Sir Gawain Archetype

In the story, it is evident that Gawain thinks he is the least of King Arthur’s knights although he his is nephew along with one of Camelot’s most famous knights. This character trait of Gawain being modest is most revealed when the Green Knight shows up for the first time wanting King Arthur to behead him, and Gawain states, “I am the weakest of your warriors and the feeblest of wit; loss of my life would be at least lamented” (354-355). When Gawain finishes this speech in these lines, all of the rest of the knights agree that Gawain should do it in case something goes awry.

o illustrate most periods in history, the era of knights evolved gradually. These guys have been knighted by the monarchy, but not as a part of an order of chivalry in particular the order of the chivalry the order of the British Empire. They can call himself “Sir”. In this case Gawain is the protagonist within the narrative poem “Sir Gawain and The Green Knight” a pinnacle of humility, piety, integrity, loyalty and honesty. He defends more than his own reputation, he was one of the bravest. In continuation we are going to see more of this amazing character that in my opinion shows to us the importance of family and overcoming one's fears.

In the world of Arthurian legend, the characters are governed by courtesy and courtly custom. The most principled of these characters is Sir Gawain. Gawain is the knight of the Pentangle and so holds himself to the highest standards of courtesy and chivalry. However, when Gawain goes on a journey to fulfill a bargain with the Green Knight, he finds himself in situations where he is forced to choose between his principles to uphold, violating his code of honor. This, the challenge to maintain all of the principles of the Pentangle, is Gawain’s most important challenge, it forces him to redefine who he is as a person.

Sir Gawain is portrayed and known as a man of courteousness. His reputation in this regard proceeds him and it is demonstrated throughout the poem. Through his dedication to courteous behavior, he draws on both the ethical codes of Christianity and his warrior brethren. However, these codes are not a mathematical function that is 1 to 1; there are times where the moral codes differ and Gawain is left to navigate morally ambiguous situations with his reputation as a knight in the eyes of his older, more experienced warrior brethren and even his very life at stake as he faces what seems to be an inevitable death by the supernatural. For example, Gawain shows humbleness in Camelot which contrasts to the boastful Green Knight during the Camelot

The seduction scene not only illustrates Gawain’s heroism through his manner and courtesy towards Bertilak’s wife, but also the humanity in his flaws that makes him a true hero. While Gawain is stalwart in his belief in loyalty to his king and chivalry toward women, he is also flawed in that he doesn’t tell the lord of the castle about his prize. In these scenes, Gawain shows a fracture in his otherwise infallible demeanor; a weakness that he is

Fraternity and generosity are certainly important to Gawain as well. According to French literary historian, Leon Gautier, one of the main tenets of chivalry is that "thou shalt be generous, and give largesse to everyone" (Gautier 57). Likewise, Gawain and Bertilac strike a friendly deal with each other. Bertilac gives Gawain asylum on the one caveat that they both exchange gifts each day of what they had acquired. Bertilac would exchange his winnings from his game hunts, and Gawain was to give in return what he acquired in the castle, which in this case were kisses from Bertilac 's main squeeze. Finally, there is Sir Gawain 's devout piety which is seen throughout the tale. Gautier states that "no one could become a knight without first becoming a Christian" (Gautier 26). Gawain constantly prays and gives thanks to God. He is sort of like the Ned Flanders of the Middle Ages. Devotion to God is perhaps the most important aspect of chivalry in Sir Gawain 's eyes. He is a hero in the sense that, while he is certainly brave and selfless, he is also extremely kind and courteous, which in the end is truly the best kind of hero. What an outstanding gentlemen he is.

(Weston 21). Accepting the temptations did not allow for Gawin to serves his community as a good knight, however, he remains respectful and loyal to Lady Bertilak throughout her lures. God as the supernatural aid among the archetypal characters in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight contributes to his growth as a character. In a sense, Sir Gawain looks to God when in need of guidance while on his lonesome journey. While he prays throughout the expedition, a specific prayer gives him the strength to keep faith until the end of his quest.

Gawain’s journey starts off as a way to prove his self-worth. He does this by keeping his promise to the Green

Gawain follows the code of chivalry which values loyalty, integrity, courtesy, chastity, and religion. He must be loyal to God, his king, and his wife. Gawain is very humble which is evident when he takes up the Green Knight’s challenge and proclaims, “I am the weakest [of your knight], I know, and the dullest-minded/So my death would be the least loss, if truth should be told/Only because you are my uncle am I to be praised/No virtue I know in myself but your blood"(12.354 - 357). He is very self-deprecating in this particular

In the beginning of the story, Gawain was an honorable and loyal knight. He takes the place of his King, Arthur in the battle against the Green Knight. Although he doesn’t have to, Gawain would rather risk his life which he claims is unneeded rather than risk of life of the king and also Camelot. He remains loyal and honorable by heading out to find the Green Knight. He proves that he will hold up his end of the deal even if it mean death. Even when he reaches the castle he remains honorable, loyal and even chivilarous until the third day. On the first two days Gawain is very poliet with Lady Bertilak. He puts himself down claiming he is not as heroic as she hears and is even catious about reciving her gift of the kisses. He also holds his

We see his moral development reach its peak during apotheosis, or when the heros world becomes a “world beyond world of universes, coming into being out of the timeless pool of the void, bursting into life, and like a bubble therewith vanishing: time and time again: lives by the multitude: all suffering” (Cambell 148) This is after the hero has accepted the call to adventure and gone through its trials. When Gawain reaches apotheosis his is in fact the apotheosis of his morality, understanding the reveal of the Green Knight to be a ploy by Arthur’s half sister, Morgain. When he fails the third trial of not giving the girdle to the host though on his honor, that was their deal this ends up being the true trial when he is only nicked by the Green Knight. He now then must carry this

In the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Sir Gawain must venture off to the Green Chapel to own up to his end of the deal that came with the Green Knight's challenge. Sir Gawain faces multiple challenges along the way which helps develop the theme of the story. Gawain’s apotheosis reflects the wisdom gained from some of life’s more brutal initiations.

Kind, loyal, modest, and most importantly chivalrous, Sir Gawain represents the ideal of a Christian knight of the fourteenth century. This Arthurian hero’s moral compass never leads him astray, except on one occasion. Gawain lies near the end of the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, an uncharacteristic act for typically honest and just Gawain. In fact it is strange that this paragon of knighthood, after all he goes through, lies right at the end of his journey. Resulting from the conflicting perceptions of perfection in Christianity and the Code of Chivalry. However, in truth it serves as this epics message, conveying the notion that no matter how perfect one may appear, everyone is flawed and in order to better yourself, you must learn from your flaws and mistakes.

I feel like I have analyzed the character of Sir Gawain every time the opportunity arrises in this class and you are probably getting a little tired on critiquing my analysis over the same character. Though, relating to Arthurian concepts, it must have been “fate” or “destiny" that the Gawain character would be an option for me to analyze on this final. This sort of “fortune” to have a character that I feel I can give a clear and in-depth analysis over, just might make this final examination on an Arthurian character close to “perfection”. On a more serious note my reasoning for choosing Sir Gawain was actually based on looking at the other concepts given as choices to analyze. I was conflicted on what information I could relate and elaborate on in a 1,000 word analysis. Then as I was starting to defining each concept, I found a tremendous connection to Sir Gawain to almost all of them. One might find this sort of association in comparing other knights in Arthurian literature, but do those knights really have that strong of a connection as Sir Gawain does? This is the question I started internally debating about and found that the answer is no. This realization and connection to multiple concepts found in Arthurian literature and Sir Gawain gave me a perfect argument. In looking at one character throughout Arthurian literature there is no better example of Arthurian themes and elements that seem to embody only one character through various stories and poems, that being Sir

The Green Knight plays a vital role in Sir Gawain’s development, serving as the story’s “herald” (Campbell 56), minion, and evil figure who ultimately ends up being good. The Green Knight initiates Gawain’s first conflict by challenging the knights of Camelot to cut off his head. Gawain accepts the challenge, but the Green Knight survives and inquires that Gawain come back in a year to get his own head chopped off. In this instance, the knight creates a conflict within Gawain, in his refusal of the challenge. Gawain feels the stress of having to follow the knightly code of honor. When Gawain finally travels to the Green Chapel the next year, he comes across a castle and meets the host. The host takes Gawain in as a guest and allows him to stay until Christmas. While Gawain is staying at his castle the host gives Gawain another task to fulfill: Gawain must trade whatever he has been given for whatever the host has hunted. This task creates an inner conflict within Gawain, for Gawain has been forced to give up whatever he has, even if the gift he has received may end up dishonoring him.