Female Characters Of The Middle Ages - 3293 Words

The lives of women in the Middle Ages were quite different from today. They were totally dominated by the male members of their family. Women were expected to obey their husband, father, brothers, and any other male members of the family. At a young age, noble women were sent away to study a range of subjects and skills, such as manners and etiquette. Marriage for love was a rare occurrence because they were frequently arranged so that both families would benefit (The Middle Ages Website). However, literature paints a different portrait of women in this time period. Medieval literature and poetry depict women as powerful figures, ultimately powering over men in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and killing the enemy in the Book of Judith. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Morgan le Fay and Lady Bertilak are the most important female characters. King Arthur s sister, Morgan le Fay, played an important role in arranging the entire game between Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Sir Gawa in is mesmerized with Morgan le Fay s beauty- the fair hues of her flesh, her face and her hair and her body and her bearing were beyond praise (David and Simpson, p.182, 943-944). Although he is a noble knight, he completely surrenders to her beauty and asks to be received as her servant as she so desires. Morgan le Fay played the role of God and had Sir Gawain at her fingertips. As the match between the two men approaches, Sir Gawain sets off to find the Green Chapel to fight with theShow MoreRelatedGender is a Fundamental Element of the Broadway Musical677 Words   |  3 PagesStarting in the golden age of 1950, a Broadway musicals critical judgement depended on how well the show’s elements were formally integrated. Meaning the outlook of the plot in relation to the music, lyrics and characterization of gender roles. Gender is a fundamental element of Broadway musical theatre, constitutional to the musical’s architecture. 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