Sir Gawain Relationship With The Green Knight Essay

In her first novel, Contending Forces, renowned African-American novelist Pauline Hopkins writes, “And, after all, our surroundings influence our lives and characters as much as fate, destiny, or any supernatural agency.” For Hopkins, who spent her life writing about social and racial issues during the post Civil War era, one’s surroundings and circumstances weigh heavily and crucially on character and behavior. Likewise, the development of Sir Gawain’s humanity is evident as Gawain ventures to the outside world, confronting a plethora of difficulties. He experiences a sensation novel to him in Camelot: discomfort. A chivalrous knight who is always treated with respect is compelled to partake in an adventure that involves tremendous mental

and physical difficulties to fulfill the Chivalry Code. Sir Gawain is highly affected by his cultural and physical surroundings because of his commitment to follow the Chivalry Code as a knight, the difficulties he confronts during his journey to the Green Chapel, and due to his self-revelatory confrontation with the Green Knight.

Gawain is a knight who is a part of Arthur’s court. Throughout his life, he is surrounded by fellow knights who strive to be chivalrous and noble. As a result, it is completely natural for Gawain to follow the Chivalry Code, a quintessential custom for knights. The knightly virtues consist of generosity, courtesy, chastity, chivalry, and piety. His courtesy is revealed during his exchange with Lady Bertilak. In response to Lady Bertilak’s flirtatious comments, Gawain says, “I hardly deserve to receive such respect, whereas you are genuinely joyful and generous” (Armitage 105). Despite the fact that Lady Bertilak attempts to tempt Gawain into falling in love with her, he remains calm like a noble knight and politely opposes every “attack.” Remaining polite during this situation reveals how courteous Gawain is; he manages to refuse respectfully despite her aggression. In addition, Gawain’s piety is shown in his constant prayer throughout the journey. Devoutness in desperation

is displayed when Gawain prays, “Father, hear me, and Lady Mary, our mother most mild, let me happen on some house where mass might be heard, and matins in the morning; meekly I ask, and have I utter my pater, ave and creed” (Armitage 71). In his culture, religion is considered to be a fundamental part of life and thus, when Gawain faces trouble, he earnestly prays for help and support. After experiencing tremendous plight fighting terrifying creatures and almost freezing to death, Gawain prays for strength, shelter, and for mass. His prayers become more desperate and frequent as his situation becomes more severe. While it is understandable that he would pray for strength and shelter, it is impressive that he would pray for mass also. Most importantly, chivalry is a trait that is required of all knights. Along with Arthur’s knights who are trained to be courageous, Gawain is expected to be especially brave because his uncle is Arthur, the famed and charismatic king. Arthur demonstrates his chivalry as a knight when he volunteers to take up the Green Knight’s challenge. Gawain raises his voice and states, “I stake my claim. This moment must be mine” (Armitage 43). No other knight - except Arthur - is known to be capable of doing so. Courageously proving his bravery, Gawain accepts the pact for the sake of the other knights. Gawain continues to fulfill the Chivalry Code throughout his journey, confirming his character as a genuinely chivalrous knight.
Gawain confronts massive difficulties in search for the Green Knight, which proves to be significantly influential in his journey.

Since Gawain is a well-respected knight of Arthur’s court, he is accustomed to living in comfort. Despite his preferences, he is obligated to face challenges in the form of wild boars, bears, serpents, giants, and other horrendous creatures. In addition, he ends up experiencing a near-death situation by almost freezing to death. Nightmares consume his sleep and during this time of difficulty, he prays desperately. He does not fall in the hands of death because his faith and strength remain strong. In this circumstance, “Only diligence and faith in the face of death will keep him from becoming a corpse or carrion” (Armitage 69). Although he feels a tremendous amount of discomfort and hardship, he continues onward with persistence. Through the hardship, Gawain becomes stronger, smarter, and more resilient. He solely relies on faith and determination to fight against the ruthlessness of nature and his circumstances. In fact, his physical suffering changes Gawain for good; he is now more comfortable with and more adapted to unkind environments. This is a notable achievement for a knight who has lived his whole life in peace and

ease.
Gawain’s meeting with the Green Knight greatly affects his moral standings. As a knight who is seemingly “perfect,” he is welcomed warmly by Lord Bertilak and is treated with utmost respect in the Lord’s castle. Throughout his stay, however, he is tested by the Green Knight (Lord Bertilak) in disguise for a span of three days. On the third day, Gawain’s flaw is revealed when during the exchange with the Lord, Gawain does not give everything away that he has obtained on that day. Gawain, earlier, receives a green girdle from Lady Bertilak, who ensures that the bearer of this girdle will be saved from death. Afraid of death, Gawain keeps on to this girdle, for the sake of his own life. This shows his fault in honesty; because of fear, he breaks the pact by not giving away all of the possessions that he receives. Upon realizing that he lacks in honesty, Gawain feels a vast amount of guilt. For remembrance, he chooses to wear the green girdle at all times. The decision to dwell on his flaw demonstrates Gawain’s commitment to improving himself as a knight.
Through his experiences with intense physical and cultural influences, Gawain changes for the better. As a knight who is culturally influenced to follow the Code of Chivalry, he demonstrates the five knightly virtues: generosity, courtesy, chastity, chivalry, and piety. As a man on a difficulty journey, Gawain becomes more resilient and strong in faith. As a man who learns a lesson about his flaw, Gawain attempts to change by constantly reminding himself of it.
Fate or destiny may have played a part in Gawain being born to be a noble knight, but it was ultimately his surroundings that allowed Gawain to transform and grow into a honorable knight.