The Sincere Hero And His Comedic Predicament - 936 Words

The Sincere Hero and His Comedic Predicament The epic poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, presents the typical medieval hero going on a ridiculous quest. Gawain exemplifies the five principles of chivalry as he addresses each challenge on his journey, making him a true hero. However, the tale places this serious hero in an absurd situation, illustrating the comical elements the poem holds as well. The measure of an honorable hero in medieval romances is his ability to follow the chivalric code. Five characteristics are typically named when describing this code: friendship, fraternity, purity, politeness, and pity. In this poem, the correlating traits are listed when the author describes the symbol on Sir Gawain’s armor. A piece of the sacred knot is said to represent several sets of items and â€Å"Of the fifth group of five he [Gawain] honoured constantly/ The first four were generosity, good fellowship,/ Cleanness, and courtesy, uncurbed and unimpaired;/ Lastly compassio n, surpassing all† (651). Throughout his quest, Gawain demonstrates his devotion to chivalry by following each of these values, even when they may seem to contradict. The classic hero’s tale is dominated by three major challenges, the first of which is initiated by an intruder in the home. When King Arthur’s court is confronted by the mysterious green knight, Sir Gawain begins his adventure by humbly asking for it. He says to Arthur, â€Å"‘ I am the weakest and the least in wit;/ Loss of my life is therefore