I haven't slept yet....daddy is awake......didn't finish the essay either...brain is now too tired to work unfortunately....want to read what I have so far? haha...didn't think so but....what they hay...it's 6:18 am and I haven't slept well for 3 weeks....::clears throat:: lol really don't read it... (I AM NOT KIDDING THIS IS YOUR LAST WARNING)...I haven't even read it yet, it's just the jibberish exiting from my overly elaborate notes to my word processor...

The Importance of the Code of Chivalry in Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

In the juvenescence of English literature, an unknown Anglo-Saxon poet and a poet known simply as the “Pearl-poet” wrote the infamous poems, Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. In these works, the lyricists illustrate medieval man’s undeniable necessity for ardent allegiance to the Code of Chivalry so that his chaotic world could bestow stability upon him. This ever so quintessential notion that exposes medieval man’s devote dedication to the Code of Chivalry in his fidelity to his lord, his quest for personal satisfaction and his compassion toward his fellow man are focal concepts frequently found in both Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Beowulf.
Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, both considered classics of literature, blatantly portray the resounding theme of man’s fidelity to his lord. Throughout the poems, the poets quite obviously confirm this prevalent chivalrous idea in the actions of the characters Beowulf and Sir Gawain. The Anglo-Saxon poet illustrates medieval man’s loyalty to his lord through the portrayal of Beowulf’s relationship with his leader, Lord Hygelac. When initially addressing the Danish people Beowulf openly declares, “We belong by birth to the Geat people / and owe allegiance to Lord Hygelac” (Heaney 258-259). Without a second thought Beowulf is declaring his allegiance to his King, neglecting to mention anything about himself until afterward. Even after Beowulf slays both Grendel and Grendel’s mother and is rewarded by Hrothgar, he does not keep his gifts! Instead he returns to his lord, King Hygelac and he immediately speaks, “These King Hygelac, I am happy to present / to you as gifts. It is still upon your grace / that all favor depends. I have few kinsmen / who are close, my king, except for you king self” (Heaney 2148-2151). Naturally, King Hygelac compensates Beowulf for his honorable service with lavish accolades and physical rewards, as all rulers had to do in order to maintain their control in the chivalrous system. From these actions it is clear that Beowulf unquestionably displays his absolute loyalty to his lord, King Hygelac, displaying the power The Code of Chivalry asserted in the poem. Another example of such a display of medieval man’s fidelity to his lord is found in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Sir Gawain is clearly allegiant to King Arthur and the “Pearl-poet” promptly prove thus in one of the earliest scenes. The Green Knight makes his challenge of the ax, requesting that someone cut off of his head with an ax, as long as he, the Green Knight, may return the favor in one year and one day to his assailant. As Arthur steps forward to face the challenge, Sir Gawain requests,
. . . I would offer you counsel before your royal court. / For it seems to me unfitting, if the truth be admitted,/ When so arrogant a request is put forward in hall, / Even if you are desirous, to undertake it yourself . While so many brave men sit about you in their places. / Who, I think, are unrivaled in temper of mind, / And without equal as warriors on field of battle. / I am the weakest of them, I know, and the dullest-minded, / So my death would be least loss, if truth should be told; / Only because you are my uncle am I to be praised, / No virtue I know in myself but your blood; / And since this affair is so foolish and unfitting for you, / And I have asked you for it first, it should fall to me. / And if my request is improper, let not this royal court / bear the blame (Boroff 347-361).
Undoubtedly, Sir Gawain pledges his allegiance and illustrates his gentillesse in this instance. Sir Gawain is exceptionally vigilant of his own word choice, he never oversteps his boundaries. He is offering own suggestion and opinion only, and he carefully states his case, in the end still insisting if his ideas are unsound, it is own fault, not Arthur’s. His devotion to his lineage also is portrayed, as Sir Gawain mentions that he his Arthur’s nephew. However, focally, Sir Gawain is intent on his infinite devotion Arthur. He is requesting that he be allowed the honor serve in Arthur’s place; realizing that he, Sir Gawain, is expendable, yet Arthur is vital to the survival of Camelot. From this display from Sir Gawain, it is obvious that his character exemplifies loyalty to his lord. Undoubtedly, through both the characters of Beowulf and Sir Gawain, the “Pearl Poet” and the unknown Anglo-Saxon poet illustrate medieval man’s dedication to the Code of Chivalry through his fidelity to his lord.
Medieval man’s quest for personal satisfaction is a focal concept of the Code of Chivalry portrayed throughout Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. In Beowulf, not only does Beowulf sail several miles to save a people not his own by defeating monsters, but he insists on killing them gallantly. More specifically, Beowulf vows to conquer Grendel’s mother himself in an overly elaborate victory. During this fierce nine hour underwater battle he is constantly held at death’s door, only to be continually rescued by a superior force, and in the end, he of course triumphs. When he returns, Beowulf gloats to Hrothgar and his people about his victory, stating,
. . . Then my moment came in the combat and I struck / the dwellers in that den. Next thing the damascened / sword blade melted; it bloated and it burned / in their rushing blood. I have wrestled the hilt / from the enemies’ hand, avenged the evil/ done to the Danes; it is what was due. / And this I pledge, O prince of the Shieldings: / you can sleep secrure with your company of troops / in Heorot Hall. Never need you fear / for a single thane of your sept or nation, / young warriors or old, that laying waste of life / that you and your people endured of yore (Heaney 1665-1676). Obviously in this passage, Beowulf is promoting his eminence and physical strength. Beowulf once again illustrates his extreme vigor and his quest for personal gain when he brags about his contest with Breca, a childhood friend. No one else can verify Beowulf’s story, so whether he is elaborating or not, no one will ever know. In this scene, Beowulf is on a quest for personal gain, yet another way to make him look stronger. He boasts,
Time and again, foul things attacked me, / lurking and stalking, but I lashed out, / gave as good as I got with my sword. / My flesh was not for feasting on, / there would be no monsters gnawing and gloating / over their banquet at the bottom of the sea. / Instead, in the morning, mangled and sleeping / the sleep of the sword, they slopped and floated / like the ocean’s leavings. From now on sailors would be safe, the deep-sea raids / were over for good. Light came from the east, bright guarantee of God, and the waves / went quiet; I could see headlands / and buffeted cliffs. Often, for undaunted courage, / fate spares the man it has not already marked. / However it occurred, my sword had killed / nine sea-monsters. Such night-dangers / and hard ordeals I have never heard of / nor of a man more desolate in surging waves. / But worn out as I was, I survived, / came through with my life. The ocean lifted / and laid me ashore, I landed safe / on the coast of Finland (Heaney 559-581).

Searching For on 10/14/2003 06:05:00 AM.