Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Courtesy Analysis

The idea of courtesy is all throughout Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Courtesy is the idea of politeness and courtly manners or behavior, it was a knightly virtue and highly valued during this time period. Specifically, King Arthur’s Court are expected to be courteous along with the other knightly virtues represented in the pentangle. The knightly virtues that are represented are courtesy, piety, purity, generosity, and compassion. Gawain is tested on his courtesy throughout stay at Bertilak’s castle. Courtesy is showcased and tested through both men and women, but it seems to be different kinds of courtesy shown towards men versus women. Courtesy towards men is showcased through loyalty, respect, and servitude. Women are show courtesy in

These virtues are interconnected, called “the endeles knot”, meaning that these virtues stand and fall together (line 630). For example, you can’t have courtesy without purity or loyalty and vice versa. Arthur’s Court has a reputation of being courteous, mentioned by both our unnamed third person narrator and the Green Knight. The narrator states that they have heard that there no other knights like those at the Round Table, “Bot of alle that here bult, of Bretaygne kynges, / Ay was Arthur the hendest, as I haf herde telle.” (lines 25-26). The Green Knight states that the reputation of the Court is what is there for, “The wyghtest and the worthyest of the worldes kynde, / Preve for to play wyth in other pure laykes, / And here is kydde cortaysye, as I haf herd carp;”, the court is valiant and honored and that the courtesy he has heard about is on display (lines 261-263). This is the big reputation that Gawain is working to uphold throughout his entire adventure because he is a reflection on Arthur’s

Courtesy is displayed by Arthur waiting to eat after the rest of his knights do at the very beginning and after the Green Knight shows up, Arthur welcomes him into the castle, despite the oddity of it all. After this beheading game is proposed by the Green Knight, Gawain steps up and steps in place of King Arthur. Gawain says, “’I beseche now with sawes sene / This melly mot be myne.’” claiming the battle as his own (lines 341-342) and the noble court decides in agreement, “To ryd the king wyth croun, / And gif Gawan the game” (lines 364-365). Gawain taking place of the king and offering up his life is one of the most courteous actions that could be taken. Agreeing to the game is a show of respect and loyalty to King Arthur as well as agreeing for the Green Knight’s sake. Gawain is also placing his life over the Court, which shows his courage to lose his life and accept these terms. When arriving at Bertilak’s court, Gawain is treated with this same kind of courtesy, they immediately get him unsaddled, unarmed, and get him food. When Bertilak asks who he is, it is a discreet inquiry to be courteous to Gawain, “That he beknew cortaysly of the court…”, and after treating him to hospitality from his travels (line 903). When it is revealed who Gawain is, the court is honored to have such an honorable knight in their presence. They whisper about who Gawain is, “Byfore alle men upon molde