In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the way the poet depicts the importance of a knight's proper behavior towards a lady and the manner in which a knight should represent/ speak about himself suggests that the chivalric code according to which Gawain lives in is a representation not of the real world of the 14th century but of an idealized version of that world. .
The poet presents an idealized chivalric world with the way Gawain behaves towards ladies. The poet demonstrates this ideal in Arthur's court when the knights are confronted with the Green Knight's challenge. Gawain rises to the task; however, before doing so, Gawain ensures he has not offended his queen: "'politely take [my] leave of my place at the table without causing offence to my queen" (346-347). Gawain is a model for the ideal knight, and confirms he has not offended his queen because she is a lady. The poet further displays the ideal of Gawain's behavior when Gawain is at Bertilak's castle. In the bedroom scene, the poet uses Bertilak's wife as a confirmation of the idealness of Gawain's behavior when she offers herself to him: "'You're free to have my all, do with me what you will'" (1237-1238). Gawain counteracts her proposal by declaring himself unworthy of her respect and vowing to please her with his noble actions instead of sexual ones: In-good faith," said Gawain, "such gracious flattery, though in truth I'm not now such a noble knight. I don't dare receive the respect you describe and in no way warrant such worthy words. But by God, I'd be glad, if you give me the right, to serve your desires, and with action or speech bring you perfect pleasure" (1241-1247). Because Gawain is an idealization of the chivalric code, the poet illustrates this by demonstrating what a perfect knight would say in this situation. Despite the fact a gorgeous woman just offered herself to him, Gawain remains loyal to the ideal version of the code.
