In the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the character of Sir Gawain is depicted as the noblest knight in all of King Arthur's court. However, even though he is depicted as such, he still has his downfalls and shortcomings as a human being. I believe that by trying to fight his human nature through a guise of chivalry, Gawain shows us even more what a folly it is to fight our nature. This is best shown in his actions at Lord Bertilak's castle. By not fulfilling the whole promise to the Lord, Gawain shows that even the greatest of people can still have their weaknesses.
The way in which Gawain is built up is a sign of how he will eventually fail in the end. The unknown poet does this in a great way through the whole story. The poet makes sure to emphasize how great and noble Gawain is on several occasions thereby building up his esteem. The first incident in which Gawain shows us his nobility is when he accepts the challenge of the Green Knight. He accepts this challenge to prove his loyalty to his king, and to also "release" the king from his obligation to accept this challenge. Gawain even proves that he is greater than all the other knights by accepting this game before anybody else could. .
Upon arriving at the castle of Lord Bertilak, the reader is surprised to see how quickly the whole image of the noble Gawain unravels. The reader then begins to see how uncharacteristic a knight that Gawain is. The first incident of many incidents occurs with Lady Bertilak and the temptation of Gawain. Lady Bertilak, under the guidance of Morgan le Fay, attempts to test Gawain by seducing him and trying to make him commit adultery. This is not chivalrous and it also would break the Christian commandment of coveting your neighbor's wife. However, Gawain declines the offer that is given and still upholds his virtue as any true chivalrous knight would. He even declines Lady Bertilak with kindness and courteousness, but nevertheless Gawain is still a little nervous about what is going on with the lady.
In stanza 74, fit III of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the lady of the castle offers Sir Gawain a magical green girdle. ... Later Sir Gawain finds three faults in his actions. ... The observer's opinion of whether Sir Gawain is forgiven is the complete opposite of Sir Gawain's. ... Sir Gawain had just given up on God (Howard, p. 203). ... When Sir Gawain returns to Camelot, he recalls his story. ...
Two actions in this story show Sir Gawain's chivalry and humanize him. ... The lord welcomed the knight with open arms and said that whatever he hunted, he would give to Sir Gawain at the end of the day, and whatever Sir Gawain got, he had to give to the lord. ... The first day, she gave him a kiss, so Sir Gawain had to kiss the lord. ... The final day, the wife gave Sir Gawain a sash and three kisses. ... When Sir Gawain got to the Green Castle, the Green Knight went to strike him over the head and Sir Gawain flinched twice. ...
The way in which Sir Gawain demonstrates bravery is when the green knight says to Gawain (pg.81, line-2274) Did I flinch, or flee from you when your blow felled me? ... The second knightly virtue that Sir Gawain demonstrates in the story "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" is courage. The way in which Sir Gawain demonstrates courage is when the lord leaves him and is telling Gawain that the knight of the Green Chapel is fierce and deadly, and that he kills every man he meets. ... As the lord is leaving Gawain, (pg.71, line- 2156) Gawain says I'll neither groan nor weep. ... The way in which...
At the end of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, we encounter opinions of how bad Gawain's sin really was from three sources: Bertilak, King Arthur, and Sir Gawain. Sir Gawain's view of his own sin seems harsh. ... The Gawain-poet refers to Gawain's telling the knights and ladies of Camelot about his encounter at the Green Chapel as a confession of his "cares and discomfitures" (2494). ... He claims that Gawain's morally exceptional behavior impresses him, even though Gawain kept the lady's gift of the girdle a secret. ... He admits that Gawain has flaws, but he spares h...
In the tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the lady of the castle tempts Sir Gawain with a magical, green girdle and explains to him that the wearer of this corset "could not be killed by any craft on earth.(1854)" Sir Gawain, amidst an ethical dilemma, accepts the gift and chooses to conceal it from Lord Bercilak. ... When Sir Gawain is offered the girdle, his knightly principles are questioned. ... The observers" opinions of whether Sir Gawain is forgiven are the complete opposite of Sir Gawain's. ... When Sir Gawain returns to Camelot, he recalls his story, humiliated and humb...
The trial Sir Gawain encounters is loneliness and fear. ... In part three Sir Gawain meets the goddess. ... Sir Gawain finds her to be beautiful to his sight. In part three Sir Gawain comes upon the woman as a temptress. ... Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. ...
I recently read the book Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. ... She tries to tempt Sir Gawain. ... This green sash is Sir Gawain's ultimate boon. ... The King invites Sir Gawain to stay with him. Sir Gawain is tempted to stay and not return to Camelot. ...
In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the Pearl Poet emphasizes certain aspects of a knight's appearance and mannerisms. ... Sir Gawain either already has all of these qualities, or he learns from his mistakes to learn them in the end of the poem. ... Additionally, when the Green Knight appears in front of Sir Gawain, both of them are equals. Therefore when the Green Knight offers the challenge and Sir Gawain accepts, he accepts a challenge from an equal, which upholds the code. ... Sir Gawain, in both of these occasions, has risen to the challenge and has proven that he is a worthy knight...
The legends of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Morte d" Arthur have similarities to the ideas of a medieval romance such as shows of courage and depictions of honor. Courage is a steady theme for both the legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and the legend of Morte d" Arthur. For instance, Sir Gawain embodies courage when he takes King Arthur's place in the Green Knights challenge. ... In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Sir Gawain shows an incredible amount of honor when he respects his challenge. ... Honor and courage are very prevalent characteristics in medieval romances ...
