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Sir Gawain And The Green Knight
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Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
The Test of Honor in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight During the course of the medieval poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Gawain is presented with a number of choices, and must, as a result of these options, make difficult decisions. In most instances, his choices trap his natural self-interest in preserving his own life against his sense of honor. Honor was a major factor in the Age of Chivalry - commanding a much higher priority than it does in our society today. Gawain made more than a few decisions in the poem and from the start he was facing not only the loss of his pride, his good name, and his spirit, but also death. When the Green Knight challenged all of Arthur's court, Gawain was the only knight that offered to take Arthur's place. He could have easily stood back and let Arthur have his go at the Green Knight. He showed to have more honor and courage than the rest of Arthur's Court by coming forward. "Would you grant me the grace,' said Gawain to the King, 'To be gone from this bench and stand by you there." (Gawain, lines 343-344) "I am the weakest, well I know, and of wit feeblest; And the loss of my life would be least of any;" (Gawain, 355-356). The poem is full of instances in which Gawain was forced to face difficult decisions. Gawain could have simply left Camelot never to return. He instead chose the option of keeping his word and searching for the Green Knight, even though he knew he had to take what ...
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