Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Authorship for SGGK is typically considered anonymous Christian values Wrote in Middle English Author called “Pearl Poet” “Pearl Poet” or the “Gawain Poet” This poet seems to have been a follower of Chaucer. He seems to have a knowledge of Christian theology and a deep vocabulary and poetic sense. There is still no agreement, however, on the authorship of SGGK.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Time Period Medieval (Middle Ages) ca. 476 A.D. – 1453 A.D. The Middle Ages stretches the period “between” Millennium-long period Spans all of Europe--includes “adventure narratives” “High” Middle Ages The Middle Ages is a millennium-long period that spans all of Europe in terms of culture. Gawain and the Green Knight would fit into the “high” Middle Ages.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Adventure Narratives of the Middle Ages Adventure narratives came from three “matters:” The Matter of Rome The Matter of France The Matter of Britain

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Adventure Narratives of the Middle Ages The Matter of Rome: stories of ancient Roman heroes exciting adventure (physical or involving love) “Romance”

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Adventure Narratives of the Middle Ages The Matter of France: stories of the French hero Roland Orlando in Italian

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Adventure Narratives of the Middle Ages The Matter of Britain: stories involving chivalry King Arthur The Knights of the Round Table (Camelot) Arthurian Legend

The Arthurian Legend – The Past and Present Developed in the ancient world With the Celts, who would make up Britain First introduced into the literary world by Geoffrey of Monmouth’s History of the Kings of Britain (ca. 1139)

The Arthurian Legend – The Past and Present Roman de Brut by Layamon Excalibur (famous sword) French author Chretien de Troyes Lancelot The English Knight Sir Thomas Malory codified the Arthur legends Arthurian Legend

The Arthurian Legend – The Past and Present Arthurian Legend Today The Matter of Britain in pop culture today: (Disney’s The Sword in the Stone, Broadway’s Camelot, First Knight, and in satire, Monty Python’s Holy Grail)

Arthurian Legend and Chivalry The classic definition of chivalry: men were brave & had honor gallantry towards women Christian values in warfare (“the enemy is my brother”) a good lover courtesy to all people a gentleman in all situations willing to sacrifice yourself for your lord and ladies (for the weak) Chivalric Ideal: The Knights of the Round Table were the most famous for this behavior in the Middle Ages.

Arthurian Legend Courtly Love Forbidden Love Love from “afar” Superficial “Struck by cupid’s arrow” Unattainable (only a kiss) Seeks to impress maiden by: brave deeds chivalry Maiden married to the King e.g. Lancelot, Guinevere and King Arthur

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Elements of the Legends and This Story Medieval Romance Episodic Carefully constructed Details matter Gawain is repeatedly tested: his trouthe (his real character) his loyalty: to Arthur and to the chivalric code

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Elements of the Legends and This Story Gawain’s trouthe true character symbolized by the star (pentangle) on his shield Christian themes are major themes in the story Both the poet and knights are Christian The poet doesn’t always agree with the chivalric code Pagan Celtic themes dealing with nature “magical” elements

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Characteristics of a Medieval Romance Idealized or larger-than-life characters A hero who faces a challenge or test Exotic setting & supernatural and magical elements Hidden or mistaken identity