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Essay / The importance of chivalry in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Le Morte D'Arthur
The novels Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, translated by Marie Borroff, and Le Morte d'Arthur, written by Sir Thomas Malory , recount the heroic adventures and chivalrous deeds of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Through characterization, conflict, imagery, and diction, both works are able to express on a deeper level that every knight, no matter how great, struggles to fully illustrate the code of chivalry that society values medieval. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why violent video games should not be banned"? Get the original essay In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Sir Gawain's actions after accepting the Green Knight's challenge highlight the values of medieval society, reinforcing the importance of chivalry which dictates the ideal behavior of each knight. Gawain embodies a brave and chivalrous knight by humbly asking King Arthur to allow “this fray to be mine” (Borroff 116), and accepts the Green Knight's challenge in the king's place. Additionally, Gawain's courtesy in asking Lady Guinevere if "my liege…did not appreciate [his request]" (120); his display of respect when he “bows before his lord” (141); and his meeting with the Green Knight during which he “is not ashamed at all” (149) are all examples of a knight who defends the values of determination, respect for women and loyalty to the king . Sir Gawain's chivalrous deeds add to his portrait of an ideal and exemplary knight who reflects values important to members of medieval society. The valiant deeds of Sir Lucan and Sir Bedivere in Le Morte d'Arthur reiterate the importance of a knight's duty to their king, reminding readers of a knight's obligation to chivalry that was valued in medieval society. Sir Lucan, who helps transport the injured King Arthur following the battle with Sir Mordred, dies after "his entrails fall from his body", resulting in "the noble knight's heart bursting" (Malory 191). The diction used in the vivid imagery of Sir Lucan's death emphasizes the pain he endured to faithfully serve King Arthur. King Arthur also acknowledges Sir Lucan's selfless sacrifice with sadness and gratitude, saying that "he would have helped me if I needed help more than I did" (191). Arthur's complaint further describes Lucan as a chivalrous knight and praises the decisive sacrifice he makes for his king. Sir Bedivere, despite having betrayed King Arthur "for the riches of [Excalibur]" (192), eventually redeems himself by fulfilling Arthur's dying request and remains at the chapel to pray for his deceased king " every day of [his] life” (194). Even beyond death, Sir Bedivere's loyalty to King Arthur inspires him to stand firm and honor him. The chivalry of Sir Lucan and Sir Bedivere shows how far loyalty to a king can go and how important it is to honor and maintain the relationship between knight and king. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a custom paper now from our expert writers.Get a custom essayThe values of the code of chivalry and the theme of redemption represent important aspects for medieval society, suggesting that the effort to become an ideal knight, despite its shortcomings, was primordial. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight illustrates the struggle to become an ideal knight through Sir Gawain who is upset by the "wickedness and vice" (Borroff 465) of deceiving the Green Knight committed by his "cowardly and covetous heart" (464) . Sir Gawain's determination to improve in.