Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Analysis

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Moral Adherence Rather than adherence to moral standards, Sir Gawain’s heart moved him to action. From the motivation of his heart to the formulation of his worldview, Sir Gawain established his customized standards of morality which adheres to the dictations of his heart and worldview. His law of morality came to light when the Green Knight challenged him to a test—to cut off the Green Knight’s head only to have his head doomed to severing. Once embarking on this challenge, Sir Gawain begins his journey to seek out this Green Knight to have his head sliced off. Wearied from his journey, Sir Gawain stumbles upon a castle which he resides until his dreaded day approaches. Once again Sir Gawain sets out only to find the residence of the Green…show more content…
At the beginning of his journey, Sir Gawain’s words reflect a heart which adheres to the law of morality, but as the journey advances, his words acknowledge and mirror his sin-scarred heart. Before Sir Gawain accepts the Green Knight’s challenge, his words, “I am weakest of your warriors and feeblest of wit” (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight I.354) reflect a heart of humility. In taking the challenge instead of the king, Sir Gawain unselfishly insists that the challenge, “should fall to me” (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight I.359). As his beheading day approaches, he moved by determination declares, “I must set out tomorrow to receive that stroke” (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight II. 548). Yet, this determination found a haven of rest at the castle which Sir Gawain found. At the castle, he relaxed his adherence to his moral standards as he rested before his doom. Once Sir Gawain arrives at the Green Palace to receive his blow, he realizes and pays for his unfaithfulness to adhere to the law of morality. Overwhelmed with guilt, Sir Gawain confesses, “I am found to be flawed and false, / through treachery and untruth I have totally failed” (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight II. 2382-2383). Through trial and testing, Sir Gawain failed to show forth strict adherence to his moral standards as seen through his spoken…show more content…
In the moment when Sir Gawain severed the head of the Green Knight, he, through his actions, showed respect and honor for the king by taking his place. Additionally, Sir Gawain showed great bravery by taking up this challenge and binding his life to this challenge. Sir Gawain showed great faithfulness by trekking through the woods in search of the Green Palace. As he journeys, he finds comfort and peace as he cries for God to, “be near me in my need” (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight II. 762). Yet, when he faces the Green Knight who raises his ax aimed at Sir Gawain’s neck, he, though afraid, “feigned a fearless state” (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight IV. 2258). This veneer of fearlessness, though, fails to control his actions but vanishes as Sir Gawain dodges the blow in utter fear. Determination, in the end, keeps his body erect as another blow swoops down toward his neck leaving a cut. Sir Gawain’s actions reveal whether or not he will heed the law of morality or reject it. As noted, Sir Gawain’s heart of fear moved him to shrink back from obeying the law
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