The Test of Honor in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight During the course of the medieval poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Gawain is presented with a number of choices, and must, as a result of these options, make difficult decisions. In most instances, his choices trap his natural self-interest in preserving his own life against his sense of honor. Honor was a major factor in the Age of Chivalry - commanding a much higher priority than it does in our society today. Gawain made more than a few decisions in the poem and from the start he was facing not only the loss of his pride, hi