Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Social Class Distinction in Sir Gawain and the Green...

â€Å"Sir Gawain and the Green knight† is a romantic Middle English poem written in the fourteenth century by an unknown author. This poem is a fairy-tale like story that gives its readers a glimpse into the social class system of Medieval England. This literary work opens with the famous King Arthur, a local bishop, and King Arthur’s knights enjoying a royal feast at Camelot during the Christmas season. This poem provides an accurate depiction of the feudal system of the middle ages. Within this tale are individuals representing the â€Å"pyramid of power† that symbolizes the social class system of Medieval England. This top of the pyramid group consists of royalty, clergy and noble knights. As this mythical poem begins readers are quickly†¦show more content†¦The significance of religious leaders during this era is evident by the fact that the writer of this poem places the bishop at the beginning of the table. Due to the fact that the â€Å"medieval society was a religious society† and that these religious leaders held a special relationship with God, it is no surprise that these individuals held the second highest social class position in the medieval time period (Feudalism and the Three Orders (Overview) 2). The last level of social class presented in â€Å"Sir Gawain and the Green knight† is represented by the noble knights of King Arthur’s round table. In the European feudal system knight service was held due to the king only (knight service (feudal law) 1). Stories of brave and courageous knights are extremely common in fourteenth century literature. Knights in medieval times were those who fought to protect the king and were often considered valiant and honorable heroes. These noble men were known for their bravery and ability to fight. Gerald Morgan points out that â€Å"beautiful ladies are drawn to the presence of great knights and by the same token such knights must learn to accustom themselves to the company of beautiful ladies†(1). At King Arthur’s banquet, Sir Gawain honorably represents the knights when he â€Å"turned to the king† stating, â€Å"‘I beseech now with all courtesy that thisShow MoreRelatedHistory of British Literature3343 Words   |  14 PagesLate Medieval Period 14th Century British Literature 14th and 15th were period of transition from feudalism to pre-industrial era. A time of political, social and ideological conflicts; England was in war with France (the hundred year war 1337-1453 Edward’s claim to the French throne and attempt to bring England, Gascony and Flanders under unified political control). The defeats in France lead to deepening the internal crisis. The decline in agriculture together with the rise in the populationRead MoreThe History And Culture Of English Literature1979 Words   |  8 PagesCatholic belief during the Middle English Period which is evident in the literary works of Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. A historically non-Christian era is the backdrop Pg 1 in Beowulf but is overshadowed by the poet’s Catholic faith. In Beowulf, the poets writing based on stories of supernatural characters are demystify in Biblical passages. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Grendel, and the many monsters are given a Biblical origin, the poet through the use of mysticismRead MoreEssay on Chivalry2466 Words   |  10 PagesChivalry Chivalry, as defined by Encyclopedia Americana is a system of values and ideals of conduct held by knights in medieval Europe. In its institutional form, chivalry was an informal, international order to which many, but not all, of the ruling class (nobility) belonged. The word is derived from the Latin caballus (horse) through the French chevalier (â€Å"horseman† or knight). Chivalry was born from Feudalism in the late middle ages introducing a new, feminine point of view stressing virtueRead More C.S. Lewis on Misunderstanding Fantasy Essay4960 Words   |  20 PagesLewis, â€Å"I mean a projection for the sake of vicarious pleasures, triumphs, and distinctions† (Lewis: An Experiment in Criticism 53). These people are readers of the lowest class, continued Lewis. However, by this he does not mean socioeconomic class, but rather a literary class based on how much the reader gains and how much he or she contributes to his or her reading. Reading takes the least out of this lowest class because it conforms to what they desire, despite it often being full of impossibilities

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