In Sir Thomas Malory’s Morte
Darthur, Sir Gawain, a knight of King Arthur, represents a key component of
the Arthurian Romance mode of writing. The fact that Sir Gawain is as important
of a role that he is one element of the mode in itself—the story focuses on the
knights of King Arthur. More importantly, however, is the way Sir Gawain treats
the women in the story. On page 335, Sir Gawain expresses to his king his
unwillingness to attend the execution of Queen Guinevere when he states that he
will “never be in that place where so noble a queen as is [his] lady…shall take
such a shameful end.” This passage reveals the Arthurian Romance mode because
Sir Gawain looked highly upon his queen, not in a sexual manner but in a
respectable manner, acting in her defense by refusing to appear at her
execution. Another example of this is seen on page 338, where Sir Gawain
appears in King Arthur’s dream, “a number of fair ladies with him…for whom [he
had] foughten for when [he] was a living man.” Once again, Sir Gawain displays
his defense and respect for women, a key component of the chivalric code for
the knights, and therefore revealing an Arthurian Romance mode. In a way, these
passages might also display courtly love, due to the fact that Sir Gawain does
not seek sexual relations; instead, he may have seen the ladies as a source of goodness—unattainable
and respectable women. The story often says, “as the French book saith.” What
is the significance of this phrase? What exactly is the “French book,” and why
is it mentioned so often in the story?
Taylor, I like your example of Sir Gawain and think you did a good job of trying the passage into our class discussion. Also to answer your question if you go to page 328 and read the second paragraph it tells you that the "French Book" is referring to a translation of the French Prose Vulgate Cycle, which is a major source of arthurian legends that is written in french.
ReplyDeleteThanks for jumping in there Anna. That is exactly right on the Vulgate Cycle. It was a very popular french book that was also on Arthur (remember, everyone in Europe tried to claim Arthur as being their 'mythological' king).
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