The backbone on which the medieval novel “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” was built is the code of chivalry. Chivalry, in a modern context, can connote the simple practice of being courteous to women. In a medieval context, however, it is the basis of every action a knight performs. Gawain is no different in this regard. Like all other members of Arthur's court, he is expected to uphold the rigid code of chivalry in order to preserve his personal honor and that of the court as well. The Poet Gawain, however, presents the audience with a critique of chivalry through Gawain's ultimate failure in the game of beheading with the Green Knight. By following Gawain's fall from his position as "most noble knight", the audience is meant to understand that being perfectly chivalrous is an unattainable standard. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay During the first part of the poem, the author introduces the idea that chivalry is firmly based on reputation and outward appearances to the point of harm. In the second stanza, the author says: "But the most royal of the rulers of the royal line was Arthur, who, I have heard, is honored above all" (emphasis mine), clearly indicating from the beginning that hearsay plays an essential role in the concept of chivalry. . Since King Arthur's knights are "the most chivalrous and courteous knights known to Christendom", their brilliant reputation is what attracts the Green Knight to court in the first place. And when no one takes up his challenge, the first thing the Green Knight attacks is nothing other than his reputation. Although their "virtues reverberate across the vast kingdoms," the Green Knight tells them that he cannot find the "courage and intrepidity" for which they are renowned. Rather than allow his kingdom to be slandered, King Arthur himself rises to the challenge when none of his knights do, willing to risk leaving his kingdom potentially void of a ruler to avoid tarnishing Camelot's reputation. A year later, after Gawain has accepted the challenge and prepares to leave Camelot in pursuit of the Green Chapel, the author spends an exorbitant amount of time describing Gawain's armor and the pentangle of his shield. The pentangle represents an interrelation of the virtues that Gawain possesses to be considered perfect. It is important to note that the pentangle is on the outside of his shield, a conspicuous place that would be impossible for others to miss. Its perfection is literally found outside; his impeccable armor and pentangle aren't necessarily indicators of anything chivalrous inside, either. Additionally, once Gawain reaches Bertilak Castle, he is treated with the utmost hospitality as he is "famous for his prowess and purity." His reputation precedes him in this situation, and it is because of what others have heard of him that they consider him an esteemed guest in their castle. Once in the castle, he is dressed in fine robes for the duration of his stay, just as he was outfitted in impeccable armor before setting out on his journey. And, when he ultimately falls from grace during the Final Crisis, Gawain reacts viscerally to the idea that his name is tainted by his failure, not necessarily that he failed in the first place. He implores the Green Knight to find a way to "clear his darkened name" before anything else, demonstrating once again that chivalry finds its basis in outward appearances. The fact that thechivalry being so deeply rooted in outward appearances facilitates the idea that Gawain's Christian faith is also rooted in outward appearances. According to Donald Howard, “the chivalric ideal was undoubtedly modeled on the Church's notion of perfection; yet chivalry was basically a worldly institution.” As such, loyalty to knights extended to their lord but also to God. However, since chivalry in "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" is primarily manifested through outward appearances rather than introspection , it can be argued that Gawain is not necessarily following the path of his faith, so to speak. This becomes evident after the Green Knight reveals Gawain's failure, when Gawain states: “…man's crimes may be covered up but never made clear; once sin is bound, it is bound forever.” It is a feeling that directly challenges what is expressed in the Bible. Hebrews 10:10 says, “Our sins are washed away and we are cleansed because Christ has given his body as a gift to God.” He did it once and for all. As a Christian knight, Gawain should be intimately familiar with the idea that Jesus was sent by God for the express purpose of forgiving the sins of man. However, by saying something that so blatantly contradicts what is taught in Christian theology, we can conclude that Gawain's faith is little more than a spectacle he puts on to check a box on the list of chivalrous values ​​that he must defend. He attends mass and prays throughout the poem, but these things only take place when he is in the company of other people or when he wants something from God. This does not demonstrate an authentic Christian faith, but rather a faith concerned with convincing others that it is authentic. Gawain's faith, like the pentangle on his shield, is a superficial projection of his own chivalry. Furthermore, by claiming that he is above forgiveness, Gawain is actually demonstrating a pride that he should not have, as a Christian and a chivalrous knight. Once again, thinking that one is above the forgiveness of other knights and, more importantly, God, shows that Gawain does not take his Christian faith to heart. Proverbs 16:18 warns against this type of behavior, stating that "pride comes before destruction, and a proud spirit goes before a fall." It seems that when Gawain fails in one virtue, he also fails in all of them. His “cowardice leads to lust and lust leads to deception,” suggesting “a kind of inverse connection between the vices.” Gawain's deception then leads to a display of inflated ego and lack of faith in God, further tarnishing his chivalrous image. When Gawain returns to Camelot after failing to uphold the tenets of the code of chivalry, the reaction of Arthur's court is mystifying. . Indeed, Arthur's court is a place where the most chivalrous and courteous knights gather; However, instead of reprimanding or ostracizing Gawain for his failure, he is welcomed back into the fold with open arms, and the green sash that is meant to eternally represent his sin is adopted as a symbol of honor among the knights of the court. The fact that the knights react in this way and choose to adopt the belt as a symbol of honor while Gawain wears it as a symbol of failure is very telling. It is at this point in the poem that the author explores the failure of the entire court rather than just the failure of Gawain as an individual. As author Benjamin Utter states: "The problem at the heart of the poem is not that any particular sin was,.