Integrity In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

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How would you define integrity? Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. Sir Gawain faced several situations that tested his virtues as a knight. Sir Gawain first tested on his ability to honor a pact with the lord, but he was unaware that he was being tested. The lord’s wife secretly gave Sir Gawain kisses; conversely, Sir Gawain returned the kisses to the lord. Sir Gawain then faced the task of returning the lord's sash, but this proved to be easier said than done. The major theme of “Integrity” in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is vividly displayed even though Sir Gawain faced several convenient tests such as honor, lust, and treachery. For instance, Sir Gawain is then offered a pact when he arrived …show more content…

This served to be the second test of Sir Gawain’s virtues as a knight. In literature, there have been honorable men who have failed to overcome lustful situations. In the movie version of Beowulf, both Beowulf and Hrothgar failed to repudiate Grendel’s mother lustful actions. This served to show even honorable men fail to uphold their integrity in certain circumstances. Moreover, Sir Gawain was able to withstand his second test.
In spite of passing the previous tests, Sir Gawain then faced with the test of returning the lord's sash, but this proved to be easier said than done. The previous tests were of petty matters, but the sash had more worth. The lord's wife first offered Sir Gawain a gold ring, but he refused to accept the gift. She then went on to offer a sash that granted the man wearing it protection from earthly beings. Even the strongest of the strong would love the opportunity to be granted such immortality, so Sir Gawain accepts the sash without telling the lord. Consequently, such treachery lead to Sir Gawain breaking his integrity as a knight. Sir Gawain failed to uphold his morals as a knight by accepting the lord's sash and failing to return

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