Portrayal of Women in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight...

In medieval literature, the role of women often represents many familiar traits and characteristics which present societies still preserve. Beauty, attractiveness, and grace almost completely exemplify the attributes of powerful women in both present and past narratives. European medieval prose often separates the characteristics of women into two distinct roles in society. Women can be portrayed as the greatest gift to mankind, revealing everything that is good, pure, and beautiful in a womans life. On the other side of the coin, many women are compared to everything that is evil and harmful, creating a witch-like or temptress quality for the character. These two aspects of European culture and literature show that the power of†¦show more content†¦Even though these qualities are praised in this culture, medieval narratives commonly uphold unrealistic virtues of what a perfect woman is. After Lanval vows to keep their love a secret, the queen of the court tempts the k night with her love. She says, Lanval, I have honored, cherished and loved you much. You may have all my love: just tell me what you desire! I grant you my love and you should be glad to have me (pp. 1771). Shortly after Lanval rejects her advances, the queen further establishes her ill will towards the good knight by saying, I well believe that you do not like this kind of pleasure. I have been told often enough that you have no desire for women (pp. 1771). The importance of these accusations exemplifies the queens power and influence over Lanval. Although he graciously declines the queens love, he regrettably reveals his love to the queen in an attempt to prove himself to the court. He says, And I will tell you one thing; you can be sure that one of her servants, even the very poorest girl, is worth more than you, my lady the Queen, in body, face and beauty, wisdom and goodness (pp. 1771). The manner which the queen entices Lanval reveals that both power and evil can be ea sily compared to this womans actions, showing readers the other side of the coin. The division between these two women illustrates how often this society feeds off of a virgin/ whore dichotomy, branding such womenShow MoreRelatedAspects Of The Arthurian Romance In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight1335 Words   |  6 Pagestwo works, Lanval and Cheverefoil, which elicit the position of feminism when juxtaposed with Sir Gawain and the green knight, transform the perception of Arthurian Romance especially in context of the portrayal of the feminine figure. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a late 14th-century Middle English alliterative romance that outlines an adventure of Sir Gawain, a knight of the round table of King Arthur. In the tale, the challenge from a mysterious warrior is accepted by sir Gawain. The warriorRead More The Use of Magic in Medieval Literature Essay2847 Words   |  12 Pagesmagic in medieval literature. The discussion of magic involves not only the disparity between Christian and pagan tradition but also of gender roles, most notably in the Arthurian mythos. Beowulf, Marie De Frances Bisclavret and Lanval, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Sit Thomas Malorys Le Morte DArthur involve the concept of magic and magical creatures and consequently, illustrate the treatment of magic of their time. In Beowulf, the idea of magic is one that is feared and unworldly.Read MoreStatement of Purpose23848 Words   |  96 Pagesbeyond the physiological drive to eat to encompass all those physical (and shameful) longings associated with the body. And, in a culture where women were by definition immoderate and sensual, female food appetite, I argue, constituted an unruly desire that demanded both social and moral discipline. In brief, my research concerns the patriarchal control of women s bodies in sixteenth and seventeenth-century England vis-a-vis a cultural idea about food desire and satiation as suggestive and immodest