Heroic Qualities In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

Some definitions for the word “Hero” include brave, noble, and admirable. And Sir Gawain is all of those words listed and more. Heroic characters are frequently placed on a pedestal. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, we encounter Sir Gawain, a character with very human qualities. See he was sort of a celebrity because he was King Arthur’s nephew. Man cannot be considered a hero unless he has overcome some sort of opposition. He must surmount some force within his own self in order to be dubbed a hero. Originally faced with the challenge of the Green Knight, Gawain must face temptation and less-than-heroic qualities within himself and he doesn’t necessarily overcome them all. Sir Gawain may be regarded as a heroic adventurer in his pursuit of the mysterious Green Knight. Through the poem, he presents himself with the upmost ideals of chivalry, honor, and honesty. In the poem, we find our hero is faced with a quest of amazing proportions. He represents a hero because the truest hero is one who learns from his mistakes. Sir Gawain realizes and understands where he has failed.

One of Sir Gawain’s traits that I admire, and in my opinion, has disappeared is Chivalry. In

the beginning of the poem, we learn that the good knight has a picture of the hoy mother Mary inside of his shield. “…it was fitting then that Gawain had her image depicted inside his shield so when he looked at it, his heart would not falter” (Gawain, line 648-650). A true knight was expected to be loyal to God, and to observe all of their religion practices. Even his perilous journey didn’t stop him from worshipping his God. During his search for the Green Chapel, Gawain stopped his journey on Christmas Eve to find a proper place to worship God. “… I beg you, Lord, and Mary the dearest and mildest of mothers, for some shelter where I may devoutly hear Mass and Matins tomorrow” (Gawain, line 753-756). Gawain does what is obligated in order to keep that loyalty to God unblemished.
What also comes with Chivalry is being a gentleman. Even when Lady Bertilak tried to seduce him, he stayed polite and did not shun her away. At the same time, he did not let her win. “…You are welcome to my body to exercise your power. I am obliged, and willing to bend to your strength” (Gawain, line 1237-1240). Wow, Lady Bertilak, very bold and raunchy of you. We all know the flesh is weak, but Sir Gawain deserves ample props for this. Think about it. He could’ve had his way with her, but being the respectable man he is, rejected her by saying that her own husband, Lord Bertilak is a better a man. “…I am unworthy to rise to such an honour as you suggest here” (Gawain, line 1243-1244). He continues to guard himself while still being gracious.
Death to a warrior is honor. As a knight, And despite his hear of the inevitable, Gawain displays much honor by this heroic act. He shows his loyalty to Arthur from the start of the story, when he accepts the challenge of the Green Knight in Arthur’s place. Even when the decision was left to the other knights, none accepted. They weren’t ride or die for real. After being tricked, Sir Gawain, knowing of his impending death, went looking for the Green Chapel. He continues to keep his word even though his journey is lonely and dangerous. “He struggled up cliffs in godforsaken regions, as far from friends, he wandered as a stranger…He faced so many trials there in hills. I couldn’t recount a small fraction of them...” (Gawain, line 713-714, 718-719). His persistence is a visual of honor. I wonder what was going on in his mind. His departure conveys the importance of self-sacrifice. “…he takes his lance at once and bids them all farewell-as he thought for evermore” (Gawain, line 667-669). Poor Gawain! Talk about a stressful send off. He thought he would never return to the court again.
At the end of the poem, Sir Gawain finally reaches a chapel and questions if “it’s a place fit for the Devil” (Gawain, line 2193). Then, he goes on a rant, describing why it would be perfect for green adventurer. “…its desolate round here, an ugly oratory indeed, overgrown with weeds. It’s well suited for that knight in green to offer up his prayers to the Devil” (Gawain, line 2188-2195). The Green Knight and Sir Gawain are now face to face. He welcomes Gawain warmly while Gawain tries to act unafraid as he bares his neck for the deadly blow. After several attempts, he is left with nothing but a slight cut. The Green Knight assures Gawain that he has met his terms and refuses to fight. He reveals himself as Lord Bertilak and explains that the cut from the third blow was punishment for Gawain’s behavior on the third day, when he failed to tell the truth about the green girdle.
Looks like the Green Knight has gained compassion and mercy. He understood his actions because “Gawain likes being alive” (Gawain, line 2365-2366). Gawain then does something some of us have too much pride for; he owns up to his mistakes. “I confess to you, Sir Knight, my behaviour has been wrong. Tell me what to do and I will be more careful” (Gawain, line 2384-2387). Gawain is asked to attend several parties, but makes his way back to Arthur’s place. And worn beneath his left arm is the green girdle. Sir Gawain vows to wear Lady Bertilak’s garter as a shameful reminder of the test he fails. “…I will willingly wear it, not for its fine gold…but as a sign of my sinfulness…as a reminder to me of the fraility and weakness of the treacherous flesh” (Gawain, line 2430-2436).
Throughout the poem, Gawain is tested and is found to be truthful until a game in which his flaw is revealed. Even though Sir Gawain made the mistake of giving up his faith by wearing the sash, it does not mean he’s not hero anymore. It just shows how human he is. Often in most epics, the hero comes by his qualities as a birthright, sometimes having links to gods or other epic heroes. Epics like Beowulf expressed qualities such as wisdom and physical strength. For example, Beowulf boasted about his abilities. Gawain simply stood up and took King Arthur’s place. Unlike most epics, Gawain brings a sense of reality to the tale. He’s admirable because has the opportunity to not go through the task, yet remains honorable and is determined to do it. He also admits when he is wrong. And holds his values and beliefs dearly. This is the flaw in his personality which makes him a believable character. We can better relate to Gawain because he demonstrates how human he is.
Both Sir Gawain and I are entirely made of flaws, but with our good intentions, our flaws are overlooked by the good qualities we are instilled with.

Gawain’s fear of death and receipt of the lady’s girdle showed a human emotion that many of us could associate to. Most people have felt fear in their lives, and could understand Gawain wanting to save his life. We have to remember that, we, as humans are not perfect and we make mistakes. He is honest, brave, and loyal, until his fear of dying becomes too great to bear. The poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight not only tells a story of a courageous knight, but of how even the most heroic of men are flawed. Heroes are humans just like the rest of us. Gawain made a mistake and was able to show heroism throughout the poem and that what makes him a

hero.