The Knight’s Chivalric Code In Sir Gawain And The

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When one thinks of the Middle Ages, the first images to form in the mind are usually of castles, kings, queens, and of course, the faithful knights that serve them. Most people, both young and old, are familiar with King Arthur’s Round Table, which has been presented in literature for centuries and later brought into the world of film and television. “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”, an alliterative poem written by an unknown author of the 14th century, both reinforces and challenges the Knight’s code of chivalry. “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” opens with the story of how various cities were built by heroes after the fall of Troy. After the brief history, the author introduces the setting at Camelot. The tale begins with King Arthur’s court in the midst of feasting during Christmastide. On New Year’s Day, just as the evening feast is being served, King Arthur introduces a new game to his court in which he refuses to eat until he is told a story of marvel. It is then that the Green Knight—with whom no one in the court is familiar—is introduced. Assuming he wants a fight, King Arthur promises him one, but the Green Knight did not come to fight, but rather to play a game of his own. He says to the court, “I shall stand him a stroke, steady on this floor, / So you grant me the guerdon to give him another, / sans blame. / In a twelvemonth and a day / He shall have of me the same; / Now be it seen straightway / Who dares take up the game.” (168. 294-300) The Green Knight invites a member of King Arthur’s noble court to take a swing at him with an ax, so long as they agree to allow him a stroke in return the following year. When no member of the court steps forward to accept the game, the Green Knight laughs and asks “Where is now your arrogance and your awesome deeds, / Your valor and your victories and your vaunting words?” (169. 311-312) The knight’s

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