1. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Morte d’Arthur
Medieval Romance
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Morte d’Arthur

2. Focus Standard: Determining Theme
EQ: How are elements of medieval literature evident in “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight?”
Know: I will know the elements of chivalry in medieval lit.
Show: I will show my understanding by identifying elements of medieval lit in “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.”

3. Page 168-169 1. Define medieval romance. 2. Define legend.
3. Legends that relate to King Arthur and his knights feature what three elements?
4. How did chivalry and feudalism reinforce each other?
5. What type of work is Sir Gawain?
6. What is the basic plot?
7. Who wrote Sir Gawain and what is the stylistic device used in his poetry?

4. Characteristics of Courtly Behavior
Respect the king. Do nothing to bring him dishonor.
Respect women. Do nothing to bring dishonor to any woman.
Protect the poor and the weak.
Honor God as a faithful Christian.

5. Feudalism and chivalry
Feudalism is based on a code of conduct called chivalry.
Many of the characters you are about to read about observe a code of honorable behavior called chivalry.
Feudalism was a system both of government and of land ownership. In exchange for a nobleman's oath of loyalty, a king would give him lands.
As you read, note the passages that reveal the kind of behavior that chivalry requires

6. Code of Chivalry
1.Fellowship: friendly association with those who share interests
2. Purity: free of sin, guilt, and evil thoughts; innocence
3. Courtesy: being polite in attitude and behavior to others
4. Compassion: sympathy and concern for others’ misfortunes
5.Generosity: Being kind and giving to others
Loyalty, honesty

7. So what kind of story is this?
It’s a ROMANCE (but not like the movie The Notebook or Sweet Home Alabama).
ROMANCE:
a narrative set in a world of pure wish fulfillment
superhuman heroes fight and almost always conquer the forces of evil
the hero undertakes a hard journey in search of something valuable (a quest…remember that?)

8. Romances
Romances are narratives that tell of strange, sometimes supernatural events in exotic settings.
Medieval romances are adventure stories with kings, knights, and damsels in distress.
They include:
Vivid descriptions,
plot twists,
accounts of the reactions and motives of characters

9. legend
A legend is an anonymous traditional story about the past that may have been inspired by real events and people.
Legends, like these relating to King Arthur and his knights, often feature the following:
Heroic figures and memorable deeds
Quests, or searches for something important; contests; and tests
Patterns such as things repeated three times

10. Sir Gawain and the green knight
A medieval poem in alliterative verse by an unknown poet
Sir Gawain
Loyal knight
King Arthur’s nephew
Is tested by the green knight in three challenges
Shapes an enduring vision of personal integrity

11. Legend: Journey = Quest
In medieval poetry, the epic hero’s journey to battle (like Achilles’ voyage to Troy or Beowulf’s to Dane-land) becomes a quest.
A quest is “an adventurous expedition in search of something spiritually fulfilling or self-enhancing.”

12. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight as epic poetry
Review: Characteristics of the Epic Hero
1. He is a model of faith, loyalty, or bravery…
2. who makes a long, difficult journey…
3. to do battle on behalf of another…
4. perhaps using his own superhuman talents…
5. against an enemy who may himself have or be guarded by supernatural powers.

13. Main Characters… King Arthur (ever heard of him?):
Legendary king of Britain
Husband of Guinevere
Uncle of Gawain
Over the famous Knights of the Round Table at Camelot
Brave, courageous, chivalrous

14. Main Characters… Sir Gawain:
Arthur’s nephew and one of the most loyal, brave knights
Follows the chivalrous code (humility, piety, integrity, loyalty, honesty)
Courtly lover
One flaw: loves his life so much that he will lie to protect it (obviously breaking the code)

15. Main Characters… The Green Knight: Yes…he is a green man.
Huge guy with big muscles/carries a huge axe
Says he comes in friendship but proposes that someone step forward to play the “beheading game.”
Expects the knights to be courageous and step forward to play.

16. King author background
King Arthur - The Legend

17. Literary skill: summarizing
Briefly restating a text’s main ideas and relevant details.
Read lines 1-10 and write a one sentence summary.
Page 172
A knight on a horse rides into a crowded hall, looking for the leader of the group.

18. Reading check: Page
1. What are the three main points of the Green Knight’s speech in lines 34-51?
2. What aspect of medieval romances does the Green Knight’s appearance illustrate?
3. How does the Green Knight challenge Arthur’s court?

19. Page
1. What are the three main points of the Green Knight’s speech in lines 34-51?
The Green Knight has heard great reports of King Arthur and his Knights, he comes in peace, and he would enter into a contest with King Arthur.
2. What aspect of medieval romances does the Green Knight’s appearance illustrate?
The description combines realistic and supernatural elements.

20. 3. How does the Green Knight challenge Arthur’s court?
The Green Knight says that he has heard King Arthur and his knights are the bravest and the best. He says he will allow Arthur to strike him with an ax, provided that in a year and a day, Arthur will allow the Green Knight to strike him one blow with the same weapon.

21. Page 174-175 1. Summarize lines 95-112.
2. How does King Arthur feel about the Green Knight’s challenge? What is Arthur’s motivation? How does the Green knight react?
3. Read Gawain’s description of himself in lines In what ways does this illustration of Gawain contrast with those lines?
4. How are Gawain’s words in lines and the court’s decision consistent with the ideals of chivalry?
5. What does Gawain do to the Green Knight?

22. Page
1. Summarize lines
King Arthur tells the Green Knight that he is wrong about the knights in his court. Then he takes the Green Knight’s ax and gets ready to hit him. The Green Knight climbs off his horse and calmly waits.
2. How does King Arthur feel about the Green Knight’s challenge? What is Arthur’s motivation? How does the Green knight react?
King Arthur is angered by the Green Knight’s words. He is motivated to prove that he and his knights are brave. The Green Knight is calm and undaunted.
3. Read Gawain’s description of himself in lines In what ways does this illustration of Gawain contrast with those lines?
The picture shows that Gawain is strong, good-looking, and even smart, but he says that he is weak, feeble of wit, and his body is barren of worth. The picture depicts a Gawain who is the very opposite of the man whom he describes.

23. Pages
4. How are Gawain’s words in lines and the court’s decision consistent with the ideals of chivalry?
Gawain’s words reflect the ideal qualities of humility, loyalty to the king, courage, and courtesy. The court’s decision reflects the ideals of loyalty to the king and being true to one’s word in that King Arthur must be formally released from his word before he can step down.
5. What does Gawain do to the Green Knight?
Gawain chops off the Green Knight’s head.

24. Pages
1. How would you summarize the event described in lines ?
2. What two characteristics of a medieval romance are reflected in lines ?
3. Identify the main points in lines of Arthur’s reaction to the Green Knight.
4. What happens after Gawain chops off the Green Knight’s head?

25. Pages
1. How would you summarize the event described in lines ?
The Green Knight bows his head and bares his neck. Gawain picks up the ax and deals a sharp blow, cutting off the Green Knight’s head. The head rolls across the floor. To everyone’s surprise, the knight reaches out with one arm, grabs the head, and mounts his horse. 4. What happens after Gawain chops off the Green Knight’s head?After Gawain chops off the Green Knight’s head, the knight gathers his head and mounts his horse. He then reminds Gawain that he must find him in a year, reveals that he is the Knight of the Green Chapel, and gallops off.
2. What two characteristics of a medieval romance are reflected in lines ?
Sir Gawain’s honor is being put to the test. The dramatic language and supernatural actions are also characteristics of medieval romance.

26. Pages
3. Identify the main points in lines of Arthur’s reaction to the Green Knight.
Arthur was uneasy about the whole event, but held his true feelings in check. He then urged all to dance, eat, and watch the entertainment.

27. Pages
1. Examine this illustration of Gawain’s journey through the wilderness. Why might Gawain be tempted to stay in the castle and give up his quest?
Gawain might be tempted to stay at the castle because he might feel safe in the castle and insecure in the frightening wilderness.
2. In what way does Gawain’s speech in lines add a dimension to the story that might not have been present in the original legend?
There is more imagery and alliteration here than would normally be found in the telling of an adventure tale. The bleakness of the place reflects the bleakness of Gawain’s feelings and situation. The alliteration is a tool used throughout this poem to make it memorable and entertaining.
3. What is the Green Knight doing when Gawain arrives at the Green Chapel?
The Green Knight is grinding, or sharpening, his ax in preparation for dealing Gawain a blow.

28. Pages
1. In what ways does this illustration of the Green Knight compare or contrast with your mental image of him?
Some students might mention that the illustration paints a much more attractive image of the Green Knight than what they had imagined.
2. How do Gawain’s actions in lines reflect or depart from the ideals of knighthood?
The ideals are shown in Gawain’s baring his neck for the blow and in his promise not to flinch the second time. He departs from them when he winces.
3. Summarize what happens after the Green Knight’s third stroke with the ax.
The third stroke leaves only a scratch on Gawain’s neck.

29. Pages
1. In view of what has happened, how might Gawain feel when he remembers this image of the Green Knight’s wife?
Gawain might feel guilty and ashamed of himself when he remembers the image of the Green Knight’s wife.
2. What theme of medieval romance is suggested in lines ?
In these lines we see the medieval theme of honor.
3. How would you summarize Sir Gawain’s response to the Green Knight in lines ?
Gawain admits to his failure to live up to his end of the pledge. He is angry with himself and ashamed, and asks for forgiveness.

30. Critical reading page 183
1. (a) How do Arthur’s knights first respond to the Green Knight’s challenge?
The knights are at first silent with astonishment.
(b) Why does the Green Knight laugh at their response?
The Green Knight laughs because the reaction of Arthur’s knights does not live up to their reputation.
2. (a) What does Gawain offer to do?
Gawain offers to take Arthur’s place in the contest.
(b) How does he make his offer seem humble, not boastful?
He makes the offer seem humble by playing down his strength and skills.

31. Critical reading page 183
3. (a) In lines , how does Sir Gawain react when he considers his own actions?
Gawain is upset at himself for being false, greedy, cowardly, and disloyal to his code.
(b) What has Sir Gawain learned from his second encounter with the Green Knight?
He may have learned that it is always best to keep your word and act honorably, no matter what fears you may have.
4. Using the example of Sir Gawain, explain whether it is more important to achieve goals or to learn from mistakes.
It is more important to learn from one’s mistakes because…
It is more important to achieve goals because…

32. Analysis
Symbolism
The Beheading Game is a traditional plot element in early medieval romances
Many believe that the ritual beheadings were originally related to crops
Beheading seedpods is one way of ensuring strong plant growth for the next year
-The situation to behead Sir Gawain –learned from his mistakes which made him stronger

33. Elements of medieval romance
Description
Heroic Figures/Memorable Deeds
Line #
Quest/Adventure
Patterns
Vivid Description
Plot Twist
Reaction and Motives of Characters

34. Times when sir Gawain was chivalrous

35. Times when Gawain was not chivalrous

36. symbolism Beheading game: The color green: The pentangle:
The green girdle:
The three hunts:
The three blows: