In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, an exemplar of a dutiful, committed, and chivalrous knight is told and evaluated through extraordinary circumstances. What was originally thought of as a stereotypical hero's tale quickly turned into a “rough” universal truth for me. Much can be said about a man's loyalty, bravery, chivalry, and character. However, like Eric points out, they must be put through trial and test to fully justify themselves. Described as a knight who is faithful to destiny and accepting of fate, Gawain initially seems to be the ideal hero and all-around good guy. Even the armor (shield) that he is adorned with is reflective of himself:

“He braydez hit by the bauderyk, aboute the hals kestes,

That bisemed the segge semlyly fayre.

And quy the pentangel apendez t that prynce noble

I am in tent yow to telle, thof tary hyt me schulde:

Hit is a syngne that Salomon set sumquyle

In bytoknyg of trawthe, by tytle that hit habbez,

For hit is a figure that haldez five poyntez,

And uche lyne umbelappez and loukes in other...”

(“He swings it over his baldric, throws it round his neck,

Where it suited the knight extremely well.

And why the pentangle should befit that noble prince

I intend to explain, even should that delay me.

It is a symbol that Solomon designed long ago

As an emblem of fidelity and justly so;

For it is a figure consisting of five points,

Where each line overlaps and locks into another...”)

621-628

Given his pact that was made with the Green Knight, the journey Gawain undertakes to fulfill his end of the bargain is fraught with many potential challenges to his integrity and knighthood. With these circumstances, Gawain still holds true to his duty and challenge, unyielding to the pleas and distractions of others. In an instance where he stays at a lord's castle, he refuses to stay any longer than three days in the comfort of a bed, fine dining, and friends due to his unrelenting focus towards his obligation with the Green Knight:

“Naf I now to busy bot bare thre dayez,

And me als fayn to falle feye as fayly of myyn ernde.”

(“I have now for my business only three short days,

And would rather be struck dead than fail in my quest.”)

1066-1067

The important point in the story however, does not lie within his already-known exploits and integrity. The truth was found in the fault that he committed in taking the girdle from the lord's wife from fear of dying. It is also essential to note that Campbell's description of a hero does not fit with Gawain now, as the human instinct or “bias” to survive is involved with a person's duties.

The phrase, “HONY SOYT QUI MAL PENCE,” which translates to be “Shame upon him who thinks evil of it,” is the lesson or truth is to be taken from this tale. In effect, I believe that this phrase ties in strongly with a person's sense of duty to his commitments and obligations. Gawain's integrity and unrelenting fervor is symbolic of this. When we pursue certain dreams and goals, we must not falter and remain strong. And to a certain extent, I can see this phrase commonly used in England for its potential in Nationalism and self determination.