- - - Learn something about courtly love and explain how it is
played out in Part III. Also, explain the significance of courtly love
in the poem.
- - - The green sash the host's wife
gives Gawain - explain its significance. Why doesn't Gawain exchange it
with the host as originally agreed upon?
1) The most famous "handbook" written about courtly love, was written by Andreas Capellanus in the 1170s. A courtly lover was described by Capellanus and accepted by society, as a knight who performed heroic actions in honor of his lover. A knight's lover did not necessarily have to be his wife. It was also traditional at that time, for the woman to give the knight a gift, as a token of remembrance.
ReplyDeleteSir Gawain is approached by his hostess in the poem; her desire is to be his courtly lover. She kisses him and even reproves him for not remembering "what I taught you about love" the day before. She offers Gawain her ring as a love token, and when he refuses, offers her silk belt which he accepts. The struggle between the customs of courtly love and Christianity becomes apparent in the poem: the hostess is married but wants to be his lover, while Gawain feels it would be a sin to take a married woman as his lover.
2) Gawain doesn't exchange the green sash (green symbolizing love and envy) with the host as originally agreed upon, because he feels it would be inappropriate to tell the husband that his wife sought to be unfaithful to him.
1. I have learned that courtly love was not typically between husband and wife. A poet would create the romance to reflect the audiences' immoral nature and establish a relationship between characters that would not exist in everyday medieval marriages ("Backgrounds to Romance: Courtly Love"). This played a part in the poem because it explains the relationship between Sir Gawain and the host's wife. Courtly love also give the woman complete control while the man must be obedient ("Background to Romance: Courtly Love"). In the poem, the host's wife tries to seduce Sir Gawain with admiration and when Gawain refuses to act upon her "hints" she calls him discourteous. Not wanting to disobey his knightly virtues, he then kisses her to please her. These actions exemplify courtly love by allowing the married woman to take control while the single man is at the mercy of appeasing her. The significance of courtly love is to show that Gawain has conflicting characteristics. The desire for the wife forces him to disobey his knightly virtues while not going all the way demonstrates his religious resistance.
ReplyDelete2. The green sash that is given to Gawain signifies his desire to escape his fate with the Green Knight. Since the wife claims it will prevent the wearer from being wounded or killed, Gawain accepts it in hopes of fulfilling his challenge with the Green Knight while not being killed. For that reason, he fails to exchange it with the host as they previously agreed. By wanting to survive the Green Knight's challenge, he breaks his vow with the host.
Courtly love is a medieval tradition between a knight and a married noble women, such as Gawain and the host's wife, which usually signifies nobility and chivalry. The host's wife tries to get Gawain to love her alittle more each day she spends with him. She tries making it seem like his reputation will be ruined if he does not love her which tricks him by giving her affection. Although this situation was part of the challenege between Gawain and the host, Gawain is unaware of the host's true reason why he challeneged him. The host wants to work his way into the royal family by having Gawain make love to his wife, thus getting her pregnant and having that child in line for the thrown.
ReplyDeleteThe host's wife explained to Gawain that the green sash that he would be recieving has special powers that would save him from death. Gawain did not exchange the green sash to the host because Gawain is becoming greedy and only thinks about himself. He knows that he can not survive on his own facing the Green Knight and he believes that the sash will be able to give him an advantage.
1. I learned that courtly love is not only towards women who knights were interested but also women they spent time (the hosts's wife) and women as a whole. When the host's wife spends time with Gawain she says the real Gawain would never let a lady leave his chamber without taking a kiss. This is an example of courtly love because it emphasizes chivalry. The next day, the lady receives two kisses and the third she receives three and in return she gives Gawain her green sash. Gawain did not know that the Lady and Lord were trying to trick him. He simply performed these acts out of chivalry and courtly love. It also doesn't occur to Gawain that the lady's husband would be upset with Gawain for kissing his wife. It's obviously not a problem in their society because of courtly love and chivalry for knights and men. The significance of courtly love in the poem is if Gawain would have taken advantage of the lady, she would have had his child which means his child would be second in line for the thrown and the lord and lady would have won exactly what they wanted and been able to hold the child as leverage over Arthur and Gawain. But because of courtly love, Gawain did not do this and the lord and lady won't get what they're hoping for.
ReplyDelete2. The green sash is significant because it gives Gawain his opportunity to live when he encounters the Green Knight. The lord's wife says that the sash will protect Gawain from all harm including death. This is obviously significant because Gawain is traveling to his death. Previously Gawain was on a death march but now he has hope he will survive because of the sash. This is significant because it gives the story a twist and now the reader doesn't know the ending of the poem and now neither does Gawain. Gawain doesn't gives the host the sash as they originally agreed upon because the sash is his life line now, his opportunity to stay alive. Like anyone else, he kept the sash a secret to protect his life.
Courtly love is between a knight and a married woman, in which the woman peruses the knight. In part three, the lord’s wife is perusing Gawain. She comes into his room, tries and succeeds in stealing kisses from Gawain. Although he is hesitant, Gawain agrees with the kisses because of the challenge that the lord has presented him with. Without courtly love in the poem, the challenge would not exist. It is included because of the exchange that will be made between the lord and Gawain.
ReplyDeleteThe green sash possesses greater value than just an ordinary sash. The woman says that it possesses the power to protect anyone who wears it. It is significant because it is given to him by the woman therefore a token of her love and to allow him to keep a memory of her. He does not exchange it with the host because he believes that if he does wear it, he will escape the green knight with his life.
--- Courtly love is first played out when the lord's wife goes to see Sir Gawain when her husband goes out to hunt. The lady attempts to get Gawain to give in to her but he keeps his guard up. The lady comments that Gawain is being dishonorable for rejecting her. Courtly love has the man perform honorable and heroic deeds for the woman. Gawain notices this and he gives in to her love. Courtly love is significant in this poem because it acts as a ladder to progress the story. As the affair progresses, it leads to greater rewards from the lady. Also, since knights are supposed to be honorable and courteous, courtly love is a good plan to get Gawain to do what the lady wants.
ReplyDelete--- The sash represents Gawain's chance for survival with the encounter with the Green Knight. Also, it also represents Gawain's weakness. If Gawain thinks of himself as the "weakest" of all the knights, he will look for a way to succeed in his endeavors. Gawain doesn't trade the sash with the host because, if what the lady says is true, it can potentially save his life and prevent death during the encounter with the Green Knight. Gawain will still abide to the rules of the game and face the Green Knight, but now there is a chance Gawain can survive.
The action of courtly love does not take place in part three. The term courtly love is literally a pass to perform services with the hosts wife. Gawain however, does not give in to it. He is not using his "free pass". My thought, if I was Gawain, would be that everything I obtain I have to give to the host. Since that is the case, it would be a little awkward for Gawain to have to do that. That would be going through my mind if I was Gawain, however that is just one opinion.
ReplyDeleteThe significance of the green sash is that it is most likely a connection to the green knight. I am sure the sash being green is just a coincidence. Not. Most likely the wife has a connection to the green knight. Who knows the connection she could have with him, probably a close one since we see what she tries to do with Gawain. Gawain probably does not tell the host because he is embarrassed. He does not want the host to think he has to "rely" on a magical sash to keep him alive. A knight should have confidence in his skills, which Gawain clearly does not. Who would? How do you beat someone who live through a decapitation.
---Courtly love is love between a knight and a married noblewomen. Gawain is the knight and the host's wife is the married noblewomen in this scenario. Although Gawain doesn't want anything to do with the host's wife, he also doesn't want to break his knightly code so he sort of plays along with it at the same time. This is significant because he's avoiding his knightly duties just like he's avoiding the green knight by staying at the castle for a few extra days.
ReplyDelete--- The sash is significant because it will protect him from getting hurt or dying. Which is why he's trying to avoid the green knight in the first place. He doesn't give it to the host because he truly believes it will protect him and is willing to break an oath to save his own life.
1. Courtly love is the love of medieval times, wherein Knights courted ladies in a chivalrous manor. In part III, this type of love plays out between Gawain and the lady within the castle. The maiden comes to Gawain multiple times during his visit, and both attempt to court each other. The lord's wife comes to Gawain's room multiple times, only leaving with kisses. On the third visit, she gifts a green sash. This was the final run in with her in part III. Courtly love is significant only because It is the type of love typified by knights at this time. Treatment under the chivalrous code was to be expected at this time.
ReplyDelete2. The green sash given to Sir Gawain is signifcant due to its color. The color green within the book is mainly associated with the Green Knight. The Green Knight, being the Antagonist in Gawain's quest, is represented with green splendor whenever he appears. Green is therefore the antithesis of what Gawain pursues and represents, and what he means to pursue to defeat. Gawain did not exchange it with the host because he agreed not to do so with the maiden.
-Courtly love is when a knight falls in love with his "noblewomen". This term was developed in Southern France a long time ago. Courtly love is played out in Part III because the host`s wife is trying to convince but help Gawain in becoming better. She reminds him that his name is important and basically tells him what he wants to hear rather than the truth. She helps him and teaches him things but it trying to keep his spirit up so he does not think so low of himself.
ReplyDelete-The green sash signified the importance and remembrance of the Green Knight. This was a lesson learned by Gawain and the other knights realized it was important too and began to wear green to be apart of the symbolization. Gawain decides to exchange it with the host`s wife rather than the host because she has helped him and he wanted her to have it. She has taught him many things and he believes she was the right person to have it.
1. Courtly love was used in medieval times to portray chivalry and nobility. Knights would perform tasks to show they have theses two qualities and for the person they love. In Part III of Gawain, Gawain himself shows courtly love. When he was in his bedroom with the host's wife, she was trying to persuade him greatly to show her affection. He refused multiple times until the host's wife threatened his chivalry. Gawain is worried that the lady will spread that he is not chivalrous and he will loose his stature. He must kiss and love her to keep his reputation. Courtly love is also a main concept throughout the whole book. The whole story of Gawain is a result of his courtly love for King Arthur. His love for the king made him accept the challenge on his behalf and also to prove that he is a chivalrous man. His whole journey and encounter with the Green Knight is due to his courtly love for his king.
ReplyDelete2. The significance of the green sash the host's wife gives Gawain is that it is his weapon between life and death. The sash is the one hope that Gawain has been looking for. Going into the battle with the Green Knight, Gawain knows that he will not come out alive. Gawain does not have powers that the Green Knight does to keep him alive. This sash offers him those powers against the Green Knight and is a way he may come out alive when going against the Green Knight. Gawain does not exchange it with the host because he does not want to get it taken away from him. He understands that this sash is powerful and of great worth and the host may not want him to have it. He gives the kisses to the host, but goes back on what he originally agreed on by not telling the host about the sash.
Courtly love is a medieval tradition of love between a knight and a married noblewoman. The relationship was typically unconsummated and was the knight's desire for gaining a higher status. This is shown in Part III by Sir Gawain and the lord's wife. The wife seduces him while her husband is out hunting but Sir Gawain refuses to give in to her. By him refusing, he is breaking the code of chivalry because knights must be courteous to women and respect their desires. The significance of courtly love is that this poses a dilemma for Sir Gawain because he does not want to act on his forbidden love but it breaks the rule of chivalry because he is not being courteous to the woman.
ReplyDeleteThe green sash given to Gawain posses the ability to keep whoever wears it safe from death. He accepts it so he will have a chance to stay alive on his quest to the Green Knight. He keeps this from the host which goes against the agreement of the challenge to exchange any earnings each of the men receive at the end of the three days. He keeps the sash so he can honor his promise to the Green Knight and not lose his life in the process. He chooses to be greedy and withhold his earning which breaks a knight's code of honesty and trust.
In this part we see all the courtly love that is between Sir Gawain and his lady. The significance of the courtly love shown in this part is to give it the romantic aspect to make it more interesting for the reader and Sir Gawain's story. It also gives the history of courting and what it was really like in medieval times for people to court. It is shown in this part that Gawain is forced to say goodbye to his maiden because he is set to leave for the Green Chapel which is why he releases her because she is not his.
ReplyDeleteThe green sash is meant to represent possible protection for Gawain and his fate at the Green Chapel. He does not exchange it with the host because he feels he needs it more because he is the one about to fight and needs it to survive. He believes that this sash could actually save his life.
1.) Courtly love was practice by noble lords and ladies which the characters in story are. Gawain, and the lady are a lord and a lady. The lord would the present gifts to the lady and she only needed to show a hint of approval. The man admired the woman. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, courtly love is most prevalent during part three. Gawain admires the lady who is throwing herself at him, but, because he is chivalrous, he declines repeatedly. They kept it a secret from all others. The only exception was when she gave him her green girdle. It was custom that she not give him anything unless he preceded her gift with one of his own. Throughout the rest of the book, courtly love served as the difference between appropriate interaction and the deadly sin of lust. At the beginning of the story, lords and ladies were in rooms together, and though Gawain declined, the lady repeatedly tried to commit the sin with him, but courtly love prevailed between the two.
ReplyDelete2.)The lady told Gawain that the one who wore the sash could never be killed. The same was said about Arthur's sword, Excalibur. Gawain does not give the lord the lady's sash, because he believes it will give him an edge when he meets the Green Knight again. He hopes that what the lady said was true, and that it will keep the Green Knight from being able to kill him.
1. Courtly love, also known as fine armor, was a medieval European literary concept of love. Courtly love focused on nobility and chivalry. Courtly love was modeled on the feudal relationship between a knight and his liege lord. The knight would serve his courtly lady with the same amount of loyalty that he owes his liege lord. The lady is completely in control of the relationship, and the knight is to be obedient. In Part 3 of “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,” there is an example of courtly love between Gawain and the host’s wife, but with a bit of a twist. The lady continuously asked Gawain for a “love token”. According to courtly love, Gawain should have accepted her request but each time he denied her. The lady claimed that Gawain’s acceptance of her love would be chivalrous, but he did not see it that way. On the whole poem, courtly love once again shows how Gawain has not been a loyal nor noble knight. Her love should have inspired Gawain to do great deeds but it did not. Gawain is not being the noble Christian that he has claimed himself to be. This shows that this entire journey that he has gone on has changed him. Other knights of this time period would have been obedient and loving toward the lady, but not Gawain. With change there is often conflict, and this is exactly what is occurring with Gawain.
ReplyDelete2. In part three, Gawain claimed that he had nothing to give to the lady, and she then offered him a ring. Gawain refused so she then offered him a green sash. The lady claimed that the green sash had magical properties that would keep the man who wears it safe from death. Gawain, having to fight the Green Knight soon, accepted the green sash out of angst. By accepting the sash, Gawain was looking for a way to fight the Green Knight and survive. Gawain however, did not realize that the sash was green and gold, the same colors of the Green Knight’s clothing. By accepting the sash he knows that he had gone against his host and that is why Gawain went to confession right after. Gawain knows that he broke his vow. Originally agreed, Gawain and the host would exchange their winnings at the end of his stay. Gawain’s winnings, being sexual favors to the lady, means that he would have to surrender to the lady to fulfill his commitment. Gawain does not exchange the sash with the host because he was being greedy and wanted it so that during his battle with the Green Knight he could live.
1.Courtly love brings out nobility and chivarlry in knights. Sir Gawain is stuck in between wanting to tell the woman that comes to his room how he feels and him wanting to be courteous, this shows courtly love. She accuses Gawain of non courteous actions, but when he is more courteous towards her, she is upset by him not abstaining away from her. Seemingly a non winnable situation, this is similar to the Green Knight's game earlier in the poem.
ReplyDelete2.The person wearing the green sash is to be protected from harm. This is accepted by Gawain from the Lord's wife. He doesn't give it up as agreed upon, because he believes it is more helpful than God is in the situation. He took his chances with the sash rather than God's help.
Courtly love was a medieval tradition in which a knight and a married woman were in love. This is expressed in Part III between Gawain and the lord's wife. While the lord of the castle is out hunting with his men, his wife attempts to sleep with Gawain. Although many courtly love relationships involved the knight being in love with the married woman, Gawain did not want the woman to come onto him. This was because Gawain wanted to maintain his honor as a knight, and he wanted to remain courteous and keep his chastity. Courtly love is important in the poem because represents the tests in life that people are faced with. Gawain is challenged by the lord's wife to get her pregnant, but Gawain is able to resist, and keep his chastity, while still remaining courteous to her.
ReplyDeleteThe significance of the sash given to Gawain by the host's wife is that it is usually given to a lover, which is how she tried to persuade him into sleeping with her. After his refusal, she then tells Gawain that the sash will protect him in battle. This is important because Gawain plans on using this against the Green Knight. Though his death is almost immanent, Gawain still wants to fulfill his honor to the Green Knight, but still survive the fight. The winnings are not exchanged because Gawain refused to sleep with the host's wife. Because he refused, the vow with the host has been broken, and Gawain cannot live with himself, so he goes to confess his sins because of his wrongdoings.
1) I learned that the basis of courtly love in the medieval times was a tradition of love between a knight and a married noblewoman. We see courtly love revealed in part three of poem. When Sir Gawain is tempted by the hosts wife. She pesters him each morning until she receives a kiss. Sir Gawain is not wanting to do this though. She lavishes him with admiration. She responds that the real Gawain would never let a lady leave his chamber without taking a kiss. Gawain does not want to ruin his reputation. The significance of courtly love in the poem is to show us another weakness and obstacle Gawain has to face. It shows he is not very clever in thinking through the challenges he is offered and accepts them. We will see later on in the poem how the aspect of courtly love will affect Gawain. This mirror the challenge of the Green Knight and how Gawain was unable to learn from it.
ReplyDelete2) It is another significant object that will later come to be bad for Sir Gawain. It is her girdle which represents a token from the mistress whom claims it possesses the power to keep its wearer from harm. He does not exchange the gift because he wants to keep it for himself. He believes if it truly has the power to protect him, he will be able to use it at the green chapel or possibly on any of his adventures after.
1) I learned that the basis of courtly love in the medieval times was a tradition of love between a knight and a married noblewoman. We see courtly love revealed in part three of poem. When Sir Gawain is tempted by the hosts wife. She pesters him each morning until she receives a kiss. Sir Gawain is not wanting to do this though. She lavishes him with admiration. She responds that the real Gawain would never let a lady leave his chamber without taking a kiss. Gawain does not want to ruin his reputation. The significance of courtly love in the poem is to show us another weakness and obstacle Gawain has to face. It shows he is not very clever in thinking through the challenges he is offered and accepts them. We will see later on in the poem how the aspect of courtly love will affect Gawain. This mirror the challenge of the Green Knight and how Gawain was unable to learn from it.
ReplyDelete2) It is another significant object that will later come to be bad for Sir Gawain. It is her girdle which represents a token from the mistress whom claims it possesses the power to keep its wearer from harm. He does not exchange the gift because he wants to keep it for himself. He believes if it truly has the power to protect him, he will be able to use it at the green chapel or possibly on any of his adventures after.
Courtly love can be defined by its emphasis on nobility and chivalry. Knights go to lengths to impress women whether it is through exploits or favors. Courtly love is very romantic while remaining conservative in a sense of abstinence. Courtly love would also include gentlemanly behavior out of courtesy. In “Sir Gawain and the Green Night,” Sir Gawain’s courtesy and chastise are questioned by the lady who continually comes into his room. Initially, she criticizes him in stanza 59, saying, “…knows not how to manage his manners in company, and if any teach you to know them, you cast them from mind.” These two lines illustrate her displeased attitude towards his denial of her services. However, when he responds in a manner that she urged as being more courteous, she goes on to tell him that he needs to resist any urges he has because she is married. This contradiction further develops Gawain’s character. The way the woman questions Sir Gawain’s knighthood through courtly love is strangely similar to the way in which the Green Knight plays his game with Gawain. Not only does courtly love reinforce the contradiction within Gawain, but also signifies the lady’s relationship with the Green Knight. They are in some way related to each other and though the reader is not exactly sure, it can be assumed that this will play a role in Gawain’s ultimate demise.
ReplyDeleteAt first, Sir Gawain says he cannot accept the gift the lady would like to give him because a girdle is often given from woman to her knight. Gawain recognizes that this would be wrong of him, however, the lady mentions that the girdle will help any man to “not be slain by any sleight upon earth,” he is too tempted. The girdle will enable him to keep his promise to the Green Knight by fighting him yet he will not be harmed by the event. Sir Gawain is looking to find the best of both worlds and he finds his way out. On the other hand, his actions appear very deceiving, which proves the Green Knight true in his expectations. Gawain immediately realizes he has made a mistake because he goes to confession just after the events unfold. He does not exchange the girdle because it belongs to the host’s wife. He promises he will not because if he gives it up, their cover will be blown and he will have no protection from the Green Knight in battle. This event signifies Sir Gawain’s death, which turned out to be seemingly unavoidable.
Courtly love is a medieval concept involving the relationship between a knight and his lord's wife. The knight is supposed to serve his lady with the same obedience and loyalty as he does the lord. In this love relationship, the knight is supposed to show the lady obedience and submission. The lady has complete control, and the lord is supposed to be inspired to do good things in order to gain the lady's love. In Part III of the poem, the concept of courtly love is present in between the lord's wife and Gawain. The lady tries to show Gawain affection, and he is supposed to fall victim to her ways. However, he refuses her love. He will give her nothing but a simple kiss even though she asks for more. This shows how much Gawain believes in chivalry. He refuses to make love to the lord's wife because it would not be right.
ReplyDeleteThought Gawain shows how much he believes in chivalry by refusing the lord's wife, he completely goes against his code of chivalry when the lord's wife gives him the green sash. At first he refuses this gift, but then he finds out it will protect his life in all battles, and he can't refuse the offer. He is about to battle the Green Knight, and he is going to need the protection. At the end of the day, he is supposed to exchange all gifts received with the lord, but he keeps the sash for himself. He broke the deal him and the lord had made before the game started, completely dishonoring his code of chivalry.
In part three courtly love isn't stated directly but is showed through Gawains actions. Under christianity he must follow a lady's command and that is a example of courtly love.
ReplyDeleteThe sash is significant in the fact that it's just what he needs to survive his fight against the green knight because it gives him invincibility. But he also breaks the rules while not returning it.
Courtly love is the bond between a married lady and a knight. The knight needs to prove something of worth of himself to the lady. This plays out in part 3 with the lord's wife and Gawain. Thus forcing a test upon Gawain's honesty. This test of courtly love significantly moves the plot along to the point where he determines what kind of knight Gawain really is.
ReplyDeleteThe green sash presents Gawain with a choice between his life or a demonstration of his loyalty. As previously stated the lord does this to test his honesty in which Gawain fails. He decides to keep the sash because he is frightful for his life and would rather live a dishonest one than die an honest man. He values his life more than his reputation which allows him to ultimately survive the Green Knight.
Courtly love shows nobility and chivalry. The lords wife accuses him of being unchvarly when he refuses to do things he wants to. When he does se accuses him of having lack of chastity. This is like the challenge with the green knight because it is an unwinnable battle.
ReplyDeleteThe green sash is supposed to protect Gawain and saw his life. He keeps it because he is desperate for his life and values materialistic things.
Courtly love is defined as the emphasis of nobility and chivalry, specifically men toward woman. It originated as a literary component, but due to the popularity of the literature, it integrated into society. It is also described as an experience between erotic desire and spiritual attainment that is, by turns, illicit and passionate. This was popular to audiences and attracted them, thus the inclusion of courtly love. Sir Gawain examplifies this in his reactions to the host's wife's alluring prowess. On page 50, he states to her "I am all ways unworthy, I know well myself...By God, I'd be glad though if you thought it fit...that I might set myself to the pleasing of your worth." He is showing respect to the woman by insisting that he is not worthy of being in her presence. This is just one example of his exhibition of courtly love.
ReplyDeleteIn one way, this is significant in the temptations that accompany the love. It is illicit, meaning it is sinful and betrays the trust of the host. Yet it is in itself a contradiction, as he is a man of God who warns man not to commit adultry, but goes ahead and submits by his word.
The green sash is a symbol of false security. It represents man's temptation and submission, as it promises to protect him from death. However, by accepting it he destroys his own image and self by submitting to the temptations. He breaks the chivalrous code by which he lived his life, by betraying the host. The color green resurfaces here as well, representing temptations in the image of the serpant it symbolizes. By turn, it represents love. In this regard, it is a symbol of deception by the woman. Gawain unknowingly excepts it because he was so worried about his impending meeting with the Green Knight. He knew that his time was running out, and didn't want to die. He accepts the green sash for his selfish desires, and in doing so destroys his image and the characteristics of a Knight that made him respectable as he was.
ReplyDeleteNot sure why the first I wrote didn't post but...
In the middle ages, courtly love was a relationship between a married madam and a knight of lower social standing, viewed at the time as noble and enriching for the soul. It did not necessarily involve physical intimacy, which was part of the fascination with it. In Part three, the lord uses courtly love as a method of testing Gawain’s honesty. By leaving Gawain alone with his wife, the lord is giving him a choice, and by this choice Gawain’s loyalty to him will be determined. Exposing Gawain to courtly love allows the reader to see both Gawain’s human temptation for the lord’s wife and his virtues as he graciously defends her advances: “In faith I love no one, nor none will love the while”.
The green sash is significant because it drives on the plot in Part three as well as demonstrates the critical difference between Beowulf and Sir Gawain. Gawain must make a critical decision between his life and his virtue when the lord’s wife offers him the sash. When he chooses to break the deal, the reader is able to glimpse a very human aspect of his character in practice. Beowulf and Sir Gawain are different because Beowulf is often considered larger than life. His actions are determined by virtue and service to a king alone; his life serves no other purpose. An aged Beowulf faced certain death in the battle with the dragon, but faced it alone anyway. Contrarily, when Gawain is presented with an opportunity to save his life, he does. This shows that Gawain values his life more than he values his virtues, thus diverging from Beowulf.
1. Courtly love ties in with chivalry and how noble you become to be. Courtly love is shown with a great deed of courtesy and is very romantic. Sometimes it is silent, however it is down with a gentleman like behavior. When the lady comes into Gawain’s room over and over again, she has a rude attitude with him and argues with Gawain. After Gawain becomes baffled by her, he responds in a manner that makes her think. She replies with saying that she is married and he should resist any urges that comes upon him. This dispute helps furthermore Gawain’s character. The Green Knight plays his game with Gawain very similar to how the married woman questions Sir Gawain’s knighthood. This foreshadows the death of Gawain because of courtly love plays an impact on the conflict within Gawain and ties in with the lady’s relationship with the Green Knight.
ReplyDelete2. The green sash that the host’s wife gives to Gawain is significant in this poem because it is his weapon that helps him determine whether he lives or dies. This sash gives Gawain hope. He knows that he will not come out alive when fighting the Green Knight and this sash gives him powers that he does not have but the Green Knight does. The sash is Gawain’s only endurance to help keep him alive. He does not give the sash to the host considering he knows that it is very powerful. He wants it for himself to help him through the battle between him and the Green Knight.
1. I learned that courtly love is defined as the emphasis of nobility and chivalry, specifically men toward woman. It originated as a literary component, but due to the popularity of the literature, it integrated into society. It is also described as an experience between erotic desire and spiritual attainment that is illicit and passionate. This was popular to audiences and attracted them, thus the inclusion of courtly love. Sir Gawain exemplifies this in his reactions to the host's wife's alluring prowess. On page 50, he states to her "I am all ways unworthy, I know well myself...By God, I'd be glad though if you thought it fit...that I might set myself to the pleasing of your worth." He is showing respect to the woman by insisting that he is not worthy of being in her presence. This is just one example of his exhibition of courtly love.
ReplyDelete2. The sash protects the wearer from any harm, so this gave Gawain the courage and strength to finally face the Green Knight. The wife also gives the sash to Gawain as a "token of her love", so to speak. This reinforces the idea of courtly love and keeps the momentum in Gawains favor throughout the rest of the story.