Finding Morals Among the Knights
Chivalry, the elite code of conduct followed by the Knights of the Round Table, provides a framework of core values and qualities. Taking place during medieval times, the story, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, chronicles one of King Arthur’s most remarkable knights, Sir Gawain. His personal development evolves as he accepts challenges and departs on a grueling journey with the mission of achieving a higher status in the kingdom. Along the way, Sir Gawain faces an obstacle which could potentially cause him the risk of losing his Knight’s title and even his life. In the medieval romance novel, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the unknown author uses the character interactions of the Green Knight and Sir Gawain …show more content…
As Gawain journeys to the Green Chapel, he stops at an estate to rest. Lady Bertilak attempts nightly to seduce Gawain and he must find ways to avoid her advances to maintain the knightly code. With his virtue at stake, Gawain makes the conscious decision to follow the chivalrous code bestowed upon medieval knights and does not succumb to the dangerous sexual pressures. However, by the third night, he finally accepts her charmed green and gold silk girdle which would guarantee him life. The next day, while wearing the personal girdle, Sir Gawain learns of this trickery as the Green Knight states “I sent her to test you…” (_____185). He pleads confusion then becomes submissive in order to ensure his survival. The Green Knight exposes Sir Gawain’s failures to return the the gift. Sir Gawain returns it to the Green Knight, after he realizes that he has been made a fool. After initially accepting the sash, he makes a conscious choice of acting selfishly, a characteristic very unbecoming of a virtuous knight. Confronted by the Green Knight, Sir Gawain states he “gave in to greed,” acknowledging that fear led him to being mendacious (“Sir Gawain” 185). This sinful act tarnishes Gawain’s reputation. As a result, Sir Gawain would wear this girdle as a symbol of shame. He was more consumed with the pressure to live, rather than owning up to his committed transgression of accepting a gift and, as promised, not releasing it to the Green Knight. Even the most noble knight may have difficult choices involving the possibility of sin. Upon returning to King Arthur’s court, he reveals his shortcomings and infidelities. Gawain discloses that he will continue to wear the girdle, a badge of iniquity, for the rest of his life to acknowledge the dishonor he brought to not only himself but to the code of chivalry.
Chivalry, the elite code of conduct followed by the Knights of the Round Table, provides a framework of core values and qualities. Taking place during medieval times, the story, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, chronicles one of King Arthur’s most remarkable knights, Sir Gawain. His personal development evolves as he accepts challenges and departs on a grueling journey with the mission of achieving a higher status in the kingdom. Along the way, Sir Gawain faces an obstacle which could potentially cause him the risk of losing his Knight’s title and even his life. In the medieval romance novel, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the unknown author uses the character interactions of the Green Knight and Sir Gawain …show more content…
As Gawain journeys to the Green Chapel, he stops at an estate to rest. Lady Bertilak attempts nightly to seduce Gawain and he must find ways to avoid her advances to maintain the knightly code. With his virtue at stake, Gawain makes the conscious decision to follow the chivalrous code bestowed upon medieval knights and does not succumb to the dangerous sexual pressures. However, by the third night, he finally accepts her charmed green and gold silk girdle which would guarantee him life. The next day, while wearing the personal girdle, Sir Gawain learns of this trickery as the Green Knight states “I sent her to test you…” (_____185). He pleads confusion then becomes submissive in order to ensure his survival. The Green Knight exposes Sir Gawain’s failures to return the the gift. Sir Gawain returns it to the Green Knight, after he realizes that he has been made a fool. After initially accepting the sash, he makes a conscious choice of acting selfishly, a characteristic very unbecoming of a virtuous knight. Confronted by the Green Knight, Sir Gawain states he “gave in to greed,” acknowledging that fear led him to being mendacious (“Sir Gawain” 185). This sinful act tarnishes Gawain’s reputation. As a result, Sir Gawain would wear this girdle as a symbol of shame. He was more consumed with the pressure to live, rather than owning up to his committed transgression of accepting a gift and, as promised, not releasing it to the Green Knight. Even the most noble knight may have difficult choices involving the possibility of sin. Upon returning to King Arthur’s court, he reveals his shortcomings and infidelities. Gawain discloses that he will continue to wear the girdle, a badge of iniquity, for the rest of his life to acknowledge the dishonor he brought to not only himself but to the code of chivalry.