Chivalric and Courtly Culture through Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Within the short story “Sir Gawain And The Green Knight” many cultural aspects and values are revealed regarding the nature of the chivalric and courtly codes of medieval England. Sir Gawain and the members of the castle exhibit key aspects of these codes such as the necessity to treat strangers politely, be generous with the spending of money, adress women with honor and respect, and ,if a knight, always serve a lady in part 2 lines 970-990.
Women in courtly culture, while lacking power, were expected to be treated with the utmost respect and dignity. Such behavior is demonstrated by Gawain as he greets the noble woman and the lady of the house. Gawaine salutes and deeply bows to the older noble lady and also “takes the lovlier briefly in his arms, kisses her respectfully and courteously speaks”(972-74) .Gawain’s respectful manner and courteous speech acknowledge the honor and and respect owed the women of the court in this time period while also demonstrating various appropriate ways to convey courtesy to women. Female elders are met with deep bows and salutes whereas younger ladies are kissed and approached more directly. Such divisions in methods of politeness as exhibited by Gawain identify key aspects of the courtly code’s nature of …show more content…
Upon their request to make his acquaintance, Sir Gawain “quickly begs truly to be their servant, if that would please them” (975-76). Gawain’s instant reaction of servitude and need to please the women of the court illustrates the depth to which such chivalric teachings have been instilled within the knights of the time period. Gawain embodies the expectation of a knight placing the value of a lady’s happiness of utmost importance worthy of any
Within the short story “Sir Gawain And The Green Knight” many cultural aspects and values are revealed regarding the nature of the chivalric and courtly codes of medieval England. Sir Gawain and the members of the castle exhibit key aspects of these codes such as the necessity to treat strangers politely, be generous with the spending of money, adress women with honor and respect, and ,if a knight, always serve a lady in part 2 lines 970-990.
Women in courtly culture, while lacking power, were expected to be treated with the utmost respect and dignity. Such behavior is demonstrated by Gawain as he greets the noble woman and the lady of the house. Gawaine salutes and deeply bows to the older noble lady and also “takes the lovlier briefly in his arms, kisses her respectfully and courteously speaks”(972-74) .Gawain’s respectful manner and courteous speech acknowledge the honor and and respect owed the women of the court in this time period while also demonstrating various appropriate ways to convey courtesy to women. Female elders are met with deep bows and salutes whereas younger ladies are kissed and approached more directly. Such divisions in methods of politeness as exhibited by Gawain identify key aspects of the courtly code’s nature of …show more content…
Upon their request to make his acquaintance, Sir Gawain “quickly begs truly to be their servant, if that would please them” (975-76). Gawain’s instant reaction of servitude and need to please the women of the court illustrates the depth to which such chivalric teachings have been instilled within the knights of the time period. Gawain embodies the expectation of a knight placing the value of a lady’s happiness of utmost importance worthy of any