Sir Gawain the Green Knight’s medieval poem shows two types of medieval courtesy, one towards men and one towards women. Because the two types are different, they require different, sometimes contradictory acts. Compatibility between the two models is a problem for the restoration and maintenance of the social order. Dr. E.L. says that men should be treated with courtesy. Skip Knox stated that courtesy was originally a gesture of kindness to men. It includes trust, respect and sometimes allegiance. Gawain presents this type to Arthur, his monarch, Bercilak, as well as to the Green Knight. (Sir Gawain/Green Knight ll. 651-655 The pentacle represents all knightly virtues and “[suits Gawain] exceptionally well.” (SGGK, l.622) Gawain is considered the ideal knight by his peers and must maintain his polite actions throughout the poem. Gawain, as an Arthur’s Court member, owes Arthur allegiance. Gawain is a knight who accepts the challenge of the Green Knight. Gawain also protects the king and maintains Arthur’s honour by verifying Arthur’s bravery. Gawain keeps the benefits of Arthur’s court so the principle is that Gawain must defend it. Gawain’s and Bercilak’s courtesy is very similar to Arthur’s. It is a matter of loyalty and respect. Gawain, upon arriving at Bercilak’s castle, is treated to warm and elegant clothing, as well as a delicious meal. Finally, he will be questioned about the identity of his father. “Then he had to be politely acknowledged that he was a court servant. 901-904 Bercilak does not request Gawain’s identity until he has displayed hospitality and courtesy. Gawain rejects Lady Bercilak’s advances because he is loyal to Bercilak. Gawain is spared from death by Bercilak because he does the Green Knight a favor. Gawain treats Gawain with courtesy just like Arthur and Bercilak. Gawain and Gawain have agreed to be friendly one year following their first encounter. The courtesy between them is reciprocal in this manner. Gawain was able to keep his promise of honor to the Green Knight despite it most likely resulting in his death. You can see that the gentlemanliness displayed by Sir Gawain to his male counterparts in Sir Gawain is one that includes loyalty, respect and mutuality. Contrary to the opposite, male-female relations are more one-sided than those that involve a reciprocal relationship between courteous men. Gawain, a Knight so noble and exemplary, Whom courtesy is so fully embodied, couldn’t have spent so many hours with a lady, without asking for a kiss. (Sir Gawain’s Green Knight ll. These lines, which Bercilak’s wife utters, are indicative of the inequal courtesy between women and men in the poem. Lady Bercilak here demands that Gawain kiss her. Lady Bercilak dictates to Gawain what courtesy looks like, rather than having to work together to define it. Larry D. Benson says, “In Sir Gawain [courtesy] was the most important aspect the temptation.” (44). Lady Bercilak rejects Gawain’s initial advances and attacks her courtesy. Lady Bercilak demands that Gawain exchange courtesy. “The knight reacted cautiously and in the most courteous manner” (SGGK1282). Lady Bercilak makes Gawain follow her notion of courtesy. The author shows Lady Bercilak as the dominant character in the temptation scene. She enters Gawain’s bedroom and not vice versa. Also, she uses her playful lines to imprison Gawain while surrendering. (SGGK ll. 1211-1216. Lady Bercilak’s assault upon Gawain for his courtesy demonstrates the tension between male and female courtesy. Gawain refuses to follow Lady Bercilak in his model of courtesy, accepting the green gown and following her lead. Gawain’s reintegration into the Arthurian court is hindered by the incongruous nature of these courtesies. Gawain doesn’t escape with his head against the Green Knight. The green girdle he keeps to remind him of his sins will be kept by him forever. Arthur is informed by him that this is the token for the dishonesty he was caught doing. Arthur must now wear the green girdle as long as they live. A man may conceal his sins but not erase them. (SGGK ll. 2509-2511 This girdle symbolizes Gawains ineptitude and courtesy. Gawain’s new marred personality is difficult to get along with Arthur’s subjects. They laugh about the reasons he wears the belt and decide to adopt it. Gawain, however, is not pleased with the green belt. Gawain feels a disconnect between his two models and social life because of the tension. Sir Gawain’s Green Knight represents two medieval ideals courtesy. Gawain can’t be courteous because of their differences. Arthur is effectively cut off by them. The Green Knight and Sir Gawain are both ill-equipped to maintain social order. Works Cited Benson. Larry D. Art, Tradition and Sir Gawain in Sir Gawain’s Green Knight. Rutgers University Press is located in New Brunswick, New Jersey. 1965 Knox. E. L. Skip. “Courtesy” 12 October 1995
