Integrity In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

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The theme of the poem “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” is integrity. Theme is the central idea or message in a work of literature. In this poem, integrity is shown in the character Sir Gawain throughout majority of the writing. Integrity is moral uprightness or truthfulness. Sir Gawain is a man of integrity and that is portrayed through his actions. Sir Gawain’s integrity was revealed in tests. Three tests that displayed Sir Gawain’s integrity was when he accepted the challenge in place of King Arthur, resisted the seduction of the Green Knight’s wife, and accepted the ax blows from the Green Knight.
Sir Gawain’s first act of integrity was when he accepted the Green Knights’ challenge in place of King Arthur. Sir Gawain showed respect towards the King by taking his challenge. Gawain could have let King Arthur do the challenge, but instead took it for himself. Gawain was also respecting the code of chivalry. Gawain was humble, chivalric, and noble. Sir Gawain decided to strike the ax against the Green Knight to show respect and honour for King Arthur. …show more content…

Although Gawain was not aware that the lady was the Green Knight’s wife, he still rejected her. Sir Gawain showed his morals when he only accepted the lady’s kisses and nothing more. Gawain and the lord exchange what they won at the end of the day. Gawain gave the kiss to the lord each night, which revealed that the lady kissed him. Gawain could have kept the kisses hidden from the lord, but instead he was truthful. Although he did not reveal the truth about the sash that he received from the lady immediately, he did eventually in the end. Gawain revealing the truth every night to the lord and resisting the lady showed his integrity

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