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Gawain by Guenevere
Toward the king doth now incline:
‘I beseech, before all here,
That this melee may be mine.
(339-342)

Gawain is brave to step in to potentially be killed. Gawain honors the terms of the deal. Once the green knight lives through the cut, Gawain still does not back down.

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I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) ("...and I would roll 500 more just to be the man who rolled a thousand miles to fall down at your door...")

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Now he rides in his array through the realm of Logres
Sir Gawain, God knows, though it gave him small joy!
All alone must be lodge through many a long night
Where the food that he fancied was far from his plate;
(691-694)

Gawain keeps the promise of the Christmas games. He was told to find the Green Knight in a year and a day. Gawain could have pushed aside the agreement and kept living his life without finding the Green Knight. Gawain fulfills the rules of the Christmas Games no matter how hard the journey was.

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Another lady led her by the left hand
That was older than she—an ancient, it seemed,
And held in high honor by all men about.
(946-949)

At this point in the story, Gawain arrived at the castle in the middle of the woods. He was introduced to the ladies. He treated both of them with respect and dignity. Even though the older lady does not look like much, Gawain still treats her with respect.

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"Would you grant me the grace,” said Gawain to the king,
“To be gone from this bench and stand by you there,”
(343-344)

Gawain took the challenge from Arthur. He would rather die than have his king die. King Arthur is higher ranking then Sir Gawain and Gawain respects all that Arthur had done for him.

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The court assays the claim.
And in counsel all unite
To give Gawain the game
And release the king outright.
(361-365)

Gawain is highly respected among the people of the court. He gains this respect with bravery and no one fights against his orders. He is respected because he respects others and will take up the challenges that the court faces.

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When Gawain had gazed on that gay lady,
With leave of her lord, he politely approached;
To the elder in homage he humbly bows;
The lovelier he salutes with a light embrace.
He claims a comely kiss, and courteously he speaks;
(970-975)

At this point in the story, Gawain just got to the castle in the middle of the woods. He was introduced to one old lady and one young lady. Even though the old one was not of traditional beauty, he did not treat the two ladies any different. He treated them both the same as if they were both young and beautiful.

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Brought it down deftly upon the bare neck,
That the shock of the sharp blow shivered the bones
And cut the flesh cleanly and clove it in twain,
That the blade of bright steel bit into the ground.
(423-426)

Gawain is not afraid of the fight. He steps up and cleanly slices the Green Knight’s head off without a second thought. Once the knight picked up his head, Gawain still did not show any fear. During this small battle we can see his manhood through his bravery.

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Fie glanced at Sir Gawain, and gaily he said,
‘Now, sir, hang up your ax, that has hewn enough,’
And over the high dais it was hung on the wall
(476-478)

Gawain cuts the Green Knight's head off in combat and his ax is then hung over the dais to be seen by all. Gawain has proven his bravery through his battle and is now more honorable because of it.

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'Sir Gawain, forget not to go as agreed,
And cease not to seek till me, sir, you find,
As you promised in the presence of these proud knights.
To the Green Chapel come, I charge you, to take
Such a blow as you bestowed—you deserve, beyond doubt,
A knock on your neck next New Year’s morn.'
(448-453)

Gawain is willing to die for his people. He does not let anyone else take the bet because he does not want anyone else to be killed. Gawain understands the kind of commitment he made when he went to take the challenge. He knows he will most likely die and is okay with that.

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And you, that with sweet vows sway women’s hearts,
Should show your winsome ways, and woo a young thing,
And teach by some tokens the craft of true love.
How! are you artless, whom all men praise?
Or do you deem me so dull, or deaf to such words?
(1525-1529)

The lord’s wife wanted Gawain to break the agreement. She was testing his nobility and honor. To get Gawain to make the poor decisions, she tried to hurt his pride to make him angry. This did not work, Gawain stayed calm and did not do anything he regretted on that night.

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“Keep, cousin,” said the king, “what you cut with this day,

And if you rule it aright, then readily, I know,

You shall stand the stroke it will strike after."
(372-374)

Gawain took the challenge from Arthur. Gawain understands the consequences of accepting the conditions and still takes them. He knows he will die. He would rather die than have his king die. He is giving Arthur his own life.

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She reached out a rich ring, wrought all of gold,
With a splendid stone displayed on the band
That flashed before his eyes like a fiery sun;
It was worth a king’s wealth, you may well believe.
But he waved it away with these ready words:
“Before God, good lady, I forego all gifts;
None have I to offer, nor any will I take."
(1817-1823).

Gawain did not want to take the ring because he had nothing to give to her in return. The lord’s wife explained how expensive the ring was and Gawain saw it was rude to take without giving anything in return. Gawain refused the gift because he saw that as the most polite thing to do.

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The GIF is Gawain speaking to King Arthur

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“Now hold your grim tool steady
And show us how it hacks.”
“Gladly, sir; all ready,”
Says Gawain; he strokes the ax.’”
(413-416)

Gawain took the challenge from Arthur. He would rather die than have his king or anyone else die. Gawain was unselfish with his life when other's lives were on the line.

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You kissed my comely wife—each kiss you restored.
For both of these there behooved but two
feigned blows
(2350-2352)

Gawain stayed good on his promise to the lord. He gave the lord everything that he had gotten during his stay no matter how comfortable he was with doing so. Gawain gave the lord the kisses that the lord’s wife gave Gawain.

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I am the weakest, well I know, and of wit feeblest;
And the loss of my life would be least of any;
(354-355)

With rage in heart he speaks,
And grieves with many a groan;
The blood burns in his cheeks
For shame at what must be shown.
(2501-2504)

Gawain does not think that he is worth much. He believes his only worth is being Arthur’s nephew. Additionally, once Gawain gets home from his journey with the Green Knight, he is humiliated which humbles him. He understands that what he did was wrong and owns up to it. Gawain does not lie to the court about his actions but wants everyone to learn from them.

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On shield and coat in view
He bore that emblem bright,
As to his word most true
And in speech most courteous knight
(636-639)

At this point in the story, Gawain is out looking for the green knight. Gawain holds the emblem of his court on his shield wherever he goes so everyone knows who he is fighting for. He wears his five virtues and tries to live by them as best as he can.

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I believe that Gawain is a rightful knight at the Round Table. Gawain has many of the traits of a knight. Gawain did have some bumps in the road but he is still a human that makes mistakes. Gawain trades his life for others and is honorable to himself and those around him. At the end of the poem, he redeems himself from his slight diverges by being truthful to himself and the court. Among other things, Gawain is generous, polite, selfless, trustful, humble and loyal. Gawain also serves the code of chivalry through service, obeisance, respectfulness, honor, respect of himself, courtesy, battle, combat, defense and tranquility.