Chivalry is the golden standard by which all noble knights conduct themselves. No knight embodies this notion more than Sir Gawain. The tale of Sir Gawain and the green knight is a perfect example of the nature of chivalry, courtly love and the struggle to maintain the epitome of honor, truth, and chastity. However, the best of knight's can still fall prey to the wiles of women and the perils of cowardly thoughts despite the chivalric training. The nature of chivalry is not just in the code itself but also in the way, it is represented. Sir Gawain is the perfect model of courtly love, upholding the chivalric expectations that follow this practice. When meeting the lady of the manor, he is quick to offer his services unwaveringly should
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There are many instances of courage thought the story, for example, when Gawain steps up to accept the challenge of the Green Knight without knowing his intentions. Another example would be Gawain's journey to the green chapel as he fought his way through dangerous lands and offered valiant services to those in need. Yet the greatest act of courage would be when he allowed the Green Knight to take a swing at his head with the axe. Yet it is easy to fall into cowardice despite the chivalric training, although any knight is willing to give all for king and country there is still the basic need to value one's life and live. Sir Gawain is a perfect example of this; although he was brave enough to withstand the first two strokes, he was cowardly towards the end due to the love of his own life. This is why he took the girdle from the lady of the manor and why he latter flung it down stating dread of death blow and cowardly doubts meant I gave in to greed, and in doing so forgot the freedom and fidelity every knight knows to follow (2379-81). It is easy to understand faltering under such circumstances yet Gawain keeps coming back having gained a new look at what chivalry really is and understanding its important yet flawed
There are many instances of courage thought the story, for example, when Gawain steps up to accept the challenge of the Green Knight without knowing his intentions. Another example would be Gawain's journey to the green chapel as he fought his way through dangerous lands and offered valiant services to those in need. Yet the greatest act of courage would be when he allowed the Green Knight to take a swing at his head with the axe. Yet it is easy to fall into cowardice despite the chivalric training, although any knight is willing to give all for king and country there is still the basic need to value one's life and live. Sir Gawain is a perfect example of this; although he was brave enough to withstand the first two strokes, he was cowardly towards the end due to the love of his own life. This is why he took the girdle from the lady of the manor and why he latter flung it down stating dread of death blow and cowardly doubts meant I gave in to greed, and in doing so forgot the freedom and fidelity every knight knows to follow (2379-81). It is easy to understand faltering under such circumstances yet Gawain keeps coming back having gained a new look at what chivalry really is and understanding its important yet flawed