The Chivalric Code In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

Women’s role in society has drastically changed throughout human history. The uniqueness of each separate culture’s beliefs regarding women is something that differs and can often times be found in their literature. In the middle english story Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Gawain, a knight of Arthur 's court in Camelot, must live up to a deal he struck with a Green Knight which brings about his inevitable death. Throughout this conflict, Gawain struggles with the ethics inforced by the chivalric code. Not only does this code of conduct apply to Gawain, but to other characters as well. In the story and other Arthurian tales, certain women such as Guinevere, Mary, Lady Bertilak, and Morgan Le Faye demonstrate the various capabilities of women, …show more content…
For example, while Bertilak is on the hunt, he has her test Gawain by offering him various gifts and kisses. In doing so, Lady Bertilak attempts to embody the perfect and ideal women in the chivalric code. She is extremely loving, loyal, and respectful. The way in which she tries to flatter Gawain is somewhat successful. This is shown when Gawain firsts sees Lady Bertilak and describes her, “She [Lady Bertilak] was the fairest amongst them-her face, her flesh, her complexion, her quality, her bearing, her body, more glorious than Guinevere, or so Gawain thought…” This method for testing Gawain is intelligent which is proven by Gawain 's obliviousness and again goes to show the power and intelligence of women in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Although she also uses the chivalric code, Lady Bertilak is very different than the other two previous female characters. She is involved in a plot to kill Guinevere. This is most definitely not approved by the chivalric code, but she still is demonstrated as smart and valuable. Lady Bertilak demonstrates the intelligence of women, while only relying on the chivalric code to some