Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

 

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a poem that seeks to advance the theme of realistic human expectations. This is especially considering that it promotes an image of characters that are based on the medieval ideal of chivalry as well as knightly valor. It also shows the hypocrisy of the various characters in such a way that despite claiming to hold onto their ideals, they are actually quite human and they seek to preserve their lives at all costs, even being tempted to put aside their honor for the sake of undertaking human actions. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight begins in the ideal setting of King Arthur's court where everyone is young, good-looking, and the best at everything. However, because of his experiences, Sir Gawain learns that such perfection is an unrealistic expectation for any human being.

The theme of perfection is a prominent one in the poem, and this is to such an extent that it seeks to show the manner through which individuals are constantly tested when it comes to committing to their ideals. Sir Gawain is shown to be an individual that has a deep commitment to the characteristics that are prized in Arthur’s court. His commitment to chivalry is, however, considerably tested because despite his ideals, he is still human. This is especially the case where Gawain is tempted to let go of his chivalrous ideals, which are essentially considered perfection, and give in to his human instincts. The manner through which he relates to the Green Knight is a prominent example of the test to his perfection, because the Green Knight seems to have an agenda to ensure that Gawain realizes that he is only human. Furthermore, despite being an individual that is considered perfect and is chivalrous, Gawain is sorely tempted to give in to his human needs and commit adultery with the attractive wife of his host. Thus, from the very beginning of the poem, Gawain is shown to be an individual who has to constantly struggle to uphold his perfect image through denying that he is essentially human with the needs that are associated with it. Therefore, Gawain makes use of the code of chivalry as well as religion as a wall against those characteristics that essentially make him human; instead seeking to maintain the façade of perfection.

Sir Gawain’s struggles towards maintaining his perfection is one that is constantly tested during his stay with his hosts. His struggle is especially exemplified in the nights that he spends with his hosts, where the host’s wife attempts to seduce him on two consecutive nights. However, Gawain struggles to maintain his perfect image by making the decision to kiss his host instead. Gawain makes the decision to kiss his host because to do so would be considered innocent while to have an affair with his host’s wife would be looked upon as a betrayal that would have tarnished his perfect image (Greenblatt & Christ, 2012). Therefore, the actions undertaken by Gawain can be considered his attempt to ensure that he maintains his perfection that is exemplified through his holding onto the code of chivalry. The struggles through which Gawain undergoes to overcome the temptation of being with his host’s wife show that despite his seeming perfection, he is still a human being, with human needs and wants. He is in a constant struggle to ensure that he holds on to his chivalrous nature; a situation that essentially displays his humanity because if he really were perfect, he would not have been tempted in the first place. By seeking to maintain a perfect image, Gawain is essentially denying his humanity and this makes him into an individual that seems aloof. This experience can be considered an essential aspect of making sure that Gawain begins to come to terms with his humanity and the manner through which it is the natural state rather than an alien one.

One of the most significant lessons learned from the experiences of Sir Gawain is that it is essential for individuals to embrace their humanity, with all its imperfections. While Gawain can be commended for seeking to do right by all those individuals that rely on him, he is still human, with all the fears that come with it. Gawain is portrayed as an honest man who undertakes the action of facing the Green Knight with the knowledge that it might end up taking his life. Concerning the situation that he faces, it is stated that “True men pay what they owe,” (Greenblatt & Christ, 2012, p. line 444). Despite being honest with his host concerning the two kisses from his host’s wife, Gawain hides information concerning the green girdle that the latter gave him in order to preserve his life when he faces the Green Knight. Hiding information concerning the green girdle from the Green Knight is a sign of his humanity and this is to such an extent that he essentially seeks to preserve his life despite always seeking to maintain his chivalrous code. His experiences essentially show him to be human, with the sense of self-preservation that makes him want to protect himself against the possibility of death. It is because of this realization that the Green Knight, despite being in the right to do with his as he wants, makes the decision to let Sir Gawain live. It is an acknowledgement that Gawain has come to terms with his humanity and that perfection is an unrealistic aim when it comes to being human.

In conclusion, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a poem that seeks to show that perfection is not a human characteristic. The tests and experiences that Gawain undergoes are reminiscent of what all humans undergo on a daily basis as they struggle to ensure that they advance towards perfection and seek to achieve their full potential through maintaining values that they believe are essential for order to prevail within their own societies. However, the achievement of perfection is only a façade because human beings are by nature imperfect and cannot attain perfection.