Questions of "The Tale of Sir Gareth of Orkeney Who Was Called Beaumains by Sir Kay"

Who exhibits more nobility, Beaumains or Sir Kay?

• I think that Beaumains exhibits far more nobility than Sir Kay. Sir Kay is the night and is supposed to exemplify chivalry, honor, and be an ideal figure in medieval society; however, he is rude and churlish to Beaumains. The true identity of Beaumains is not known to anyone except for Lancelot at the end of this exerpt; yet Beaumains does not act haughty or present himself as if he is above anyone. Beaumains appears to be a humble type of character.

What other character in the story shares Sir Kay's opinion of Beaumains, and what characters disagree with this negative opinion. 

• Another character in the story that shares Sir Kay's negative opinion of Beaumains is the damsel, whose name is Lyonet. She says things like "fie on thee, shall I have but one that is your kitchen knave?" And also, "What dost thou here? Thou stinketh all of the kitchen; thy clothes be bawdy of the grease and tallow. What weenest thou, that I will allow thee for yonder knight that thou killed? Nay, truly, for thou slewest him unhappily and cowardly. Therefore turn again, thou bawdy kitchen knave! I know thee well, for Sir Kay named thee Beaumains. What are thou but a lusk and a turner of broaches, and a ladle washer?" The characters that disagree with this negative opinion are Sir Gawain and Sir Lancelot. One part said "Thereat was Sir Gawain wroth. And in especial Sir Lancelot bade Sir Kay leave his mocking, 'for I dare lay my head he shall prove a man of great worship.'" Sir Gawain and Sir Lancelot also reminded Sir Kay about a good knight named Brunor that Sir Kay had called him La Cote Male Tayle, which he came to regret later.

How does the disparity of opinions help support the story's premise concerning the true nature of gentility?

• The disparity of opinions shows the prejudice that people have towards others who are not born of a high class (or in this case not known to be born of a high class). The opinions held by these characters are only opinions and not based on any facts. True gentility does not always come to those who are born of a higher class. Sir Kay was a noble yet he is less than chivalrous with his actions. While Beaumains is actually born of nobility, we do not know that in the beginning of the excerpt and as a commoner he shows far more gentility than does Sir Kay.