Sir Gawain and The Medieval Code of Chivalry

Arthurian legends are medieval romances that tell wondrous tales of fantasy and chivalry. The chivalric code of knights was highly revered as a way of life. This code of bravery honor and loyalty was followed by every knight and royal in the medieval ages. Sir Gawain and the Green knight is a medieval romance that shows Sir Gawain’s demonstrations and lacks thereof chivalry through his bravery, loyalty, and honor. However, he follows the code of chivalry more so than breaking it.

One of Gawain’s traits that made him a model of chivalry is his bravery in the face of danger. Gawain was ready to take the challenge of the green knight and save his king from it as soon as he could. “Command me to step down from the dais and take this game. ”(ML 123-124) King Arthur was the only knight to step up to the challenge, and seeing this wanting to protect him Sir Gawain decides to take the game from him.

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“’ only you as my uncle have me any honor. ” (ML138) In this situation, Gawain is also being loyal to his king and uncle by saving his life in taking the game. Gawain shows both modesty and hid courtesy towards his queen all just moments from the shows his bravery. “‘That I might without bad manners move down from my place (though I couldn’t if my liege lady disliked it)’ “(ML 128-129). Gawain is saying that he will listen to whatever his queen says to do, regardless of the situation he is in.

Before he takes the challenge of the knight Gawain states “’ My life would be the least missed if. ” (Ml 137) Gawain, while sounding somewhat critical of himself, is actually demonstrating his great sense of modesty during the story Honor is a trait that is not found very much in this day and age. In the end, the lord of the castle discovers that not even Gawain was honorable to him. “You have failed me in our exchange, so I’ve trapped you here, that sash you wear by your scabbard belongs to me’” (ML348-350). Another trait that is highly regarded in this day and age is faith. There is faith in religion, faith in yourself, or even faith in objects.

Gawain puts faith in a magical green sash that is enchanted and would save his life. (67) In conclusion, Gawain follows the code of chivalry and makes a worthy knight of the round table. Granted that some of the traits of chivalry are not his strong suit, Gawain still follows true to the almighty code that all of the knights follow. Any mistake that Sir Gawain made during this he was either forgiven for, or they went unnoticed, given that this is straying from the code, in the end, Gawain is still the most worthy knight of the round table.