Chivalry In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

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For over six hundred years, the Anglo Saxon period strung on in Europe from 410 to 1066. This was another era where mankind celebrated and found a growth in curiosity around religious ideas. The Anglo Saxon period focused primarily on Christianity and the great knights of the century. By the end of the Anglo Saxon period, there were four separate groups that came to become kingdoms. This time period consisted of old English and modern English, but not the modern English known today. “Not only does this ancient literature, the creation of a people formerly regarded as barbarous, exhibit arresting qualities of elevation of thought, and a sustained intensity of poetic emotion, together with great delicacy and tenderness of feeling, but the form …show more content…
There is an undoubtfully thought from that time period that is still reflected in many of the literature of modern day society. One of the thoughts that became prevalent at this time period and began to reflect in the academic work was the thought of chivalry. Chivalry can be defined as the combination of qualities expected of an ideal knight, especially courage, honor, courtesy, justice, and a readiness to help the weak. The code of chivalry is discussed in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by Pearl Poet, The Song of Roland translated by Frederick Goldin, Perceval by Chretien de Troyes, and Morte D’Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory through morality, honor, few questions asked, and just treatment of …show more content…
Perceval was a young boy who was sheltered from his mother who decided it was best that he was unaware of the romance and chivalry of the Anglo Saxon time period. Unfortunately, this was something that never truly happened, as he soon learned about knights, which he would ask many questions from. “He wants to ask him directions, but the young man pesters him with wide-eyed questions about chivalry,” (Uitti). Ironically enough, Perceval was asking questions about the very thing he was breaking by asking questions. Through his journey involving the Holy Grail made his realize and work with women several times throughout this story. “A girl who came in with the boys, fair and comely and beautifully adorned, was holding the grail, so brilliant a light appeared that the candles lost their brightness like the stars or the moon when the sun rises,” (Pg. 716). This was another thing that Perceval often asked questions about. This was disrupting the code of chivalry through not asking too many questions or embarrassing self. This was a very important concept and idea of chivalry through this
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