Massiel Rojas Blanco (B25798)
Dayana Barrantes Salas (B20866)
Steven Ramírez (B15354)
Christofer Rolando Arias Corrales (B20569)
IO5510 British Literature
Professor Tamatha Rabb Andrews, M.Ed.
22 May 2015
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight:
Chivalric Principles in the Christian Medieval society addressed in the alliterative romance poem, Sir
Gawain and the Green Knight
“Society expected each man to aspire constantly to Chivalric Behavior; in return, they gave him
an honorable place in the union of men” (Arno Borst, Medieval Worlds). So what were these expected
Chivalric comportments an honorable and respectable Christian knight must follow during the Medieval
period? To answer this question, one must first understand where and how Chivalry came to be. From
the time of the Norman Conquest of 1066 and the arrival of the romantic genre, principles of chivalry
have played a key role in society. During this time, knights followed a code of conduct –chivalric
principles or chevalerie, the French term for horse soldier --- in which the knight endeavors to keep his
honor by endeavoring to do as his liege lord commands. In many instances, the knight’s bravery and skill
as a warrior is tested over the course of a quest that may be imposed by a lady, king or one’s self. As
kings converted to Christianity, knightly virtues later incorporated religious virtues as knights honored
God as a faithful Christian. Over time, the chivalric code also included more virtuous ideals such as
honor, courtesy and courtly love— having perfect manners, showing wit through conversation and to
treat ladies with upmost respect. Within this genre, the romantic hero is characterized as having a sense
of religious duty and seeks to conquer what is deemed evil through a quest. The hero searches for
meaning throughout his adventure and is often ignorant of his enemy. Furthermore, his quest has a
supernatural element in which the knight must show his strength and worthiness or return to his
community in shame and loneliness. This form of quest based upon three codes: knightly conduct,
courtly love and Christian virtue test all qualities of an Arthurian Knight including honor, duty,
reputation, wit, and pride. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight tells the story of Sir Gawain, a knight whose
life was devoted and centered on adhering to the Chivalric codes of an acknowledged knight, and the
dedication he had to be blameless at any given moment. The codes of knighthood are perceived as the
lifestyle a knight needed to follow as a protector of the realm in which his choices were just and morally
right in order to obtain an inner peace. Sir Gawain is portrayed as a character who is distinguished from
others due to his moral principles and behavior as a Christian knight in Medieval society, but his
venerable character is tested when he takes up the Green Knight’s Christmas challenge at King Arthur’s
court in order to protect his liege lord and uncle. The quest he undertakes will test each aspect of his
Chivalric code to which he believes he is morally capable of completing. The alliterative romance poem,
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight addresses the notion of principles in a Christian Medieval society that is
best seen through the poem’s direct and indirect characterization of the protagonist, Sir Gawain--- most
notable in the following three codes: knightly conduct, courtly love, and Christian virtues.
Knightly conduct is one of the most important aspects developed throughout the poem of Sir
Gawain and the Green Knight, especially in the character of Sir Gawain, as he upholds the knight’s code
of bravery, respect, and honor. One of the key elements of the Knight’s Code stems from his unerring
bravery. Knights were distinguished figures whose bravery turned them into symbols of admiration.”
"Should I waste my time / With fear? Whether pleasant or wild, / fate must be put to test”” (563-565).
Sir Gawain was praised for showing his bravery not only as a convincing speech but also with his actions
that triggered recognition. He accepted the challenge of the Green Knight for his lord, Arthur, even
though if that meant risking his own life. As a brave knight, he accepted the challenges which took place
throughout his life. In the same way, he proved his bravery in his attempt to find the Green Chapel and
keeping his word at making no move in the first stroke of the Green Knight. Sir Gawain did not permit
feelings such as fear and cowardice because these did not adhere to the knightly conduct. Another
underlying aspect of the Knight’s Code which knights aspired to accomplish was respect. Sir Gawain was
perceived as someone important who had to be treated in an appropriate manner. Everyone in the
court of Arthur recognized Sir Gawain as someone of a higher rank who merited being served and
obeyed. The Green Knight acknowledges that Sir Gawain deserves respect:" "Sir Gawain, no man could
do what you´ll do, / What you’ll do, and delight me / More- no man alive”” (387-389).
His outstanding actions attributed him social acknowledgment which made him respectable.
Additionally, he was seen as a role model where other people yearned for imitating his feats.
Furthermore, honor is portrayed as a crucial Knight’s Code that any knight had to maintain in order to
excel. An honorable knight was characterized by his good reputation and high moral standards. Sir
Gawain did his best effort to be flawless in the society and was willing to keep his honor no matter the
consequences, even if he had to risk his life. People were very proud and fortunate of being in the
presence of such honorable knight as Sir Gawain: “And the Knights in that castle shouted with pleasure,
/ Proud to stand in his presence- Gawain, / eternally praised, bearer of excellence, / Most able, most
knightly, best on earth, / Most famous, most honored of men” (910-914).
Sir Gawain defends his honor in every aspect of his life, this can be mostly appreciated when he accepts
the challenge of the Green Knight, keeps his oath to confront him in one year, and tries not to owe
favors. As a conclusion, bravery, respect, and honor are key elements that a knight had to adhere to in
order to be acknowledged in the Medieval society.
Courtly love is one of the most important aspects developed throughout the poem of Sir Gawain
and the Green Knight, especially in the character of Sir Gawain, as he upholds the knight’s code of
having perfect manners, showing wit through conversation, and treating ladies with respect. Knights
were distinguished men who were characterized by the behavior they had to follow towards their lords
and ladies. According to the code of courtly love, a knight is expected to show respect and love for his
lord’s lady (en.wikipedia.org). In other words, Sir Gawain must pay both Lady Bertilak and Lady
Guinevere the same love and respect, since his lords are his uncle King Arthur and Lord Bertilak. One of
the key elements of courtly love stems from his unerring perfect manners. In the following quote, Sir
Gawain pays respect to Lady Guinevere when he stands before his king to accept the challenge of the
Green Knight. “Gawain was seated near / The queen; he leaned forward: “Hear me, / My lord. Let this
challenge be mine.”/ Then Gawain bowed to the king. “Release me, / My liege, from this bench, and let
me come to you, / Permit me to rise without discourtesy, / And without displeasing you queen. Let me
come / To counsel you here in your noble court”(339-347). On this part of the poem, Sir Gawain pays
respect and love to not only his king but also his queen when accepting the Green Knight’s challenge by
showing the good manners that a knight must have towards his lord’s lady. Another of the key elements
of courtly love stems from showing wit through conversation. During his time in the Lord Bertilak’s
castle, he experienced three encounters with Lady Bertilak. According to the chivalric code, Sir Gawain
must be devoted to Lord and Lady Bertilak in every aspect. Throughout this encounters, the principles of
courtly love of Sir Gawain are tested. This element is clearly depicted through the conversations
between Sir Gawain and Lady Bertilak; especially in their second encounter. The following quote shows
how Sir Gawain make use of his wit to praise the lord’s lady and evade temptation. During this meeting,
Lady Bertilak is testing the knight by asking for love. ““Christ reward you!” said Gawain. “I can’t / Tell
you lady, how delighted I am / That one so noble and /Knowing that you know everything I could say /
And more, are wiser in love than a hundred, / This would make me a hundredfold fool! / As best I can; I
want to obey you; / This is my duty, now and forever, / To serve you, lady so help me God!” /And so she
tested him, pushed and probed, / Trying to tempt him, pretending love, /And Gawain was so gracefully
evasive that he seemed /Always polite, and nothing happened” (1535-1553). The knight make use of his
speech to show wit and praise Lady Bertilak without disrespecting the lord he is devoted to. Sir Gawain’s
speech is an evasive tool to prove his attitude as a knight who shows courtly love and avoids temptation
by replying in courteous manner. Another key element of courtly love stems from his unerring respect
to ladies. This can be seen in many parts of the story. The following quote depicts how Sir Gawain shows
absolute respect to Lord Bertilak’s castle ladies when meeting them. “And watching that lady watch him,
Gawain / Went to meet them, with her lord’s consent: / Bowing low, he saluted the old one, / But the
pleasanter woman he wrapped in his arms / For a courteous kiss and chivalric words. / And the ladies
asked to know him, and he quickly / Pledged himself their servant” (970-976). Throughout the poem, Sir
Gawain pays respect to several ladies by pledging himself as their servants. According to the courtly
love, a knight has to pay respect and love not only to their lords but also to their ladies. Courtly love, as
an important element of chivalry states that a knight has to be devoted to the service of ladies by
making himself their servant. In this quote, it is seen how the character of Sir Gawain pledges himself to
the castle ladies’ service by praising and respecting them. As a conclusion, having perfect manners,
showing wit through conversation, and treating ladies with respect are key elements that a knight had
to adhere to in order to show courtly love in the Medieval society
Christian virtues are one of the most important aspects developed throughout the poem of Sir
Gawain and the Green Knight, especially in the character of Sir Gawain, as he upholds the Christian
virtues of faith, hope and charity. Faith is a pillar in which Christians support their believes. "And
whenever he stood in battle his mind / was fixed, above all things, on five/ joys which Mary had of
Jesus,/ from which all his courage came…" (644-646).In Christian tradition is of a paramount importance
to keep faith no matter adversities or joys because it is mandatory to think of God every time in order to
know him best and have a proximity with him by the guidance of love and a spiritual fear. In the case of
Sir Gawain he stood firm in his faith during adversities because he believed in Jesus and Mary’s
protection and he kept safe and felt confident to face obstacles.Hope is a virtue given by God which
leads to a desire of transcendence."Then he went swiftly to the chapel, walked/ inside and sought a
priest in private,/ asked to have his confession heard,/ his soul instructed in the pathways to heaven"
(1876-1879). Sir Gawain looks for purity in order to keep away from sin and hell and feel calm until he is
able to enter Heaven and share glory in God's kingdom which is a hope that every Christian desires and
that is many of them refuse earthy joys in order to be prepared for their call which happens in the day of
death and during the final judgment which is a mysterious event with an uncertain date but many
people believe that they will commiserate of sins and receive a price for just actions. That is, hopeful
and benevolent people are ready until this day comes and they have confession keep their mind calm.
Charity is the most important virtue in the Christian tradition since those who accept God’s will
understand real love. “’God is good, / Said the knight. “I’ll not weep / Or complain: I keep / My trust in
Him, I’ll do as He would”’ (2156-2159). A person with charity is considered a real spiritual being since
this virtue is disinterested unlike faith that pursuits protection and hope that expects reward. Charity
helps a knight such as Gawain to detach his will in order to please God's dispositions. This virtue is
related to Jesus who accepted God’s will without complaining because he had a strong love for human
kind and hence God. Christian values were for Sir Gawain the deepest source of his religious convictions
and the reason of his devotion in order to obtain providential favor and intervention as a way also to get
away from sin and keep his grace flawless.