Essay On Chivalry In The Green Knight And Arthur

Chivalry in the Green Knight and Arthur

The Knight’s Codes

An Honorable knight should have many characteristics. From being loyal to doing what’s right for the common good; a knight must meet these standards. These knight’s go by a code, known as the knight’s code; Chivalry. Every knight in these two stories of the Green Knight and Malory and Arthur thrives to be the best knight possible. You may make a mistake here and there, but what is important is not making that mistake twice. These knight have great courage and respect for their king to do whatever he pleases. To be the greatest knight you have to continuously keep proving yourself. In the Green Knight and Malory and Arthur, the theme of chivalry courage, honor, and strength plays a big

part within each and every knight in the two stories.
First, In the Green Knight, the green knight tricks his nephew to show how honorable and loyal he is as a knight.

The green knight puts Gawain to a challenge to cut his throat. Gawain cuts the knights head off, but the knight grabs his head and walks away. Gawain has to come back in a year to meet up with him due to the challenge. Gawain doesn’t want to be known as a man that isn’t true to his word. “True men pay what they owe; No danger then in sight. You failed at the third throw, so take my tap, sir knight.” (Lines 444-447 Green Knight). Gawain did what he did to keep his status as an honorable and respectful

knight.
Then, In Malory and Arthur, Bedivere had to build up the courage to do what the king wants him to do before he dies. Bedivere was one of the greatest knights King Arthur had, as well as his brother Sir Lucan. Lucan dies fighting for Arthur towards the end. King Arthur was wanting one thing from Bedivere before he dies after the fight with his son Mordred. King Arthur wanted Bedivere to throw the sword into water. Bedivere lied to the king and hid Excalibur under a tree. King Arthur says, “Now hast thou betrayed me twice. Who would have weened that thou that has been to me so loved and dear, and thou art named a noble knight, and would betray me for the riches of this sword.” (Malory and Arthur). King Arthur couldn’t believe Bedivere would do such a thing after being on of Arthur’s greatest knights. Bedivere had to build up the courage to throw Excalibur into the waters for the king. When Bedivere through the sword a hand came up and grabbed Excalibur and disappeared. It took great courage from Bedivere to throw such a powerful sword into the water for the King.
Lastly, strength plays a big role in chivalry in The Green Knight and Malory and Arthur.

A great knight needs strength to get to the top. A knight needs to be able to protect his king. Like Sir Lucan dying for King Arthur. In The Green Knight, Gawain showed the green person that he had great strength by showing back up the next year. He knew he was walking into his death by doing this. “Then the grim man in green gathers his strength, Heaves high the heavy ax to hit him with the blow.” (Lines 353-354 Green Knight). To take such a blow from an axe to stay to his word shows great strength in a knight. Gawain is a knight that shows chivalry as a great loyal knight.

The Green Knight and Malory and Arthur are two legend stories that show great chivalry. Chivalry plays a major part in these traditional type of writing’s. Courage, honor, and strength all makes up the code of chivalry. A knight must follow these codes if they want to be one of the greats like Sir Lucan and Sir Bedivere. These two knights had the courage and strength to fight for Arthur. By doing this they received the honor and respect they got from the

king.