Sir Gawain Fails at Knighthood

Sir Gawain is an accomplished knight of King Arthur’s Round Table. He is well-known throughout the land for his Chivalry. “Whom all the world worships, whereso you ride;/ Your honor, your courtesy are highest acclaimed/ By lords and by ladies, by all living men:” (Lines1227-1229) The Lord and Lady of The Castle at which he stays intend to discredit his honor. In order to do this they must set up temptations. Gawain makes …

…of the Castle –in spite of their pact. By refusing to reveal this gift, Gawain fails in a second virtue----pure mind. As the Green Knight said to Gawain after the second blow of the axe, “True men pay what they owe;” (Line2354) Gawain’s behavior towards the three blows of the axe reveal also that Gawain values his own life above all else and therefore again reveals his failing in the virtue of fearless courage.