Male Dominance In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

The Middle Ages is a period best characterized with the feudal system¬-vassals serve their feudal lords in exchange for land. While the men fight for land and wealth, the women manage the manor. A chivalrous knight in shining armor is the image that comes to mind when one thinks of the Medieval ages regardless of the fact that women upheld the Manor System. Women of the Medieval Era were never seen; they often worked behind the scenes while the men were praised. In the romance Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, The Gawain-poet seamlessly shifts the poem from a male-dominated story to a female-orchestrated narrative over the course of a minimal bob-and-wheel; In doing so, the poet comically criticizes the norm by making men appear to be pawns

in a woman's game.
Noblewomen of the middle ages were not meant to be heard despite the fact that they maintained the household and community. Women rarely held apparent roles in the church, but the roles they occupied, such as fundraising, were crucial to the church’s prosperity (“Religious” 1). Women’s pastoral duties were not confined to inside the walls of the church. Even though mothers were not the caretakers of their children, they ensured their children’s morality and taught them Christian values and essential manners (“Medieval” 2). Medieval women’s tasks extended into other people’s roles. In the event of her husband’s absence, noblewomen had to supervise all aspects of the manor in addition to her own duties (“Medieval” 1). Women of the middle ages perform tasks essential to the abundance of their communities, yet all of their work is overlooked.
Throughout the romance, the Gawain-poet constructs the poem to appear as a narrative about instrumental men bedecked with ornamental women. When the Green Knight proposes the “Beheading Game” to King Arthur, Sir Gawain volunteers in his stead only if Guenevere “misliked it not” (Sir Gawain 1.366). Without Guenevere’s consent, Arthur calls upon Gawain, “and gives him God’s blessing” (Sir Gawain 1.170). In this one scene, Arthur demonstrates, perhaps inadvertently, how insignificant Guenevere’s opinions are to him. This supports the concept that women were not meant to be heard in the Middle Ages. Upon arriving at Lord Bertilak’s castle, Gawain observes Lady Bertilak and arrives at the conclusion that she “[excels] the queen herself” (Sir Gawain 2.945). Gawain quickly concludes that Lady Bertilak “excels” Queen Guenevere solely based on the fact that the latter is more attractive. Lady Bertilak could be the vilest woman, but that does not matter; only her outward appearance does. Gawain treating Lady Bertilak and Guenevere as “fetishized objects” (Heng 3) reinforces the notion that only Medieval women’s outward appearance mattered.
To contrast the male dominance, in the final book, the Gawain-poet alters the story to one that is solely controlled by women while the men grapple for control.

While Lord Bertilak, who is the Green Knight, explains the ploy to Gawain, he claims that “it was all [his] scheme,” but he soon after contradicts himself by adding that “she made a trial” (Sir Gawain 4.2361,2) of Gawain. Lord Bertilak’s explanation of the ruse makes it appear as if he acted of his own volition. However, the Gawain-poet reveals Morgan Le Fey’s dominant role in the narrative while Lord Bertilak attempts to assert his dominance. This further supports the argument that Medieval women’s roles are overlooked by those of their male counterparts. The Green Knight pardons Gawain’s shortcomings and claims that Gawain is “polished as a pearl” (Sir Gawain 4.2393) even though Gawain’s faults are not his to forgive. His casual gift of mercy is meant to overlook Morgan’s role as the moderator of the “Beheading Game” (Heng 9). This once again validates the claim that men, often times unwittingly, make light of women’s efforts in the Middle

Ages.
The poet comically criticizes the current norm by making men appear to pawns or accessories in a woman’s game.

Throughout the poem, it is suggested that the women’s main roles are to “serve the masculine narrative” (Heng 3). Before Morgan Le Fey’s introduction to the story, one would not thoroughly examine the purpose of any of the women – The Virgin Mary, Guenevere, and Lady Bertilak – not in relation to their male correspondent. After understanding that Morgan’s motive for the “Beheading Game” is to target Guenevere, one could argue that the men are used to serve the feminine narrative. over the course of the play, the reader can oftentimes find himself questioning certain aspects of the story. In the most puzzling part of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight “[appears] the sedimentations of feminine desire” (Heng 3). As the Green Knight explains the hoax to Sir Gawain, one might question the Green Knight’s motive or desire to target King Arthur. At the mention of Morgan Le Fey, the story comes full circle, giving the reader complete insight. After the scheme is revealed to Sir Gawain he goes on an antifeminist diatribe. In the attempt to defend himself, Gawain “attributes all responsibility and power to women” (Heng 3). In his monologue, Gawain cites multiple men whose lives “were ruined by [women’s] wiles” (Sir Gawain 4.2420). Gawain’s pursuit to advocate for his actions asserts that time and time again women dominate male narratives. The Gawain-poet draws attention to

women’s power with the melodramatic criticism of their character.