Women play a prominent role in medieval literature as they break tradition by gaining power and using it to their advantage. At this time, heavy emphasis is placed upon Christian values which created a society which only allowed women to have power; however, the female characters in The Merchant’s Tale and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight defy this tradition. May and Lady Bertilak, Proserpina and Morgan le Fay, both have common tactics in order to gain power.
May and Lady Bertilak gain power by each deceiving a man. Prior to finding and marrying a woman, January assures himself that he “can count upon security, and not be tricked” (360) by his wife because “she will obey by courtesy” (360). When January goes in search of his future wife, he tells his friends that “old beef is not as good as tender veal” (361), implying that young women are more …show more content…
A dispute arises between Proserpina and Pluto when they medal in January and May’s business. As a result of Pluto taking January’s side, Proserpina says “[her] answer she shall have, I undertake”(385), implying that Proserpina will get back at Pluto by giving May something witty to say if January convicts her. Morgan le Fay also creates an elaborate plot in order to get back at Guinevere and “frighten her to death” (2460). Both Proserpina and Morgan le Fay gain power when they are getting back at a person because they are putting themselves in control. This power shows the men in the tales that women are capable of being in control. In Proserpina's case, January convicts May but Prosperina places a witty phrase on May’s tongue which demonstrates to Pluto that women “shall [not] be meek” (385). Gawain commends Morgan le Fay’s sorcery because “none holds so high degree that her arts cannot subdue” (2454-2455), which shows how Gawain is giving Morgan power because he is very impressed with her
May and Lady Bertilak gain power by each deceiving a man. Prior to finding and marrying a woman, January assures himself that he “can count upon security, and not be tricked” (360) by his wife because “she will obey by courtesy” (360). When January goes in search of his future wife, he tells his friends that “old beef is not as good as tender veal” (361), implying that young women are more …show more content…
A dispute arises between Proserpina and Pluto when they medal in January and May’s business. As a result of Pluto taking January’s side, Proserpina says “[her] answer she shall have, I undertake”(385), implying that Proserpina will get back at Pluto by giving May something witty to say if January convicts her. Morgan le Fay also creates an elaborate plot in order to get back at Guinevere and “frighten her to death” (2460). Both Proserpina and Morgan le Fay gain power when they are getting back at a person because they are putting themselves in control. This power shows the men in the tales that women are capable of being in control. In Proserpina's case, January convicts May but Prosperina places a witty phrase on May’s tongue which demonstrates to Pluto that women “shall [not] be meek” (385). Gawain commends Morgan le Fay’s sorcery because “none holds so high degree that her arts cannot subdue” (2454-2455), which shows how Gawain is giving Morgan power because he is very impressed with her