The Choice between Common Courtesy and Virtue as seen through Sir Gawain (theme)

In JRR Tolkien’s translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the introduction to Sir Gawain contains some interesting thoughts. This introduction is taken from a radio broadcast Tolkien did in 1953. At one point  on the topic of Gawain, Tolkien says, “We see him at the crisis of action forced to distinguish in a scale of value the elements of his code, preserving his chastity, and his loyalty on the highest plane to his host; finally rejecting in fact (if not in empty words) absolute worldly ‘courtesy,’ that is, complete obedience to the will of the sovereign lady, rejecting it in favor of virtue.” In Tolkien’s mind, Gawain, a very flesh and blood character with very human weaknesses, shows the battle between being courteous versus being virtuous. And what is virtuous about Gawain? “The noblest knight of the highest order of Chivalry refuses adultery, places hatred of sin in the last resort above all other motives, and escapes from a temptation that attacks him in the guise of courtesy through grace obtained by prayer.” Gawain rejects sin, but blind to the reverse (which is good) at the time uses hatred of sin in order to reject it. Gawain concludes that although courtesy is a good thing, it can also be used to tempt people to do something severely wrong. He feels ashamed at the end of the story. Perhaps Tolkien’s analysis gets us closer to knowing why Gawain gives himself a lifelong penance.

Reflection:

What a fantastic theme! Couldn’t this also be applied today? Isn’t there a temptation to give into political or social correctness in place of seeking the higher good? Are we blinded sometimes by something that seems good because it’s the courteous thing to do?

Let’s make another connection:

One of the things that seemed to make “chivalry” seem like such a bad thing, especially in the 20th century, was the misuse of the concept in the Old South. Southern white gentleman claimed a code of chivalry as the reason (or excuse) for their elite status. Thus, they could own slaves; they could be racist; they could be sexist. However, it could be argued that the Old South version of chivalry was far different from Sir Gawain’s chivalry. What are some ways that the social environment of the Old South was different from Europe in the Middle Ages? What are some things that were the same? Why is important to know that there was no slavery and that women were allowed an education in Middle Ages Europe when discussing this point? Is it possible to confuse chivalry with “common” courtesy?

Multi-literacies for connections:

The Watsons Go to Birmingham–1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis (1995)

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (1936)

“Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King, Jr. (1963)

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass (1845)

See also lyrics from Heather Dale’s version by visiting youtube and compare/contrast with the poem.