Journal of Taibah University the first issue

4
Haitham Abdulaziz Saab
religious devotion. For instance, one noticeable feature of
Epithalamion is Spenser’s fascination with physical beauty, following
the traditional Petrarchan way, which would have been viewed by
medieval writers as totally unholy. We will comment on the major
difference between the medieval and Renaissance cultures in regards
to physical beauty in our reference of Spenser’s visual images in his
poem. Medieval philosophy was not completely challenged, however,
given that ideological influences were not unexpectedly supplanted by
worldly or secular notions in Christian Europe. The most important
aspect of humanistic tendencies in Renaissance Literature is the rereading
of Classical Latin and Greek Literature. This new classical
learning can be found in various references to Classical mythology
and literature in popular poetic genres, like the sonnet and the ode. 4
This paper focuses on two major differences of special
significance, between Sir Gawain and Epithalamion. The first is the
use of classical, mythological allusions, which essentially point to
major changes in the successive literary periods. The second is
religious ideals and themes, as manifested in the two poems for
distinct purposes. The discussion of religion in the two works has
also to involve some commentary of allegorical associations and
Christian symbols. The treatment of Classicism marks one significant
aspect in which Sir Gawain and Epithalamion display the gradual
ideological shift from the world of the Middle Ages to the
Renaissance. The two poems considerably vary in the number of
times Classical mythology is employed. While the Gawain-poet
scarcely uses two classical allusions, Spenser fills his Epithalamion
with numerous mythological deities and figures. However, each poet
manages to utilize his use of mythology to fit his own structural and
thematic purpose.
In his use of mythology the Gawain-poet heavily relies on
medieval notions of chivalric virtues of honor, nobility and exemplary
behavior. The beginning of Sir Gawain has a common classical
allusion, as the author opens this medieval romance with reference to
the Trojan legend, particularly the fall of Troy: “Since the siege and
the assault was ceased at Troy/ The walls breached and burnt down to
brands and ashes.” 5 The introduction describes significant elements of
the famous legend, such as the treachery of Aeneas and the founding
of Britain by Brutus. The reference to Britain would seem to a
modern reader as either to introduce the Arthurian setting of the poem,
or to hint at a national concern. However, when writing about King
Arthur’s court, the Gawain-poet employs his initial classical allusions
to function as inspiration to chivalric virtue and exemplary noble
deeds. By the same token, the poet does not fail to allude to the fall of