Jose Cisneros

Per7
10/12/2010

The Chivalric Codes in “Sir Gawain and the Green

Knight” and “Morte d’ Arthur”

Regardless of the diverse written definitions of chivalry, the medieval knightly

class was dexterous at the art of war, trained in battle armor, with horses, lances, swords

and shields. Knights were taught to excel in the arms, to show courage, to be courtly,

loyal and to swear off cowardice and to serve his king and county. But, what is chivalry?

Chivalry can be depicted to the medieval establishment know as knighthood. Which was

an elongated phase that a knight went through till worthy of becoming a knight. Usually

though the definition of chivalry can be associated with the key ideals and virtues. With

the chivalric influences such as the ideals and code of conduct that are represented in the

poems but, also show that not all knights up hold their chivalric code.

As in the poem “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” translated by Brian Stone

Gawain’s adherence to these virtues is tested throughout the poem, but the poem

examines more than Gawain’s personal virtue; it asks whether that true ideal virtue can

operate in a fallen test. What is really being tested in “Sir Gawain and the Green

Knight” might be the chivalric system itself symbolized in the Green Knights test. As

Arthur’s court depends heavily on the code of chivalry, and Sir Gawain and the Green

Knight criticizes the fact; that chivalry values appearance and virtues ideals over truth.

Arthur is introduced to us as the “most courteous of all”, indicating that people are ranked

in this court according to their mastery of a certain code of behavior and good manners.
Jose Cisneros
Per7
10/12/2010
When the Green Knight Challenges the court, he mocks them for being so afraid of his

words,

Suggesting that words and appearances hold too much power over the company of there

chivalric codes. The members of the court never reveal their true feelings, instead

choosing to seem beautiful courteous, and fair-spoken.

In the next poem “Morte d’ Arthur” by Sir Thomas Malory King Arthur

manifested his great chivalric duties when he was confronted by his illegitimate son,

Mordred. He upholds his courage and showed the respected authority in the beginning of

the poem. Arthur’s’ companion Sir Bedievere also showed his true idealistic virtue when

he went to the chapel and prayed so earnestly for his king. But, poem examines more than

Arthur’s personal virtue; it also asks whether that his true virtue can trust the loyalty of

Sir Gawain in which he see in his dreams.

As both poems showed chivalric codes and virtues they also demonstrated

unknightly conduct. In the poem “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” promotes the ideals

of the chivalric code and shows how men who are undeniably imperfect and destined to

sin on there chivalric behalf. Some of these values contradict each other so that a virtuous

Knight is always struggling to balance the demands of the chivalric code. As in the

“Morte d’ Arthur” poem chivalry was broken in every aspect of the “Code of Chivalry”.

Sir Bedievere one of Arthur’s knights was cheating Arthur’s act when he told Sir

Bedievere to throw Excalibur into the lake. Arthur also broke a code when he attacks his

illegitimate son, Mordred from behind.

Jose Cisneros
Per7
10/12/2010

So ask yourself right now. What is Chivalry? Let alone what isn’t Chivalry? With the

chivalric influences such as the ideals and code of conduct that are represented in the

poems and how also they showed that not all knights up hold their chivalric code. Quote:

“Chivalry is the most delicate form of contempt” – Albert Guerard