In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Sir Gawain continuously proves his knightly virtues and code of honor. Chivalry includes bravery, honor, and courtesy. He proves that he is in fact a “real” Knight. He shows his bravery by shying away from nothing and no one. He proves his honor and courtesy to everyone he meets by showing respect to all whether he receives it back or not. Sir Gawain shows his bravery the first moment he has the chance to, when the Green Knight enters King Arthurs Court. The Green Knight taunts with “Anyone with the nerve to try it, take this ax, here.

Hurry, Im waiting! Take it and keep it, my gift forever, And give me a well-aimed stroke, and agree to accept another in payment, when my turn arrives. ” (I, 292) Sir Gawain took this burden and took the ax from the king who was prepared to do this deed. Gawain knows full well that he would receive a blow in return and would have to find the Green Knight in order to receive his blow. He accepts these terms and gives the Green Knight his blow with no haste. Time passes and it eventually is time for Sir Gawain to start to look for his fate and find the Green Knight and his chapel.

Starting his crusade, Gawain was given a feast and many thought he would never return again, as some of the knights would comment, “Better to have been more prudent, to have made him a duke before this could happen. He seemed a brilliant leader, and could have been. ” (II, 677) Gawain knows all of this that on his travel he would be put to death, he still went on this final crusade, to his death with utmost bravery. Sir Gawain also shows his honor often. In accepting the Green Knights challenge he shows his honor to the whole court. Now, set on his crusade Gawain was to prove his honor to the Green Knight.

Though many adversities he faced, he still went on “In God: he could have died a dozen times over” (II, 725) All to fulfill his promise to the Green Knight. His honor and faith would lead him to a castle of splendorous qualities in an unknown wood. Gawain courteously asks for shelter and tells the castles court of his crusade. The king of this court says that he knew of the Green Knight and his chapel and told Gawain it was very close. Gawain pleased, made merry with the king. The king liked him very much and made an agreement with Gawain.

Gawain would prove his honor to this agreement that the king proposed, ” Whatever I earn in the woods will be yours, whatever you win in exchange will be mine. ” (II, 1106) While in the castle Gawain would receive kisses from the lady of the castle, the kings wife an in loyalty and honor to the king and the agreement he would give the king his kisses that he received in exchange. Sir Gawain is very courteous in all he does especially while in the company of the king. He is tempted daily by the kings wife. The lady would be aggressive for Gawains love yet still giving all control of the situation to Gawain for him to make the mistakes.

The lady flirtatiously says, ” Youre far too strong to accept a no- if anyone were boorish enough to deny you. ” (III, 1496) Gawain shakes off the ladies temptations yet still gives her everything she asks for in a courteous polite manner. “And Gawain was so gracefully evasive that he seemed always polite, and nothing happened but happiness. ” (III, 1551) Everyday, when the king would come home Gawain would exchange what he received, kisses, for the kings earnings of his daily hunt. Everyday the king would be proud because the king knew of what his lady was doing to Gawain while he was away; it was all a test.

Gawain passing it marvelously with his chivalric acts. Gawain is tested throughout the story on his chivalric qualities. Everytime passing without any trouble. He proves his honor to King Arthur, the court, and the Green Knight throughout the story. All the while being brave and courteous. Gawain is a true knight because he is human and he makes mistakes, but he doesnt deny these mistakes. He acknowledges them and learns from them. All the time chivalric, as almost a natural quality, not learned or taught, but natural. His honor is unmatched in the story, his bravery unsurmounted and his courtesy like no other.

In the days of knights, kings, and heroic epics, circumcision was not done for sanitary means as is often the case today. Being circumcised was something of a rebirth. It was done when it was realized that one was a sinner and it was promised that they would reform under the grace of God. Sir Gawain was on a mission upon entering the green chapel; he sought to become the next Fisher King. King Arthur became a Fisher King and Jesus was the original Fisher King. In the ensuing confrontation in the green chapel, we then discover Sir Gawain s error; he is simply a mortal man.

In meeting the knight in the chapel, Gawain was supposed to be invulnerable. The fact that he flinched when he was swung at, shows his unnecessary fear. He should have trusted in the power of the girdle. In scriptures read from the bible, it is known that Jesus was not a fearful man. It can also be said that Jesus was not a normal human man. When he was faced with three temptations, he did not succumb. Gawain, too, faced three temptations. While he did not indulge either, resisting one enticement, he committed a sin. In turning away the hosts wife, he avoided lust and adultery.

But his reasons were a sin. He did not care to copulate with the hosts wife simply because he worried what it would do to his knightly reputation. Jesus died for the sins of others and did not flinch upon being nailed to a cross for faults not his own. Gawain was meant to bleed for his very own sins and he flinched. He feared death, which mortal man is commonly guilty of. Though Gawain was meant to become a Fisher King, he failed, showing that he was human and made errors. The flowing of his blood on January first, signifies the cleansing of his soul. The blood shed was for the lie told on the third day.

Having paid for that sin on the third blow made him a forgiven man. When Gawain faced the knight in the green chapel, he too came to a realization. After being swung at twice and finally struck on the third swing, he understood. He knew that he was made to bleed with the third blow because on the third day in the company of his host, he bore no gifts as per their agreement. He came bringing only Judas kisses. The chapel was much like a barrow. Sir Gawain entered it knowing full well that he was to face the knight. One cannot help but assume that his intentions were to receive forgiveness.