The Stereotypes Of Sir Gawain

I found Richard Moll’s argument about the beheading being due to the stereotyping that Gawain was a “hotheaded martial nationalist” more compelling than Victoria Weiss’ argument that it was due to “lack of concern for human life.” I do not agree with Weiss’ argument because I believe Gawain does have more respect for human life than Weiss states in her writing, and Richard Mott’s opinion about the stereotype of Gawain withstands throughout the poem. The decision made by the Gawain poet to describe Gawain in such a way, sets the character up to follow that description throughout the rest of the poem. When the character follows the stereotype it allows the reader to have more strict notions about what will happen, which also helps the reader
discover the poet's true meaning.