In the book Ivanhoe, by Sir Walter Scott, a knight named Ivanhoe illustrates this by devoting his attention to keeping the rules of the Code of Chivalry, which consisted of love of adventure, integrity, and loyalty to the king, to name a few. These character traits of Ivanhoe coupled with strong characters and a realistic setting allow the reader to understand the importance of a strong set of moral guidelines to all individuals of all time periods in spite of Scott’s excessive detail and confusing subplot. Respect and loyalty are two of the character traits that Ivanhoe not only possesses but also helps the reader to see their importance for a successful life. For example, in the beginning of the book Ivanhoe is known as the Disinherited Knight because his father, Cedric of Saxon, disinherits him; however, even though he is abandoned, he still respects his father and is loyal to him. His respect is shown in the book when the castle burns and someone asks his father whether defeat is visible.
Sir Gawain represents an ideal knight of the fourteenth century. Sir Gawain's inner values and character are tested to the fullest and are clearly defined in the text of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The unknown author describes Gawain and the other knights as "Many good knights" (Norton 159), and he is referred to as one of the "most noble knights" (Norton 159) in King Arthur's land. This claim by the author is solidified by a challenge presented by the evil Green Knight, who enters the court of King Arthur and asks him to partake in a Christmas game. Sir Gawain, after hearing this challenge, asks the king if he may take his place.
When we look beyond combat we see that knights were governed by a working set of ideals and ideas. These chivalric ideals are shown being tested in the poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. In this poem, the main character Sir Gawain, who is a knight for King Arthur, is one of the most elite knights in the kingdom. He is looked up to because of his amount of courage and honor, and his dedication for the code of chivalry. However, these traits are tested when the Green Knight arrived at King Arthur’s feast and offers the King to a challenge.
King Arthur ultimately accepts the request, but his nephew Sir Gawain, a great and chivalrous knight who is known to hold these qualities, willingly takes his uncle 's place. Sir Gawain stated “I have a request for you, my lord, let this adventure be mine” (4). This quote shows Sir Gawain maintaining those high expectations of being the perfect knight, risking his life in place of his lord. Once Sir Gawain delivers the blow decapitating the Green Knight 's head, the Green Knight 's body picks up his head and speaks to Sir Gawain telling him where to go to receive the returning blow a year and a day later. This also indicates that the Green Knight is supernatural able to still be alive after receiving such a brutal blow.
The Epic Sir Gawain and the Green Knight He discovers even the greatest of knights must overcome enormous temptation and pressure to live up to the chivalric and Christian ideals of knighthood. We see his shame when he returns to Arthur 's court and confesses his faults, " 'See! My lord, ' said the knight, touching the girdle, �this is the blazon of this guilty scar I bear in my neck, this is the badge of injury and the harm which I have received because of the cowardice and covetousness to which I there fell prey" (Abrams 1979, 289). Sir Gawain does exhibit bravery and loyalty, two aspects of the chivalric code. He exhibits many others as well, but his weakness with respect to fear of the Green Knight and his affections for the lady of
Showing others respect, letting them know you are listening and considering what they say and not taking them for granted. Honor is acknowledgment of something someone did or just deserved, based on ones actions. On the other hand, honor is the men and women serving their country fighting for the rights of others. The military men and women, police officers, FBI agents, CIA, DEA, ATF, and fire fighters and the many other people who serve their country... ... middle of paper ... ...ower and righteousness to some. In conclusion, honor represents a large portion of our society our standard of morals and our ethical decision making.
He displays his humility saying he is the “weakest of [the] warriors and feeblest of wit” and if he dies, he would not be mourned over as much as any other knights (354-5). His codes of virtue are depicted in the poet’s description of the infamous pentangle worn on his shield. The five-pointed star is a flawless integration of everything Gawain strives to represent and carry out. The poet explains that it “is a symbol that Solomon once set in place” and it represents a set of ideals (625-6). Gawain is a noble knight who the poet deems worthy and appr... ... middle of paper ... ...s fellow knights.
Though Gawain sits at the high table during the New Year’s celebration at Arthur’s court, he defines himself as the least of King Arthur’s knights in terms of both physical ability and mental aptitude. Gawain continually seeks to better improve his inner self throughout the story. His only known flaw proves to be his love to preserve his own life, so much that he will sacrifice his honor in order to save himself. When the Green Knight arrives at Camelot, he challenges Arthur’s court, mocking the knights for being afraid of mere words, and suggesting that words and appearances hold too much power with them. Although the Green Knight basically tricks Gawain, by not telling him about his supernatural capabilities before asking him to agree to his terms, Gawain refuses to withdraw of their agreement.
He displays his devotion in nobility and is defended many others by his acts of humility. Sir Gawain successfully accomplished in his responsibility in being an ideal knight by showing his true courage. It is hard to say anyone has ever been a completely "ideal" knight or even any person rather, no one is perfect, but he definitely encompasses many of the attributes ... ... middle of paper ... ...nd game playing. Sir Gawain and the temptress results in him losing his moral innocence, consequently he then expresses that he failed himself personally and in his knighthood. He stops viewing himself as a great chivalric knight.
The main elements of the European chivalry was that a knight should defend the Christian church, offer loyalty to his lord, be courageous in battle, and also be generous to the feeble. Knights also often championed a lady by protecting her and defending her honor. There are