In the fourteenth century, chivalry was in decline due to drastic social and economic changes. Although feudalism-along with chivalry-would eventually fall for other reasons, including a decrease in cheap human resources due to a drop in population caused by plague epidemics and the emergence of a mercantile middle class, the Gawain author perceived a loss of religious values as the cause of its decline. Gawain and the Green Knight presents both a support of the old feudal hierarchies and an implicit criticism of changes by recalling chivalry in its idealized state in the court of King....

Number Of Words: 2179

Number Of Pages: 8

Join today and get unlimited access to our vast database of student-written essays and term papers. This paper along with over 45,000 other papers are available in our member's area right now. Full instant access is just seconds away! Membership Options Price 1 month  subscription $18.95 recurring        3 months subscription $34.95 recurring        6 months subscription $59.95 non-recurring