthur. After being advised to fight another day, by Gawain in a dream, and wait for Sir Lancelot to arrive and help, Arthur went off to the battle anyway. Both sides signed a treaty stating that if either side draws their weapon first, they will battle. After a snake had attacked on of his men, Arthur drew his sword to kill the snake, mistakenly alarming everyone to attack. In the aftermath, Arthur sees most of his men lying down on the ground dead, with Sir Lucan and Sir Bedevere still by his side. He glances around as spots Mordred off in the distance. Lucan tells him to seek revenge another day, but Arthur grabs up his spear and charges and kills Mordred, along with Mordred returning the favor and bashing open the King’s head. Lucan and belvedere carry him to a nearby chapel. So far, the Code of Chivalry shines bright within Lucan, for he cares much about his king and his wellbeing, and courage and honor for staying with him through the fight. He listens to Arthur when he asks him to see what the commotion was outside, and sees pillagers and thieves raiding the battlefield, He wants to move him to a better place, but the king is not able to. Lucan tries to show his strength again by trying to pick him up,

but his abdomen area tears open and his guts spill out and his heart bursts, Lucan was a good example of a worthy knight who followed the code
Also in the story Morte d’Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory, there is another loyal member of Arthur’s round table, Sir Bedevere. Bedevere shows just as much loyalty, honor, courage, strength, and respect for Arthur as much as Lucan did, but I believe he showed it in a different manner. After Lucan died, Arthur asks Bedevere to go throw his mighty sword, Excalibur, back into the lake. He goes out, and feels bad about throwing such a magnificent treasure back into the lake. He returns and is asked what he saw after throwing it back in. He stated the water was rippling and nothing more. Arthur knew he lied so he commanded him to go throw it in. Bedevere goes again, and fails to throw it in once more. He returns and is asked what he saw after throwing it in. He says he saw the rippling waves and nothing more. Arthur felt betrayed, and commanded him to throw it in at once! Bedevere returns to the lake and throws it as hard as he can. Suddenly, a hand reaches out and captures the sword and disappears underwater. After he returns, Arthur knows he threw it in and asks him to help carry him out to the lake. Bedevere helps him out and there is a barge by the shore, boarded by the Queens. He carries him to it and Arthur gets on and sails off and disappears. These noble knights show their true worthiness by bearing the Code of Chivalry.

The Code of Chivalry is a code that can be characterized by three main characteristics: Courage, Honor/ Respect, and Strength. In the stories, Green Knight and Morte d’Arthur, the knights presented in these tales can symbolize the significance of the honorable code in these two stories. These characteristics were exampled by these three chivalrous kinsmen in the stories Green Knight and Morte d’Arthur. Some other characteristics that can define chivalry can be being a gentleman, respect, pride, intelligence, integrity, and others. Are there possibly people who are evil, like Mordred, which can still follow the Code of Chivalry? It definitely depends on how it’s looked at, because some groups might have different morals and standards where maybe what some would call abusing women, would look like honoring them. It is a perspective thing. But among these stories, these three knight, Sir Gawain, Sir Lucan, and Sir Bedevere are true chivalrous warriors.