This post is in response to the comments at the end of class regarding Gawain's tirade on "womanly wiles" by using examples from the Bible. I agree that this speech feels out of place. Throughout the poem, Gawain acts respectfully toward women—at least toward the woman he encounters—and it is not a stretch to imagine him as an advocate for equality. However, this image is dashed at the end when he presents as a truth that, in general, women are less trustworthy, following the tradition of Eve.
For me, because this speech feels out of place, I try to think about the author’s intent with assigning these assertions to Gawain. Overall, this poem has a strong Christian undertone. From the beginning it is clear that one of Gawain’s greatest virtues is that he is a good Christian. He has the image of Mary printed on the inside of his shield. He tries to follow in Jesus Christ’s footsteps by sacrificing himself for the whole. He prays constantly. This is why when Gawain talks about women using Biblical references, I get the feeling that it is the author’s attempt to drive home the relationship between mortality and spirituality. As we discussed in class, Gawain does pretty well for himself under the circumstances. However, he still blames himself for his one misstep of accepting the girdle because, he says, “For mon may hyden his harme, bot unhap ne may hit” (line 2511). I feel that he is concerned because even though he has done a good job as the mortal that he is, his soul, the part that will eventually ascend to heaven (hopefully), might be smeared. A misdeed can never be erased because it follows the eternal soul; after Gawain sheds his mortal body, he will have to face the immortal judgment.
It is interesting to compare Gawain’s strength in keeping his life and in essence respecting his temple, to his will in keeping his Christian soul clean. It is almost as if the more he wants to live and take care of his body, the less his morals can be kept. Personally, I feel that the way he acts could be the only way to come out of this situation with the least amount of injury in both respects.
Also, it might be significant that this whole ordeal starts as a Christmas game, and also ends at Christmas—the holiday that celebrates the birth of Christ.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I agree with the way you characterize Gawain as sort of walking a fine line between self-preservation and moral uprightness, or between preserving his life or preserving his soul. I think you're right that it's hard to imagine any other path he could have taken that would have not done more harm to one or both.
Concurring with Usha's comments, I would add that this is at the heart of orthodox Christianity in whatever form it appears. Paradoxically, Jesus' teachings called his followers to deny themselves and follow him, and in so doing change the world. It's no wonder that at moments Gawain, or the Gawain-poet, seems to be so heavenly-minded he's of no earthly good, and at other moments he's so results-oriented he seems to have almost totally forgotten his creed.
Post a Comment