The Problematic Nature of Courtesy in Middle English Literature

Scholarly Paper (Advanced Seminar) aus dem Jahr 2002 im Fachbereich Anglistik - Literatur, einseitig bedruckt, Note: 2,0 (B), Westfalische Wilhelms-Universitat Munster (English Seminar), Veranstaltung: Middle English Courtesy Books, 11 Eintragungen im Literaturverzeichnis, Sprache: Englisch, Abstract: Ever since people felt the necessity to practice some forms of self-control and mutual help among the members of its society, ever since forms of decorum and comeliness became important for their daily social contact, forms of courtesy arose and greatly influenced its feudal society. 1 The following assignment will examine the much-celebrated Middle English epic Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (SGGK) in view of its problematic nature of courtesy.

But, before showing how the same courtesy Gawain was renown for finally turned against him, I will shortly expound the tradition of courtesy books and courtesy poems, in which SGGK is deeply rooted.