The Medieval English romance Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a great literary piece that narrates the journey of a chivalrous, heroic knight who goes on a journey and faces countless risks and supernatural threats in between, to show his king his abilities and courageous behavior. The principle of chivalry has played a key role in English society through out the ages. Knights during this time follow three codes of conducts in which the knights venture to keep their honor by doing as their lord commands. These three codes are the knightly conduct, the chivalric code, and courtly love. Through these three codes, readers observe how Sir Gawain shows true chivalry in his travels to the Green Chapel to meet the mysterious Green Knight and his
…show more content…
Sir Gawain makes it clear that he relies on the almighty God to help him through his conquest. He shows no fear or apprehensiveness towards death at all. His display of religious virtues is based on his trust in God. His faith in God is shown when he says, “Tomorrow I go to the green man and his axe, / Tomorrow without fail, as God guides me” (lines 548-549). Through these words, readers see the faith that Sir Gawain has in God and his ability to guide him through his struggles. Another instance we see Gawain’s faith is when he states, “ God is good ' / Said the knight. 'I’ll not weep / Or complain: I keep / My trust in Him, I’ll do as He would '" (2156-2159). Gawain shows now fear in his impending death. He decides that in order to get through his fate, he must keep his faith and keep his trust in Him. However, even though Gawain is not afraid of death when he enters the Chapel, he does flinch in fear when the Green Knight takes his swing. He realizes that his life is about to come to an end "And to Gawain his chances / Of living seemed scant" (2307-2308). Human instincts kick in and his fear overpowers his belief, but still, his trust in God’s protection never left his side. His virtues kept him solid in the fear of the Green Knight’s challenge and gave him strength to leave
Sir Gawain makes it clear that he relies on the almighty God to help him through his conquest. He shows no fear or apprehensiveness towards death at all. His display of religious virtues is based on his trust in God. His faith in God is shown when he says, “Tomorrow I go to the green man and his axe, / Tomorrow without fail, as God guides me” (lines 548-549). Through these words, readers see the faith that Sir Gawain has in God and his ability to guide him through his struggles. Another instance we see Gawain’s faith is when he states, “ God is good ' / Said the knight. 'I’ll not weep / Or complain: I keep / My trust in Him, I’ll do as He would '" (2156-2159). Gawain shows now fear in his impending death. He decides that in order to get through his fate, he must keep his faith and keep his trust in Him. However, even though Gawain is not afraid of death when he enters the Chapel, he does flinch in fear when the Green Knight takes his swing. He realizes that his life is about to come to an end "And to Gawain his chances / Of living seemed scant" (2307-2308). Human instincts kick in and his fear overpowers his belief, but still, his trust in God’s protection never left his side. His virtues kept him solid in the fear of the Green Knight’s challenge and gave him strength to leave