English 1022E Lecture Notes - Mortal Sin, Pietas, Hubris
16 Nov 2011
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Tentate seductionas - consent to do something bad. fall from grace, into mortal sin. They hunt a deer, boar, and a fox. First two are noble animals, would be found on crests. One has positive associations, one has negative associations. Internal hunt: for sir gawain in the castle. If sir gawain falls for the lady, he violates the sin of lust and he violates the commandment of committing adultery. There won"t be a seduction because the consequences would be too bad. Gawain has to prove his worthiness and fitness. Sir gawain responds by praising the lady with good manners and humility. l. 1260, l. 1276: see how careful gawain is. You are bound to a better man . l. 1305: she kisses him, she has taken initiative. The deer was allegorical/emblamatic of caution, wariness. Deer are extremely difficult to hunt because theyre so skittish. Residue: we think of people as powerful as a lion, followers like a sheep etc.
