Examples Of Chivalry In Sir Gawain

Sir Gawain follows each of the societally required aspects of chivalry and honor expected of knights during the Medieval Period. These aspects include: humility regarding one’s own value, honoring one’s promises, and the value of chivalry and honor over personal wellbeing. Although he dutifully follows all of the conventions, he only follows them to a point, with the exception of valuing chivalry and honor over one’s wellbeing. King Arthur himself intends to take up the challenge that has been put forth by the Green Knight because he feels personally insulted, until Sir Gawain intercedes. The knight stands and requests to take his place because he is “the weakest of [the knights], I know, and the dullest-minded, / So my death would be the least loss, if truth should be told” (354-355). This is the most significant example of Sir Gawain’s extreme humility. It is either humility, or the lowest self-esteem of any

There are many examples and descriptions of others’ high opinions of Gawain. When Sir Gawain prepares to leave to fulfill his end of the agreement with the Green Knight, “Much deep sorrowing was heard in the hall / That one as noble as Gawain should go on the quest” (558-229). A significant aspect of poetry during the Medieval Period, and long before, is a lengthy description of the protagonist putting on their battle gear before the climax of the poem. A significant amount of the material in that section of the poem is dedicated to Solomon’s symbol. This symbol represents all of the good a man can be and Sir Gawain is seen as worthy to bear the design that Solomon made, an “emblem of fidelity” (626). According to the narrator, Sir Gawain “[valued] generosity and love of fellow-man above all; / His purity and courtesy were never lacking, / And surpassing all others in compassion: these noble five / Were more deeply implanted in in that man than any other”