Theoretical Frames
Bethany Tesch 9/22/14
Paper #1 LIT 252
In “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,” a very important theoretical frame played a huge role in how the poem turned out and the occurrences that happened throughout the poem. This frame is chivalry and this was shown through Sir Gawain himself and throughout all of the knights. This was the main trait that a knight in this time had to have. Chivalry is the actions and values shown through knights that inhibit honorable traits. Throughout this poem chivalry is constantly tested and shown through the characters and is one of the main frames that this poem is focused on.
Chivalry in “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” plays a huge role in every little piece of this poem. Chivalry comes from morality which comes from Christianity, therefore chivalry comes from Christianity. This upholds spiritual ideals in a spiritually fallen world. Christianity and the values known in chivalry were all brought together in this poem through the shield and pentangle. The pentangle has many symbols and whoever has this is known as the “noblest knight (pg. 199 line 639).” The pentangle represents friendship, generosity, chastity, courtesy, and piety, which are all characteristics that knights must have. Sir Gawain’s virtues were constantly tested throughout the poem. An example of when his virtues were tested is when Bercilak de Hautdesert's wife tries to seduce him when Sir Gawain is under their roof. Later on, it is found that her husband put her up to doing this. This tests Sir Gawain’s virtues because he was courteous although he did not want to indulge in what she was proposing and he showed piety by not sleeping with her and respecting both her and her husband and also, himself. To me the real question in this poem is can heavenly virtue operate in a fallen world? I ask this because many temptations are brought to these knights and it is up to them to make the right decision despite the fact that human nature makes you
Paper #1 LIT 252
In “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,” a very important theoretical frame played a huge role in how the poem turned out and the occurrences that happened throughout the poem. This frame is chivalry and this was shown through Sir Gawain himself and throughout all of the knights. This was the main trait that a knight in this time had to have. Chivalry is the actions and values shown through knights that inhibit honorable traits. Throughout this poem chivalry is constantly tested and shown through the characters and is one of the main frames that this poem is focused on.
Chivalry in “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” plays a huge role in every little piece of this poem. Chivalry comes from morality which comes from Christianity, therefore chivalry comes from Christianity. This upholds spiritual ideals in a spiritually fallen world. Christianity and the values known in chivalry were all brought together in this poem through the shield and pentangle. The pentangle has many symbols and whoever has this is known as the “noblest knight (pg. 199 line 639).” The pentangle represents friendship, generosity, chastity, courtesy, and piety, which are all characteristics that knights must have. Sir Gawain’s virtues were constantly tested throughout the poem. An example of when his virtues were tested is when Bercilak de Hautdesert's wife tries to seduce him when Sir Gawain is under their roof. Later on, it is found that her husband put her up to doing this. This tests Sir Gawain’s virtues because he was courteous although he did not want to indulge in what she was proposing and he showed piety by not sleeping with her and respecting both her and her husband and also, himself. To me the real question in this poem is can heavenly virtue operate in a fallen world? I ask this because many temptations are brought to these knights and it is up to them to make the right decision despite the fact that human nature makes you