Why Is Sir Gawain Important

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When one individual honors someone, typically they look up to, and idol them. One that honors someone will view that person as a person of influence, following and mimicking their actions, striving to be that specific character one-day. Throughout english history there have been several different illustrations, plays, movies, and much more, that's focus is on one very influential person. For example, in a Gawain’s poet, poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, there are many different honorable qualities about the main character, Gawain. He is framed to be the most noble, and brave knight to have ever served the king. There was also a poem constructed by an unknown author called, Beowulf. In this poem, a common Geat warrior named Beowulf comes…show more content…
When the Green Knight puts forth his challenge to King Arthur and his soldiers, everyone was hesitant to respond. After a long stressful pause, King Arthur went to fulfill the challenge of beheading the Green Knight when he was interrupted by his nephew, Gawain. Gawain says, “I beseech you, Sire, / Let this game be mine” (Gawain Poet 123-24). It was very brave of the young Geat knight to step up and put\ his own life on the line for the king and his peers, especially knowing that if the king were to go through with the bet, he would have a chance of eventually being murdered. Gawain came to the conclusion that it would be better if he was be murdered a year and day later, instead of the king. It was a very noble thing that the Gawain sacrifices for his people and king and also something that he would be remembered, and honored for for many years after. Regarding the second half of the deal that the Green Knight proposed, Gawain portrayed a strong characteristic of honor by following through with the rest of the deal and going out of his way to find the Green Knight so he could return the blow of the ax to Gawain. Gawain proves to his king and other knights through his actions that he possesses the quality…show more content…
During one of the many battles Wallace participated in, he knocked a soldier off of his horse and they began to fight in hand on hand combat. Wallace eventually gets the other soldier pinned to the ground, only to realize it was Robert the Bruce. Immediately Wallace walked away from what could have been an easy victory for him (Braveheart). By Wallace backing down from the and not killing a previous alliance it proves that he has a sense of his morals and this is a vital characteristic of being honorable. The most honorable thing William Wallace does throughout the film would be at the very end, when he dies. William was given the option to beg for mercy and receive a faster, less painful death. Instead of begging for mercy benefitting him, he yells out “freedom” on behalf of his people and country, and receives a painstaking, long death (Braveheart). Because of this noble action presented by Wallace he is forever remembered as of the most noble and honored warriors to ever represent
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