Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - Essay Example

The code of chivalry included a vow of complete chastity and proper conduct in thought and action towards women, especially married women of the court. Christian knights were bound by this code to never make or accept sexual advances from any woman, but especially from a married woman. They were also bound to defend a woman’s honor and to protect women if placed in danger. If necessary, a Christian knight was to die defending a woman’s persona or honor. Another aspect of the code of chivalry was a sworn allegiance to the king or the lord that had given the knight his place in society.

This was a reciprocal arrangement that held both lord and knight in company, so long as each lived an ideal Christian life. If either party broke the covenant, then the other was free to be dismissed or excuse himself from service (Stigall, 2009). The expectation, under ideal circumstances, was that knights would serve for the duration of their lord’s reign, and perhaps even under his predecessor. Much as the vow to defend women and womanhood, the knight swore to defend the lord with his very life if necessary.

The final aspect of the code of chivalry that was important was the knight’s willingness to defend the Church and do battle for Christendom. Again, ideally, the objectives of the lord and the church would be one, so there would be no conflict between Church and nobility if everyone was living as a Christian. Sir Gawain excels at displaying many of the ideals of chivalrous conduct. His first act was to protect his lord, Arthur, from accepting the Green Knight’s challenge. The whole court was suspicious of the stranger that suddenly appeared in their presences.

Stranger still was his offer to willfully be behedded by Arthur. Seeing that there was surely something amiss, Gawain offered to take the Green Knight’s challenge so that no misfortune would befall the lord. Sir Gawain also displays admirable self-control as he rebuffs the advances of the Lady on three occasions. He walked a delicate line through this entire encounter. He could not be rude, for this would have broken the law of chivalry that required him to be courteous to women. Yet, at the same time, he needed to not give in to her advances in any way or he would have experienced a loss of virtue.

Gawain behaved well in a difficult situation and maintained his covenants towards his lord Arthur and the Lady. Through the course of the entire story, Gawain did well to act with chivalry, until the moment of his supposed execution at the hands of the Green Knight. The first attempted blow was a flinch inducing terror to Sir Gawain. The Green Knight’s mocking tone shows his contempt for the knight’s cowardice. "Thou art not Gawain," he said, "who is held so valiant, that never feared he man by hill or vale, but thou shrinkest for fear ere thou feelest hurt.

Such cowardice did I never hear of Gawain! Neither did I flinch from thy blow, or make strife in King Arthur's hall. My head fell to my feet, and yet I fled not; but thou didst wax faint of heart ere any harm befell. Wherefore must I be deemed the braver knight (Weston, 1973)." Gawain quickly admits his fault and fails to flinch at the second blow. He confesses again of receiving the girdle of the Lady as a ward against death. In some ways, the Green Knight takes on the role of Christ in order