Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Honors English 12

BACKGROUND One original manuscript exists Composed no later than 1400 (contemporary to Chaucer) Last of four poems written by presumably the same author- style, dialect, theme Pearl Purity Patience Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Provincial dialect indicates origin in the northwest Midlands of England, local allusions in the work support this theory Audience- clearly aristocracy

CHARACTERISTICS Typical of Middle English alliterative poems alliterative long lines following Old English metrical style repetition of the same consonant sound on at least two, often three, of the stressed syllables (bob and wheel) From the “Golden Age” of Camelot before Launcelot’s prominence- more works feature Gawain than Launcelot

MEDIEVAL ROMANCE- CHARACTERISTICS Opens at a feast (details of pageantry highlighted) challenge presented setting amidst feudal nobility, celebration of warrior society adventures of a young hero supernatural elements hero learns a moral lesson archetypical female temptress cyclical qualities of nature chivalric concept of courtly love

CHIVALRY AND COURTLY LOVE relationship between ideal hero: errant knight, and noble woman of his affection most supreme example of courtly love was for an unattainable woman, often the queen the knight’s love for this woman would be the inspiration for his achievement of braver deeds in her honor CODE OF CHIVALRY protection of the weak and fair elements of society by the loyal, self-sacrificing knight demonstrations of the knight’s fidelity to his court and king respect for other warriors and the rules of combat

ROMANCE OR ANTI-ROMANCE? 1400 time period- end of the romance genre Is the poet supporting chivalric/courtly love values? Or is he being dramatic and ironic in his portrayal of conventional romance elements? Is this a satire? SGATGN could very well be an expression of the author’s doubts about the values and social institution of the chivalric court. opens with darker side of British history- misery and distress very superlative description of Camelot decadence of feast exalted Guinevere, other women are in keeping with courtly love “standards” Arthur- young, boyish, restless, inexperienced, likely immature the Stranger- appears to be half-mocking the court initial silence demonstrates possible cowardice of Camelot cowardly description of court Gawain’s speech- perhaps too deferential? Arthur- lack of concern for Gawain’s mission- demonstration of Arthur’s immaturity

CELTIC CONNECTION Setting- Christmas/ New Year’s Celtic pagan beliefs- year is an importance cycle in both human and natural worlds strange time of year often affected by supernatural events or interactions new year often equaled celebration and revelry to welcome new year and release excess spiritual energy Green Knight unaccountable force of nature intrudes into the epitome of civilization, Camelot beheading game- ritual Pagan significance Green Knight’s indication of the following New Year’s day hints at importance of the cyclical year renewal/regeneration green color- dominant in nature

GAWAIN’S CHIVALRIC FAITH Gawain fully believes in the values of chivalry He never questions his “duty” to set off on his quest volunteers to take the Green Knight’s challenge keeps his “side of the bargain” as a nod to both chivalry and Christianity, the author clearly indicates that Gawain is guided and protected by his sense of morality Shield

WILL PIETY AND MORALITY SUSTAIN HIM? QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: Will his unerring moral sense be enough to protect him from these more disguised forces? Are Christian and chivalric perfection enough to make a man whole? The writer questions the above when societal values are pitted against human nature and the imperfection of society! Gawain seems too perfect and too idealistic to survive unscathed!

THE EDENIC METAPHOR COMMON ALLUSION Man was intended by God to be a perfect creature. Adam, the first man, initially lived in an untouched Paradise (the Garden of Eden), along with Eve, the first woman. Eve was tempted by Satan, became curious, and convinced Adam to eat the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. As punishment for the Original Sin, they were thrown from Paradise to the earth. THE FALL OF MAN

SYMBOLISM- THE SHIELD This is a symbol of both PHYSICAL protection and MORAL protection Faultless in his Five Senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste) In his Five Fingers he failed at no time (he is dexterous and able in combat) Faith in the Five Wounds Christ received on the cross (one in each limb and the spear wound in the abdomen) Five Joys the Virgin Mary had in Jesus (These are not listed in the poem, but are offered as background: Annunciation, Nativity, Resurrection, Ascension, and Assumption). The Hail Mary prayer is often associated with these five joys. And, finally, the Five Knightly Virtues (exact wording depends on translation) (a) free-giving (or generosity)- liberality (b) friendliness (or brotherhood)- lovingkindness (c) chastity (or purity)- continence (d) chivalry (or courtesy)- courtesy (e) piety (or compassion)- piety Morality protects him on the outside, but faith is his inner strength

SYMBOLISM- FIVE Bible- numerous references-The number 5 symbolizes God’s grace, goodness and favor toward humans and is mentioned 318 times in Scripture. Five is the number of grace, and multiplied by itself, which is 25, is 'grace upon grace' (John 1:16). The Ten Commandments contains two sets of 5 commandments. The first five commandments are related to treatment and relationship with God and the last five concern relationship with other humans. Pentateuch- Old Testament- five books of God’s law English Lover’s Knot Pythagorean Theorem (2+3) as one was not a number and was not odd. Man plus woman equaled five. Five Pillars of Islam

SYMBOLISM- THE TEMPTRESS Archetypical representation of the temptress- highly seductive. Gawain must use all of his virtue and willpower to resist the temptation. Highly sexualized encounter.

SYMBOLISM- THE GREEN SASH Symbolic of Gawain’s falling away from truth/ falling away from his perfect virtue If Pentangle equals truth, the girdle is the “untruth” in Gawain’s life Perhaps a symbol of Gawain’s humanness

MISOGYNY IN GAWAIN’S SPEECH The speech appears to likely be simply a frustrated outburst Highly contradictory to Gawain’s behavior throughout this work (and others) Several Biblical allusions

THE END… Gawain’s return to Camelot Treacherous journey home Upon arrival, Camelot celebrates Gawain still overwhelmed by his personal defeat Arthur’s insistence that all shall wear a green baldric- will this serve as a constant reminder of Gawain’s failure? Celebration highlights Arthur’s immaturity. HONY SOYT QUI MAL PENCE- Shame on him who thinks ill of it / Shame on him who thinks this evil- Hard to say if the author included this or not- still exists as the motto of the Order of the Garter (most senior order of British Chivalry, founded by Edward III in 13480.

MYTHIC STRUCTURE The first part (fitt) takes place within a royal court The second part (fitt) is a perilous journey outdoors which ends in another royal court The third part (fitt) alternates between the setting of the royal court and the perilous outdoors The final part (fitt) is again a journey outdoors that ends the original court, the court of King Arthur at Camelot _______________________________________________________________________ The hero takes the journey to right some previous wrong or restore balance to the natural order The symmetry of this poem in particular would suggest that the natural order has been restored, as the New Year shines brightly on Arthur’s court- fine and well, but consider it does mask the fact that Gawain’s individual sense of order has been uprooted