Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Sir Gawain  Nephew to King Arthur  One of the most famous knights of the Round Table  Characterized by the romancers as the sage and courteous Gawain.  Chaucer alludes in his “Squire’s Tale,” where the strange knight “salueth” all the court  Chaucer alludes in his “Squire’s Tale,” where the strange knight “salueth” all the court  Brothers were Agravain, Gaharet, and Gareth.  Appears in nearly all of the major Arthurian stories, medieval and modern, and plays a central role in many

The Text  Thought to have been composed in the mid to late fourteenth century.  Anonymous author is today called alternately "The Pearl Poet," after the poem Pearl in the same manuscript, or “The Gawain Poet”  Contains three other poems: Pearl, Cleanness, and Patience  Written in long alliterative lines with the rhyme scheme of ababa, in 101 stanzas

The Story  The Code of Chivalry  Laws of Courtly Love  Gawain is a noble knight who is the epitome of chivalry; he is loyal, honest and above all, courteous. Throughout the story, he is subjected to a number of tests of character, some known and some unknown– the reader sees the struggles he faces internally.

Examples of The Code of Chivalry  Thou shalt defend the Church.  Thou shalt repect all weaknesses, and shalt constitute thyself the defender of them.  Live to serve King and Country.  Live to defend Crown and Country and all it holds dear.  Live one's life so that it is worthy of respect and honor.  Live for freedom, justice and all that is good.  Never attack an unarmed foe.

Examples from The Laws of Courtly Love  Thou shalt avoid avarice like the deadly pestilence and shalt embrace its opposite.  Thou shalt keep thyself chaste for the sake of her whom thou lovest.  Boys do not love until they reach the age of maturity.  When one lover dies, a widowhood of two years is required of the survivor.  No one should be deprived of love without the very best of reasons.  No one can love unless he is propelled by the persuasion of love.

Summary  Camelot, around Christmas– 15 days of celebrating  Dinner– Green Knight storms in on a horse, carrying a battle-axe  Challenges Arthur’s men to a fight  Who accepts the challenge?

Your turn– what happens next?