Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is the epitome of the romance genre in the Middle Ages, a genre that features both chivalry and courtly love and emphasizes that the Most important aspect of a knight's duty is to serve God. While most tales of chivalry focus on physical strength and impressive battles fought by fearless knights, this tale focuses on the strength of a knight's faith. Sir Gawain's faith is tested by the beautiful Lady Bertilak, who offers him her green belt. The silk belt is the perfect utility to tie together the two elements of chivalry and courtly love. Over the course of the poem, the Pearl poet changes the nature of the belt and how it is perceived by Gawain. The belt seems like an insignificant, inanimate piece of fabric. However, as Gawain invests all his faith in it, the belt's function, value, and overall connotation become progressively more significant. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay While traveling, Sir Gawain is on the verge of starvation when he comes across the beautiful castle owned by Lord Bertilak de Hautdesert and his wife. Telling them of his assignment with the Green Knight, Bertilak informs him that the Green Chapel is only a mile away and encourages him to stay as a guest. During his stay, Lady Bertilak tries to seduce him while her husband goes hunting. Gawain does not give in to temptation but accepts the gift of the green belt which he is told will guarantee him salvation from death in battle. Heroic in his refusal to sleep with a married woman, but not entirely sincere in not telling the Lord about the green belt, he meets the Green Knight in the chapel. Prepared for his fate, Sir Gawain crouches and waits for the Green Knight to strike him. However he flinches, an action not typically associated with that of the traditional hero, who is expected to stand tall and strong in the face of his opponent. The blow leaves a mark only on Sir Gawain's neck, but on the third blow the Green Knight reveals himself to be Lord Bertilak. He is spared, and Sir Gawain is called a hero for his virtues rather than his strength. The ability to keep his word and be faithful to Lord Bertilak ultimately saves him. Lady Bertilak's presentation of the girdle first tests Gawain's faith. The Lady first offers Gawain a "rich ring, wrought all of gold... worthy of a king's wealth, you may well believe" (ll.1817-20), which makes her second gift - the girdle - seem still more banal. When Gawain refuses the gift, the Lady questions his choice: “'Why does it seem so simple in your eyes?'” (l.1846). The Lady suggests that perhaps Gawain's senses are not keen enough to realize the value of such an object, which intrigues Gawain. However, he claims that "'Before God, good lady, I renounce all gifts'" (l.1822), as earlier in the day he and Lord Bertilak had agreed that whatever either man earns during the course of the day must be given to the other. Up until this point Gawain had kept his personal oath, rejecting both Lady Bertilak's seduction and her offer of the ring. But once the lady reveals the belt's powers to him, he accepts it and hides it even though, according to the terms of the pact with Lord Bertilak, it rightfully belongs to the lord. He gives the gentleman the three kisses that he had previously received as a gift and then lies to him by saying that "everything I owe here is openly paid" (l.1941). He sins by lying, placing the value of the belt above his Christian virtues.".