Throughout Arthurian legends, Sir Gawain is portrayed as one of the most gentle, gallant and honorable knights of the Round Ta

In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and “The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnell, Sir Gawain is portrayed as being one of the most gentle, courteous and honorable Knights of King Arthur’s Round Table. Although Sir Gawain is the nephew of King Arthur and considered to be one of his favorite knights, Gawain displays a most humble attitude. Gawain continuously proves his loyalty to his lord, never taking advantage of his royal kinship status. He displays true knightly courage by remaining loyal to the king even in the face of death. With few exceptions, Gawain displays honesty and courtesy to all people, and remains true to his word. Sir Gawain’s characteristics epitomize all the values expected of a true knight.

In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, we meet the very young and inexperienced knight, Sir Gawain. His age and experience, however, do not diminish his sense of loyalty to King Arthur. Gawain’s test of character begins when a strange and intimidating knight appears at Camelot during a Christmas feast and challenges the court of King Arthur to a beheading game. While the other knights allow King Arthur to accept the challenge himself, Sir Gawain courageously steps forward to take the king’s place. He humbly accepts the challenge saying:

While so bold men about upon benches sit,

That no host under heaven is hardier of will,

Nor better brothers-in-arms where battle is joined;

I am the weakest, well I know, and of wit feeblest;

And the loss of my life would be least of any (Norton 351-354)

Even realizing that accepting the challenge would mean certain death, Gawain does not back down. Courage, humility and loyalty are exemplified in Gawain’s actions here.

While at the Castle of Lord Bercilak, otherwise known as the Green Knight, Gawain is nothing less than a gentleman to the lady of the house. Although Lady Bercilak is relentless in her attempts to seduce Gawain, he continues to treat her with respect, courtesy and kindness. When Lady Bercilak tries to tempt Gawain using flattery and saying to him, “No other on this earth [but you] should have me for wife”(Norton 1275), his reply is as humble, respectful and courteous as we would expect from him: “You are bound to a better man, ... / Yet I prize the praise you have preffered me here, / And soberly your servant, my soveriegn I hold you”(Norton 1276 – 1278). His demeanor never changes, as the author suggests:

Thus she tested his temper and tried many a time,

Whatever her true intent, to entice him to sin,

But so fair was his defense that no fault appeared,

Nor evil on either hand, but only bliss (Norton 1549-1552)

Sir Gawain’s honorable actions are what save his life in the story of the Green Knight. The fact that he regards honesty to be important is emphasized by his vow to wear Lady Bercilak’s garter as a shameful reminder of the test he felt he had failed: he did not hold true to his word by giving this gift back to Lord Bercilak, as agreed. “This is the sign of sore loss that I have suffered there / For the cowardice and coveting that I came to there; / This is the badge of false faith that I was found in there, / And I must bear it on my body till I breathe my last” (Norton 2507-2510), says Gawain.

Sir Gawain’s loyalty, honor and courtesy are also displayed throughout the story of Dame Ragnell. Once again, Gawain is faced with a tough decision: marry an old and hideously ugly hag, or let King Arthur die at the hands of Sir Gromer Somer. He unhesitatingly agrees to marry the hag, saying: “I shalle wed her and wed her again, / Thoughe she were a fend, / Thoughe she were as foulle as Belsabub” (Burlesque 343 – 345). Loyalty to his lord is placed above any of his own wants or needs.

His dealings with the old hag in the story never suggest even the slightest bit of rudeness. Even King Arthur’s behavior towards the hag cannot compare to Gawain’s conduct. For instance, when Arthur first meets the hag, he rudely says to her, “Whate mean you, lady, telle me tighte, / For of thy wordes I have great dispite” (Burlesque 270 – 272). We never see Gawain exhibit this type of behavior in the story. His courtesy doesn’t even falter on his wedding night when the old hag asks him, “Shewe me your courtesy in bed.” As revoltingly ugly as she is, Gawain does not deny Dame Ragnell her just due as his wife: “I wolle do more / Then for to kisse, and God before!”(Burlesque 638-639).

The code of chivalry requires that all knights exhibit courtesy, loyalty and honor. Gawain displays these virtues throughout the stories of the Knights of the Round Table. In fact, his virtues far surpass even those of the king himself, at times. It is no wonder that the author of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight refers to him as “the most noble knight.” Sir Gawain sets a good example for all humanity, knight or not.

Works cited:

“Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.” The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Seventh Edition. Volume1. Ed. M.H. Abrams. New York: W.W. Norton and Company, Inc., 2000.

“The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnell.” Burlesque and Grotesquerie.

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Background Image with Permission of Jim Heilchuck