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Morality In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

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Morality In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight
Living by morals or a code can be extremely difficult, especially when an opportunity arises to go against them, where no one would know but you if you took it. If you were tested on a set of rules you were held standard to and no one would know your decision, would you stick by them or go astray? Sir Gawain was tested on his chivalrous code as a knight twice, first privately and the second publicly. Gawain fails the first test and passes the second. The natural urges for sex and instinct for survival are exemplified through the tests in this literary work.
The first test Gawain was presented with was the resistance of sexually immoral temptation. Although Gawain does not literally lay with the lord’s wife, he still gives in to the temptation …show more content…
He has integrity and bravery to fulfill the Green Knight’s challenge. Gawain could have run away and not faced the Green Knight. He shows up anyhow, knowing it will be his death. The challenge was to give one blow to the Green Knight, and the same for Gawain. The Green Knight, however, has three blows to give Gawain. Gawain stays strong and allows the Green Knight to do what he must. He passes this public test for showing up and allowing two extra strikes at his head.
One truth of human nature shown in this romance was sexual desire. Gawain is to refrain from sexual behavior and is tempted three times with it. Although he abstains from the actual act of intercourse, he still gives in to a kiss. Another truth about human fallibility is the intuition to survive. Gawain forfeits his religious beliefs and the confidence in his own strength, all to rely on a single girdle that a young, beautiful woman gave to him. He has nothing but the affirmation of a woman that the belt will save him from death and still chooses the belt of over morals.
Sexual craving and the fight to outlast overcome chivalrous code of conduct in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Gawain fails one test, passes another and comes out of this experience with a great lesson learned. Morals are always hardest to follow when no one is watching. Forever keep in mind that God is constantly
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