The Green Knight and King Arthur

The Green Knight and King Arthur

Many British literature writers of the Middle Ages wrote about reality of the Middle Ages including the social, political, and economical styles of writing. During the Middle Ages, chivalry was a big aspect of every day life. Chivalry, a word not rarely used in modern times anymore in the same fashion it was before, is defined as, "the code of life that defined the qualities of knighthood, such as honor, courage, loyalty, and willingness to defined the weak and protect women." (English & Western Literature Text) The Middle Ages were known to be the times of knights, kings, and queens and fighting for their country for pride for the king. Loyalty was a major part of chivalry and thus was a part of many stories about the King Arthur era. One story in particular, "Le Morte d'Arthur" compiled by Sir Thomas Malory, shows many characters throughout who appear to be loyal to the king and queen of their country.

Loyalty is shown through many instances from the beginning of the story to the end. All three knights, namely, Sir Torre, Sir Pellinore, and Sir Gawain, all reveal their loyalty through different actions and emotions. But in the introduction, before Arthur becomes King, King Uther was sick. In this instance, Merlin, the advisor, summons the Kings noblemen to take care of him. They did as they were told and did not back out because they loved their king and felt loyal to him unto his dying day. Unfortunately, King Uther dies and his son, Arthur comes into the picture. When the news of the great stone in the rock came to everyone the noblemen wanted to win the prize and to become king of the land. One of them was Sir Kay, the brother of Arthur, the song of Sir Ector, whom asked Ar...

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...my noble knights destroyed! I would prefer that I myself had fallen." This states that King Arthur, is loyal to his country and wished that he could die instead of all of his noblemen.

Conclusively, at the very end of the story, after King Arthur is buried, one of his true loyal followers, stayed by him even in death. His follower, Sir Bedivere, walked up to a tomb and found out that it was the King Arthurs tomb and immediately "sat down and never left that place." For he was being very loyal to his king who had died. Sir Bedivere lived next to the king for years after until his death. The end of his life was full blown loyalty to the king ever, especially since the King had died. Lastly, he states his true loyalty to the Archbishop of Canterbury who had been there since he had been banned by Sir Modred. "Father, I wish only to be near to my true liege."