Everyone is imperfect; every human that has lived, who will live and who is living currently will and has made mistakes. Even though it’s practically impossible to be perfect 100% of the time, there are many people in the world, who, despite their impurities and faults are considered to be ‘perfect’, good, kind, loving people, or otherwise called, “perfectly imperfect people.” The character, Sir Gwain, in “Sir Gwain and the Green Knight” is an irrefutable example of that saying.
In the story, Sir Gwain demonstrates the essential virtues listed in the Code of Chivalry, which required, at the time, all knights to be honorable, honest, loyal, and have valor, along with many other essential qualities. He shows valor when he goes in search of the Green Knight. Sir Gwain is aware that his fate is dim, yet he takes great courage and follows through with his promise. “…We must all submit to …show more content…
Though he displays honorable intentions and remains “strong in the face of womanly beauty”, he still falls short. During his three encounters with Lady Bertilak, he chooses to playfully flirt, even though he knows she is married. He even flirts in front of Bertilak, “Lady Bertilak, I will do all I can to keep you entertained, but do not over-expect. I am, at bottom, a man of action and not words.” (Part 1, Sir Gwain and the Green Knight) Flirting with a married woman is not the only flaw Sir Gwain possesses. Though he is an honest knight and deals honestly with Bertilak most of the story, he chooses to withhold the special belt that Lady Bertilak gives him from Bertilak, despite the agreement he made with Bertilak. “I took this slight cut out of your flesh with justice, for you are wearing something that is mine: The green garter that my wife gave you, and which is now belted around your waist. This you should have surrendered to me, by the rules of our pact.” (Part 2, Sir Gwain and the Green
In the story, Sir Gwain demonstrates the essential virtues listed in the Code of Chivalry, which required, at the time, all knights to be honorable, honest, loyal, and have valor, along with many other essential qualities. He shows valor when he goes in search of the Green Knight. Sir Gwain is aware that his fate is dim, yet he takes great courage and follows through with his promise. “…We must all submit to …show more content…
Though he displays honorable intentions and remains “strong in the face of womanly beauty”, he still falls short. During his three encounters with Lady Bertilak, he chooses to playfully flirt, even though he knows she is married. He even flirts in front of Bertilak, “Lady Bertilak, I will do all I can to keep you entertained, but do not over-expect. I am, at bottom, a man of action and not words.” (Part 1, Sir Gwain and the Green Knight) Flirting with a married woman is not the only flaw Sir Gwain possesses. Though he is an honest knight and deals honestly with Bertilak most of the story, he chooses to withhold the special belt that Lady Bertilak gives him from Bertilak, despite the agreement he made with Bertilak. “I took this slight cut out of your flesh with justice, for you are wearing something that is mine: The green garter that my wife gave you, and which is now belted around your waist. This you should have surrendered to me, by the rules of our pact.” (Part 2, Sir Gwain and the Green