Seeking Social Approval: Sir Gawain Essay

Introduction

It is important to note that many stories of the past focus on the ideas of courage, bravery, honor, and strength. These values are especially relevant among the knights, who are pledged to adhere to specific moral codes, which oblige them to be as such. The story of Sir Gawain and his encounter with the Green Knight is unique in this regard. On the surface, the story explores the concept of deception and honesty, but the storyline also highlights a more psychological idea. Sir Gawain acts in the ways he does because the respect of other men is the most important thing to him, rather than the moral codes and values of knighthood.

Brief Summary

In order to properly analyze the story and provide arguments in favor of the thesis, it is important to briefly summarize the plotline. Sir Gawain is a young knight of the Round Table, who agrees to the deal with the powerful and formidable Green Knight, who asks to be beheaded by Sir Gawain, and in return, the latter’s head will be beheaded by the Green Knight. Sir Gawain travels to the Green Chapel to honor his part of the deal and plays a game with the lord of the chapel (Davis 22). The two exchange the received goods each day, where the host gives his hunting loot, and Sir Gawain gives back whatever he receives during the day.

The lord’s wife continuously attempts to seduce the knight, which is why Sir Gawain kisses the host each day to honor his deal. On the third day, Sir Gawain receives a magical sash, which protects the wearer from any harm, and knowing that he is confronting the Green Knight, the protagonist keeps the belt to himself. The Green Knight reveals himself being the lord, which shows the cowardice of Sir Gawain (Davis 29). The latter returns to the circle, ashamed and embarrassed, but other knights comfort and honor him instead.

Foolishness and Bravery

Firstly, Sir Gawain accepts the challenge offered by the Green Knight because the former wants to receive King Arthur’s as well as other knights’ respect and approval. Being among the youngest knights of the circle, it is evident that he might not be perceived as the bravest and the strongest, which is why Sir Gawain is willing to step forward during the Green Knight’s offer. The latter proposes to behead him with the same favor to be returned at a later date (Pierson 9).

Considering the Green Knight’s large size and stature, even King Arthur was not foolish enough to challenge such an individual. Therefore, it seemed to be a perfect opportunity for Sir Gawain to outshine his peers and become the bravest in the circle by accepting the offer. It is stated that the story is less focused on “physical adversity and more on illicit desire and his own cowardice in the face of death. To become a hero, Gawain has to meet the Green Knight’s challenge” (Sims par. 4). In other words, the protagonist was willing to accept his death after a year in order to obtain the social approval of the knights and King Arthur.

Journey of Cowardice

Secondly, Sir Gawain journeys to find the Green Chapel in order to avoid appearing as a coward. Like the first argument, the protagonist travels to the destination, not due to his own moral code of honoring the deal or bravery but rather for fear of being seen as a coward. Some even argue that he is not a real knight because “he’s a fails on, a nephew, a hanger-on at the Round Table, coasting on his charm, his good looks and his family connections” (Scott par. 1). In other words, the incentives are a social judgment from the circle rather than the core and inherent value of knighthood. Although the story tends to appear as a lesson on bravery, it is a story of a coward and his foolishness to challenge someone who is significantly stronger and more powerful than him. One should note that there is a fine line between stupidity and bravery, and Sir Gawain traverses in the domain of the former.

Honor on the Surface

Thirdly, Sir Gawain agrees to the “game” with the host because he cares what the host thinks of him. Once again, Sir Gawain is unable to dismiss yet another opportunity to obtain social approval from the host. It is evident that despite the lord’s hospitality, he could have refused the offer. However, he is willing to accept it in order not to appear disrespectful and rude. The lord proposes to exchange obtained goods during a day, where he gives Sir Gawain his catch from the hunt, and the knight gives him back whatever he received during that time (Davis 18). Subsequently, he upholds his promise and gives the host the kisses he received from the lord’s wife.

It is important to note that the story showcases how Sir Gawain honorably adheres to the deal by being honest until the third day. However, one might argue that through the entirety of the game, he was not honoring his moral code of knighthood. Sir Gawain should have told the host on the first day that he was being seduced by his unfaithful wife despite possible ramifications. The story seems to show that dishonesty only took place on the third day, but it is evident that the latter was the case from day one. Therefore, the knight’s behavior and decisions are driven not on the basis of honor but by social approval seeking from the lord.

Respect from Men

Fourthly, Sir Gawain refuses the advances of the wife because he wants the host’s respect. The given argument focuses on the fact that Sir Gawain only seeks social approval from other men more than his own selfishness. In other words, there is a possibility that some knights might be dishonorable and selfish, where they only appear as brave and honorable but in reality, seek to satisfy their own needs. Some knights are the opposite of the latter, where they honor their values and codes even if such an approach could lead to their death and disadvantage. However, Sir Gawain none of these types, but rather a fool and coward driven by the need for social approval from other men.

The gender specification is highly valid in this case because it is men whose judgment is of the greatest importance for Sir Gawain, which is why he does not refuse the lord’s game or the Green Knight’s deal. For example, whenever the wife attempts to seduce Sir Gawain, he refuses to satisfy his selfish desires, partly because of fear of losing the host’s respect and partly due to social approval being more valuable for him than his selfish desires (Davis 21). The given moment is the strongest argument supporting the thesis of the assessment because he is not a mere deceiver or manipulator but rather a foolish and cowardly young knight solely seeking social approval from other males.

Shame and Success

Fifthly, the protagonist is unwilling to return to the host because he is embarrassed. At the culmination of the storyline, Sir Gawain’s cowardice is revealed when the Green Knight tells him that he is aware of the belt’s magic (Davis 27). For example, he states, “this that I bear in my neck is the badge of this blame. This is the evil and the loss that I have got from the cowardice and covetousness that I showed there” (Davis 31). On the basis of the information explored in previous arguments, one can see that Sir Gawain’s greatest fear was not manifested in his non-adherence to his own values but rather in the loss of social approval from other men.

It is illustrated in the following piece: “he grieved when he had to tell it; he groaned for sorrow, and the blood rushed to his face for shame when he declared it” (Davis 30). Although the story finalizes on a positive note, with Sir Gawain being comforted by the circle and forgiven for his dishonesty, it is evident that a deeper theme is his need for social approval and acceptance from other men. Regardless of his deception, Sir Gawain achieved his ultimate goal of being honored and approved for his honor and bravery in confronting the Green Knight.

Discussion

A casual reader of the story might perceive the fact that the lesson of Sir Gawain’s adventures revolves around knighthood and dishonesty. However, a deeper analysis reveals that it is a story of a foolish coward desperately needing the social approval of other men. His intentions and motives are driven purely by his desire for social acceptance, where his inner moral code or selfishness is prioritized. If he were a selfish, cunning, and calculating knight, who only appears as brave and honorable, he would not challenge the Green Knight, accept the lord’s game, and refuse the wife. If he were an honorable knight with inner code and values, he would tell the lord about his wife’s advances despite possible ramifications, and he would not keep the sash to himself. However, he is neither of these personalities and thus, his decisions can only be explained by his desire to receive social approval from other men.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sir Gawain acts in the ways he does because he values and seeks the respect of other men as the most important thing. The real moral of the story is not about dishonesty but rather social dynamics among men, who seek social approval from their superiors or older peers. It is a story of a fool and coward who is willing to risk his life to become a respected member of his group. The story is applicable even today, where young males might act against their own interests and well-being simply to earn their peers’ approval. Such behavior is self-destructive and harmful not only to the person doing it but also to others.

Works Cited

Davis, Norman. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Oxford University Press, 1925.

Pierson, Sandra. The Pearl Poet Revisited. Twayne Publishers, 1994.

Scott, Anthony O. “‘The Green Knight’ Review: Monty Python and the Seventh Seal.” The Atlantic, 2021. Web.

Sims, David. “The Green Knight Is One of 2021’s Best Movies.” The Atlantic, 2021. Web.