Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: Part IV

The last part of the tale contains two aspects in which Gawain’s chivalry is under scrutiny. The first is during the scene in which the knight’s guide gives him the opportunity to flee, claiming that he would not utter a word if Gawain should take the chance. A lot of said of Gawain’s bravery when he refuses this opening, choosing instead to face the feared Green Knight (and, ultimately, his death), rather than ever be thought of as cowardly:

And conceal this day’s deed I doubt not you would,
But though you never told the tale, if I turned back now,
Forsook this place for fear, and fled, as you say,
I were a caitiff coward; I could not be excused. (205)

The other indication of Gawain upholding the code is when his dishonesty is finally brought to light. Gawain becomes angry at this mentioning, coming perhaps more from guilt than anything else, yet instead of hiding this, he makes another choice. In its place, he decides to keep the girdle and wear it –and the fresh cut on his neck – as a testament to his shame and weakness, the actions of a true knight of the chivalric code.

But your girdle, God love you! I gladly shall take
And be pleased to possess, not for the pure gold,
Nor the bright belt itself, nor the beauteous pendants,
Nor for wealth, nor worldly state, nor workmanship fine,
But a sign of excess it shall seem oftentimes
When I ride in renown, and remember with shame
The faults and the frailty of the flesh perverse,
How its tenderness entices the foul taint of sin (211)