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Write a 6 page essay on Chivalry in all of its Various Representations in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.Chivalry in all of its Various Representations in "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight"The code of

Write a 6 page essay on Chivalry in all of its Various Representations in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

Chivalry in all of its Various Representations in "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight"

The code of chivalric behavior that is evidenced in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is very much more a mental construct than something that is continually demonstrated through physical actions. Though this mental construct is clearly stated to guide, direct, and reflect physical actions, the participants in the story spend a great deal more time discussing the chivalric merits of key actions and situations than they do actually performing such actions. This is of course not to say that the characters of the story have a breakdown between beliefs and follow-through on those morals. rather, it merely goes to exhibit the all-encompassing nature that chivalry exhibits within the story and the society that is being exhibited.

The first such representation of chivalry which is discussed within the story revolves around the symbolism that is represented on Gawain’s own shield. Breaking this down further, the symbolism that is represented and subsequently discussed relates to the fact that Gawain’s pentangle represents the five virtues of knighthood: piety, courtesy, friendship, chastity, and generosity.What is particularly interesting to note is that although these themes are developed throughout the course of the story, Gawain himself is ultimately unsure of the nature of the virtues he espouses. In this way, he is on a quest, not only as described in the story, but on a personal quest to know, understand, and appreciate whether Godly virtue can survive in a fallen world. In such a way, the ideals of knighthood and chivalry are juxtaposed against the backdrop of self-doubt that any of these is sufficient or worthy of continued adherence (Martin 315). In this way, the author seeks to use chivalry (as a function of the code symbolized by Camelot) to engage the reader and provoke key discussion with regards to whether or not chivalry in and of itself is sufficient to attain a degree of salvation and/or purpose. Bringing the topic of chivalry closer to the topic of Camelot and King Arthur, the story goes on to go into a great deal of detail concerning the way in which the kingly court itself functions within the constructs of chivalry which have already been lain out. As a way of further defining the chivalric code, the author goes into a high level of detail regarding Arthur’s court and the “righteous” and “courteous” nature in which it is exhibited. In such a way, Camelot serves as a micro representation of heaven on earth.

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