Similarities Between Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

Francesca Scola

12 January 2017

Ms. Williams

English II Sec. 1

Sir Gawain: Chivalrous or Human?

Chivalry was a lifestyle with extremely important moral codes for medieval knights to follow during the 1300s-1400s. Sir Gawain’s chivalry is challenged by the Green Knight by his use of games. Ultimately, the Green Knight’s believes that Sir Gawain is a worthy and commendable knight, who has upheld the chivalric codes expected of a knight in Arthur’s Court. Although, Sir Gawain exemplifies the qualities of an ideal knight by adhering to the codes of chivalry which include bravery, courage, strength, faith, courteousness to women, resistance of temptation, and humility, he is deemed human by a minor indiscretion committed at the end of the

poem.

Initially, when Sir Gawain steps up to take King Arthur’s place by accepting the Green Knight’s challenge, he exemplifies the chivalric code of bravery. In doing so Gawain proves that he is the bravest and best of King Arthur’s knights. During the Christmas feast at King Arthur’s court in Camelot, all of his knights are happily eating around the round table. Suddenly, a tall “Green Knight” bursts into the dining hall with his horse. After explaining why he is there, the Green Knight offers any of Arthur’s knights brave enough to come and swing his own axe at the Green Knight’s head. He then mocks Arthur, and challenges him to complete the task. Sir Gawain, who “was seated near the queen... leaned forward” (saying) “hear me my lord. Let his challenge be mine” (Burton, 339-342). By taking on the Green Knight’s challenge in the place of King Arthur, it is evident that Sir Gawain is the most valiant amongst all the knights and maintains the chivalric code of bravery. Additionally, standing up for Arthur exhibits Gawain’s loyalty for him. After accepting the Green Knight’s challenge, Gawain proceeds to take the Green Knight’s axe. He once again tells Arthur he can take on the challenge saying: “this foolish business fits my situation, not yours: let me play this green man’s game.” Then, “Arthur ordered his knight to rise.” Gawain then “rose and came quickly to the king, and kneeled, and accepted the green man’s axe as Arthur yielded it” (Burton, 358-369). Sir Gawain proves his bravery by taking on the challenge and then receives the Green Knight’s axe willingly at the foot of King Arthur. He tells Arthur to allow him to “play this green man’s game” because Gawain believes it fits his situation. Ultimately, Gawain proves his bravery by carrying out a deed that no one else dared to do.

Next, although Sir Gawain faces many challenges throughout his journey to find the Green Knight, he puts fate to the test and overcomes these obstacles by upholding the chivalric codes of courage, strength, and faith.

He is willing to adhere to these codes, taking risks that nearly claim his life. Before Gawain departs for his adventure to find the Green Knight, King Arthur hosts a feast in Gawain’s honor. His fellow knights worry for him, “their hearts were heavy. In secret thoughts, that day, Arthur’s hall rang with silent lament, sorrow for so good a man as Gawain, on so hard a quest.” Gawain only smiles saying: “should I waste my time fear? Whether pleasant or wild, fate must be put to the test” (Burton, 557-565). Instead of fretting over the likely risks he may encounter upon his journey, he must put fate to the test. This signifies that Gawain is strong and courageous, and he will not allow any dangerous obstacles to overcome him easily. Additionally, Gawain chooses to proceed on his adventure without the aid of other knights, demonstrating that he undoubtedly upholds his knightly values. After one year has passed since the Christmas feast challenge, he rides through England in pursuit of the Green Knight. Sir Gawain’s journey is arduous, passing through woods and hills along the way. As he reaches the north of Wales, and passes by the Anglesey Islands and rivers near the highland he finally arrives at the dreaded Wirral Forest, where only “few men lived whom God or

a good man could love” (Burton, 701-702). Despite asking several people if they have heard of the Green Knight, no one seems to have ever heard of him. Soon after, Gawain climbs:

over cliffs and strange lands, nowhere near home, friendless now. And at every ford over stream he found himself facing enemies so foul and wild, that they forced him to fight for his life. He met so many marvels in those hills it is difficult to tell a tenth of it--dragons attacked him, and sometimes wolves, and satyrs, and forest trolls, running out of rocks, and bulls, and bears, and ivory-tusked boars, and giant ogres leaping from crags. His strength saved him and his courage, and his faith in God: he could have died a dozen times over. (Burton, 713-726)

After encountering death several times during his quest to find the Green Knight, Gawain continuously upholds his courageous and faithful attitude by defeating these life-threatening obstacles. This shows that Gawain strives to be valorous and will complete his perilous journey.

Subsequently, even though Lord Bertilak’s wife tempts Sir Gawain three times, he refuses in a polite manner, upholding the chivalric code of being courteous to women. Ultimately, he resists Lord Bertilak’s wife brazen attempts to seduce him, while he is in his chamber. She comes to say good morning:

teasing him with a flurry of words. She then tries to tempt him saying: good sir,... stay where you are. You are not to rise: I’ve better plans, I’ll lock you where you lie, and sit where I am,... for I know who you are, Gawain himself, honored all over the world. She says that she has heard people praise Gawain for his chivalry: pure to lords, to ladies, to everyone alive. Since Gawain is “a man so loved” amongst the people, Lord Bertilak’s wife refuses: to waste (her) chance, for as long as it lasts. Shocked, Gawain shouts: Lord!, how lucky am I, lady, not to be the knight you speak of: to take that kind of honor for my own would be sinful; I know myself too well, By God, I’d be glad, if it pleased you, to offer you some different service, in word or deed: to such excellence would be endless delight. (Burton, 1222-1247)

Gawain is able to remain faithful to the codes of chivalry despite Lady Bertilak advances.

He politely refuses her intended actions, upholding the chivalric code of being courteous towards women. He attempts to offer her another service of word or deed, stating that it “would be an endless delight.” This shows that Gawain is able to maneuver his way around the wife’s flatteries and overcome temptation with ease. Consequently, “...Gawain is in trouble because his feelings are engaged, and they pull him towards her at the same time as his sense of propriety holds him back. The lady shamelessly plays on his reputation for courtesy, which gives him another problem: how does he refuse her while still maintaining his reputation?...” (Anderson, 346-347). The author shows that although Gawain’s “feelings are engaged”, his sense of morality holds him back from Lord Bertilak’s wife. Bertilak’s wife complements Gawain for his ability to be chivalric, which makes it difficult for him. Additionally, this shows that Gawain is able to listen to his conscience and uphold his morality. Similarly, Martin claims that Gawain is “urged by Bertilak to postpone his departure, sleep late, and relax indoors while his host hunts.” As a result of this matter, “Gawain had been rendered vulnerable to the lady of the house’s daily more insistent claims on the gallant guest’s reputation for lovemaking. These he manages to resist. Deflecting her flatteries…, Gawain keeps his word as a true knight should”

(Martin, 319). The author shows how Gawain becomes “vulnerable” to Lord Bertilak’s wife after he is encouraged by Bertilak to delay his departure and rest. Fortunately, Gawain manages to resist Lord Bertilak’s wife and “keep his word as a true knight should” by adhering to the chivalric codes.

Finally, Gawain displays the chivalric code of humility, when he humbles himself and declines the gifts Lord Bertilak’s wife presents to him. Although he knows he is one of the best knights he does not break this chivalric code. After accepting the Green Knight’s challenge, Sir Gawain humbles himself in saying: “I am the slightest, the dullest of them all; my life the least, my death no loss my only worth is you, my royal uncle, all my virtue is through you” (Burton, 354-357). In stating his weaknesses, Sir Gawain adheres to the chivalric code of humility. He also upholds his moral duties by proving his loyalty to the king by stating that his death would be no loss, and that he is willing to serve his king in any way possible. This shows that even though Gawain is a highly honored knight, he is not boastful, and speaks about himself in a humbling way. Likewise, Gawain exemplifies the code of humility when he refuses the precious and expensive gifts Lord Bertilak’s wife tempts him with. After a third attempt to seduce Gawain, Lord bertilak’s wife offers Gawain:

a red gold ring, richly worked set with a dazzling stone that shone like the sun a gift suitable for the ransoming of kings. But Gawain refused it, saying once: “My lady is fair, in God’s own name there’s nothing I can take, not now when I’ve nothing to give in return.” Lord Bertilak’s wife continues to persist hoping that he might take her belt, “neither as costly nor as good. She quickly drew it from around her waist,... Trimmed with gold, it was green silk embroidered with stones, but only at the edges, and she held it in her hand, begged that he take it.” Gawain refuses “explaining that until, by the grace of God, he was able to end the adventure he begun, he could never touch either gold or treasure” (Burton, 1818-1838).

Although he is tempted a third time by Lord Bertilak’s wife, Gawain continues to uphold his chivalric duties by once again politely and courteously refusing. Despite being presented with ornate treasures by Lord Bertilak’s wife, he continues to refuse, and will not touch treasure of any kind until he sees through to his promise of finding and meeting the Green Knight. Gawain is deemed not selfish nor greedy and able to overcome temptation by obeying the chivalric code of humility.

Unfortunately soon after, Gawain learns that he is only human, ultimately persuaded by Lord Bertilak’s wife to accept the belt, as she claims that it has special powers “for any man bound with this belt, this green lace locked around him, can never be killed, here under God’s own heaven--no blow, no trick, nothing can hurt him.” Gawain “hesitated, his heart reached for protection, like a thief for a gem: he could come to that chapel, and take that stroke, and with this glorious device walk off unharmed.” Lord Bertilak’s wife “pressed it on him, urgent--and he was ready to surrender, then smiling, surrendered” (Burton, 1851-1862). Gawain gives into temptation by accepting the belt, and allows Lord Bertilak’s wife persuasion to overpower him, breaking the code of chivalry. Overall, Gawain learns that he cannot always be a perfect knight by upholding the chivalric codes, and that sadly he is only human and will make mistakes and stray from the codes throughout his life to some degree.
In conclusion, Sir Gawain’s fervor and resolve to uphold the chivalric codes expected of a knight, which include bravery, courage, strength, faith, courtesy to women, resistance of temptation, and humility, are clearly depicted on his journey. Despite all the hardships he faces, his physical courage never waivers. His minor imprudence of accepting the belt does not serve as a major offense to discredit him from upholding any of the chivalric codes. It does confirm that while Gawain indeed was able to be the ideal knight, he was after all human.