The Knights of the Round Table and this Standard of Excellence - Essay Example

I chose the Green Knight as being the best and truest knight. In the epic poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the uses the character, Sir Gawain, to illustrate the heroic ideals of chivalry, loyalty, courteousness and honesty in fourteenth century England. In the poem, Gawain is the epitome of virtue and all that is good. All the way through the poem, however, his personality is constantly tested along with his truthfulness is compromised. During the conclusion, Gawain established that, even if he is imperfect, he is a sincere and chivalrous man of heroic standing.

Courteous as he said:The fifth of the five fives followed by this knightwere beneficence boundless and brotherly loveand pure mine and manners, that none might impeach, and compassion most precious--these peerless fivewere forged and made fast in him, foremost of men. Norton, 215-216Loyalty and courtesy as told by Bercilak's wifeMade so plain her meaning, the man must needseither take her tendered love or distastefully refuse. His courtesy concerned him, lest crass he appear, but more his soul's mischief, should he commit sinand belie his loyal oath to the lord of that house.

Norton, 238My analysis of choosing Sir Gawain against Beowulf is that, Beowulf only happens to be strong on the outside. But Sir Gawain, along with his muscular build, contains a strong and stable heart. Beowulf goes to the land of the Danes and becomes a hero by his physical actions, with what he has done with his own hands. On the other hand, Sir Gawain has to make responsible choices to save his life and he makes the right choices not knowing that the King was indeed the Green Knight.On the other hand, I still chose Sir Gawain rather that Sir Lancelot because Lancelot's reputation seems doomed from the start of the tale.

Lancelot's behavior is far like a knight and not chivalrous compared to Gawain who, in this story is the perfect courteous and courageous knight. When Gawain brings Lady Ragnell to Carlisle he ignores the horrified reactions of the crowd and presented her to the king and queen as if she had been the fairest lady in the entire world.In conclusion, through the Green Knight's tests, we see that Gawain is not the perfect knight he strives to be. Not even we, nor the Green Knight, nor his colleagues in the Knights of the Round Table informed him towards this standard of excellence.

We read on the subject of the chaos Gawain encounters thinking about his imminent death at the hands of the Green Knight, and we recognize why he recognizes the girdle. We know he remains true until his fear of death overcomes him. All this proves he is only human. Yet Gawain only sees that he has been inconsistent in upholding the chivalric code, and this means failure to him. This is an indication of the standard Gawain has set for himself, and we see why he has the reputation he has. Despite all that has happened, Gawain is still a loyal, noble, honest and courteous knight.

Sir Gawain is not the perfect knight even though he strive his very best to be. The courtier's qualifications are not as far-fetched as the prince's. Human as anyone else and shouldn't be put on such a high pedestal of heroics. The prince uses his trickery to stay in control, but the courtier uses his born talent and hard work from his exercises to stay in control.Reference:Abrams, M. H. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 1993.