5 points of chivalry code sir gawain and the green knight

In spite of the court’s initial reaction to the Green Knight’s challenge, Arthur still insists, “No guest here is aghast of your great words” (Part 1, line 325). Overwhelmed with a word of one man’s speech,įor all cower and quake, and no cut felt!

Now are the revel and the renown of the Round Table Your valor and your victories and your vaunting words? Where now is your arrogance and your awesome deeds, The Green Knight observes this hesitance, and mockingly replies: This insinuates that humanity may be unable to live up to the idealistic standards it has set for itself. Despite their reputation, the knights are reluctant to take up the Green Knight’s challenge. “Though high-born Arthur at heart had wonder, / He let no sign be seen, but said aloud” (Part 1, lines 467-468). This is particularly evident in regards to the afore-mentioned “most courteous of all”, Arthur: the very embodiment of chivalry. The superficiality of the chivalric code is further disclosed by the poet’s numerous references to separations between the unspoken truth, and what is actually said and done. His proposition reduces “the most noble knights known under Christ” (Part 1, line 51) to cowering, quaking men (Part 1, line 315). The superficiality of the code is revealed in the reactions of the people of the court to the Green Knight’s challenge. The challenges that nature presents to the chivalric code are epitomized by the Green Knight. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the chivalric code – or rather, the human ability to abide by it – is challenged by nature in a number of different ways.

Despite the weakness of his human nature, however, Sir Gawain is expected to maintain the chivalric code, and he must depend on his faith in God in order to do so. It has even been suggested that chivalry is at odds with the nature of man. Chivalry is not a trait naturally found in man, but rather a concept constructed by humanity in its pursuit for Christ-like perfection. It is also what prevents him from granting the improper request of his host’s wife.ĭespite its divine origins, the chivalric code is ultimately a human ideal. Sir Gawain’s behavior is governed by this code indeed, it is what prompts him to accept the Green Knight’s challenge in Arthur’s place, despite his initial hesitance. Indeed, the knightly chivalric code, derived from the Christian concept of morality, is an essential element of Sir Gawain’s belief system as a knight in Arthur’s court.

“King Arthur was counted most courteous of all.” Line 26 of Part 1, one of the opening lines of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, reveals a society in which people are ranked in accordance with their adherence to a certain code of behavior: the chivalric code.

5 points of chivalry code sir gawain and the green knight