Chivalric Ideals In Sir Gawain

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Sir Gawain is a story which was translated by Brian Stone. It discusses a man’s journey of honesty, morals, and values. The story mainly revolves around knightly activity and adventure. In the story, Sir Gawain displays his form of chivalry. The story begins with the lords and ladies playing the New Year’s games and exchanging gifts with one another. As they were feasting, they were interrupted by a gigantic knight in a green costume with gold detailing. While everyone was in shock, the Green Knight demands to see the person in charge to ask for a request. Sir Gawain decides to take on the Green Knight’s request and behead him with the axe. Throughout the story, Sir Gawain displays three out of nine chivalric ideals: brave, religious, and humble.…show more content…
During Sir Gawain’s journey, he proves bravery the entire time. According to Sir Gawain, bravery and honor are the most important qualities a knight should have at all times. Also, it shows signs of good character. An example that Sir Gawain remained brave was accepting the Green Knight’s challenge. I am the weakest, the most wanting in wisdom, I know, And my life, if lost, would be least missed, truly. Only through your being my uncle, am I to be valued. (pg 34) By stating this quote, Sir Gawain does not want King Arthur to lose his life and he rather risks his own life to keep him safe. He accepts the challenge by beheading the Green Knight’s head. Another example that proves Sir Gawain is brave is going to find the Green Knight a year later to complete the challenge. There was one instance where Sir Gawain was not brave: cringing while the Knight strokes him with the axe. “Not again Shall I flinch as I did before; But if my head pitch to the plain, its off for evermore.” (pg 106) Along the way, he gains his bravery back and survives getting killed by the axe. Later on, the green Knight applauds Sir Gawain and says he is one of the worthiest knights he’s come…show more content…
Humility is the demonstration of one of the knightly qualities. For instance, Gawain takes King Arthur’s place when the Green knight asks to play a game. Sir Gawain states: “I am the weakest, the most wanting in wisdom, I know, And my life, if lost, would be least missed, truly. Only through your being my uncle, am I to be valued.” (pg. 34). Sir Gawain proves that he is willing to lose his life to save the others. On the first day when Gawain is with the lady, Sir Gawain proves humility when he resists her temptation. Gawain only compliments the lady and remains courteous and chaste when he is with her. On the third day, Gawain makes a mistake and accepts her girdle. He regains himself and decides to tell the Green Knight when he encounters him. Instead of killing Gawain, the Green Knight just cuts him on the neck for not being honest in the first place. This experience causes Gawain to feel humiliated and is a good reason he is humble in the story. He learned a valuable lesson and decides to keep the girdle to remind him of his mistake. All in all, Sir Gawain has illustrated three chivalric ideals: bravery, religious, and humility. He proves each of the ideals throughout the story. It is proven that Sir Gawain is a chivalrous knight and remains humble to his
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