Gawain, a knight of the famed King Arthur, is depicted as the most noble of knights in the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Nonetheless, he is not without fault or punishment, and is certainly susceptible to conflict. Gawain, bound to chivalry, is torn between his knightly edicts, his courtly obligations, and his mortal thoughts of self-preservation. This conflict is most evident in his failure of the tests presented to him. With devious tests of temptation and courage, Morgan le Fay is able to create a mockery of Gawains courtly and knightly ideals.
Through the knight Gawain, the poem is able to reveal that even knights are human too with less than romantic traits. In order to satirize Gawain’s courtly ways, the poet must first establish the presence of perfect chivalric code in Gawain, only to later mock that sense of perfection with failure. This establishment of chivalric code is created in part through the expression used to describe Gawain throughout the poem. He is described as “noble” and “goodly” on more than one occasion, giving the reader a positive understanding of the poem’s hero (405, 685).
This courtly view of Gawain is further expresses by his noble acceptance of the Green Knight’s beheading game, in order to “release the king outright” from his responsibility (365). Gawain was the first to accept the Green Knight’s terms. His acceptance of the beheading game before any other person brings the assumption that Gawain represents the most noble of Arthur’s court. Lastly, even the Green Knight compares him to other knights as “pearls to white peas” (2364), a sign of his higher status among men.
By portraying Gawain as noble and honorable, the poet is able to shock the reader with actions that are uncharacteristic of a chivalrous knight. The first of these conflicting actions is obvious in the temptation of Gawain by his host’s lady. This lady, the huntress, seeks to pursue Gawain in order to fool him into actions that contrast the knightly ideal. She will do anything to accomplish these actions in him, even through sexual temptations. With another man’s wife pursuing him, Gawain must be courtly to the lady, but at the same time must deny her advances.
This unavoidable conflict creates a fear within Gawain. Upon discovering that the lovely lady was approaching him in bed, Gawain lays a sleep, in order to “try her intent” (1199). This action reveals Gawain’s fear that his host’s lady is pursuing him. This unavoidable fear causes his failure of courtliness, for Gawain would have claimed a kiss from the lady, but did not. The lady ridicules him for this, even though, the situation was unavoidable. Gawain must abide by his morals and abstain from immoral thoughts, while at the same time being a courteous guest.
Moreover, Gawain is forced to make a choice between courtesy and adultery, either of which would result in the dishonor of the lady ,his host, or Gawain himself. By choosing to return each of the following kisses received, Gawain is able to pass the first of the tests. Even the passing of this test generates a conflict of morals within Gawain, revealing that his knightly order and supposed courtliness are of no use in a situation of hardship. The second action uncharacteristic of an ideal knight is Gawain’s dishonesty, brought out in the second test.
Realizing that his death at the hands of the Green Knight was inevitable, Gawain’s thoughts of self-preservation dominated his actions rather than thoughts of honor. His acceptance of the girdle of security from his host’s lady exposes Gawain’s fear for his life. A truly ideal and perfect knight would not keep the girdle in order to save his own life, because the host knight asked for an exchange of all things gained during the day. Yet at the same time, Gawain must obey the rules of courtliness, and accept the girdle from the host’s lady.
Therefore, Gawain falls into an unavoidable situation, in which taking or denying the girdle will result in insult to his courtliness, his honor, or his life. Gawain is human, and does fear for his life. Therefore, he keeps the girdle in order to “keep himself safe” (2040). Along with the choice of keeping the girdle comes consequences. By keeping the girdle rather than giving it to his host, Gawain fails to uphold his promise to the host Bercivak.
This is a dishonest action, and is not serious of an ideal knight. By not upholding his pact, Gawain disrespects the court that he represents. Lastly, Gawain’s most profound contrast to an ideal knight, is his weakness. Accepting the girdle is a choice of self-preservation over honor is cowardly, and mocks the court that herepresents. Another weakness is shown through Gawain at the Green Chapel, in which he is forced to receive a blow from the Green Knight.
Even though Gawain possessed the girdle of security, he still “flee for fear” and flinched when struck by the Green Knight’s axe (2272). This is cowardly because Gawain is in no danger at this point, yet still flinches at the sight of the Green Knight’s axe. His weakness mocks Arthur’s court and his so-called honor, and is in contrast with the plan to make a fool out of Arthur and his knights. Although Gawain’s actions are not chivalrous and makes the court appear foolish, he learns a lesson from his actions.
He realizes the disgrace in his actions, calling his own heart “cowardly and covetous” (2374). By taking responsibility for his actions, Gawain allows the reader to forgive him. This forgiveness is allowed because the conflicts within Gawain force him into situations that will result in unavoidable disaster. By showing the reader that even the best of knights is not perfect, the poet reveals that the balance between knightly morals, courtliness, and thoughts of selfishness are able to be overlooked.
