Sir Gawain and the Green Knight :: Essays Papers

Sir Gawain and the Green sawbuckCharacter Analysis Sir Gawain, the nephew of King Arthur, is described by the unknown author of Gawain and the Green Knight as the good knight and most courteous (Norton, 204 & 215). Although young, Gawain understands the true meaning of chivalry and honor, therefore bases his lifestyle on the knightly Code of chivalry. This is exemplified through heterogeneous rills that he faced, both with the Green Knight, and with the Knights wife. If all knights were like Gawain, then the Round Table would be a much better place. The first character test he is put to occurs when he faces the supernatural forces of the Green Knight during the New Years celebration at Camelot. As the Round Table is faced with an extraordinary challenge, to sweep up at the stranger with an ax, Gawain bravely steps in for King Arthur when no one else is willing. He is fearful that Arthur will endure some great endangerment by partaking in the strangers game, th erefore he would rather subject himself to the danger and protect Arthur. He is able to save his lord from any possibility of hazard and his fellow knights of humiliation by jumping up from the dinner table and screaming Would you grant me the grace,To be gone from this bench and stand by you there,If I without discourtesy might quit this board,...When such a boon is begged before all these knights, though you be tempted thereto, to take it on yourselfWhile so right-down men about upon benches sitI am the weakest, well I know, and of wit feeblestAnd the loss of my life would be least of anyThat I relieve oneself you for uncle is my only praiseMy body, but for your blood, is barren of worthAnd for that this folly befits not a king,And tis I that have asked it, it ought to be mine,And if my claim be not picturesque let all this court judge,in sight. (Norton, 209) This shows the respect that Gawain has for his king. He is a great knight, but he modestly says that the loss of my life would be least of any. He knows that he is a great knight and is extremely important to the unity of the Round Table, but he would rather stay humble and retain than to call himself superior.