1. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight 12 th grade

2. So what kind of story is this?  It’s a ROMANCE (but not like the movie The Notebook or Sweet Home Alabama).  MEDIEVAL ROMANCE:  Idealized or larger-than-life characters  A hero who faces a challenge or test  Exotic settings and supernatural or magical events  Hidden or mistaken identity

3. 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

4. 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)

5. 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.

6. Other Characters…  Lord and Lady of the castle where Gawain stays for Christmas (The lady tries to seduce Gawain every day he is there.)  Queen Guinevere: Arthur’s wife and queen

8. What’s the story?  Arthur and his noble knights are feasting during the new year holidays in Camelot.  A big green stranger with a big green horse and axe shows up  Arthur welcomes him to the party  Green knight proposes a challenge:  Since he’s heard about the bravery and chivalry of Arthur’s men, he challenges them to strike him with his axe, to be repaid with a strike in one year’s time.

9. What’s the story? Part 2  All the knights are stunned by the proposal  Arthur accepts (kind of begrudgingly)  Sir Gawain steps up, reasoning that Arthur is too important to play this game, in case it’s a trick.  Sir Gawain grabs the axe, and cuts off the Green Knight’s head.  Green Knight tells Gawain to come find him in one year at the Green Chapel, and picks up his head and leaves.

10. What’s the story? Part 3  At the end of the year, Gawain keeps his word and sets off for the Green Chapel  Travel-worn and weary, He stops at a castle to rest.  Lord of the castle welcomes him, but strikes a deal:  Each day the lord will go hunting, and exchange his catch for whatever Gaiwain finds around the castle.

11. What’s the story? Part 4  Day 1 – Lord goes out to hunt, Lady (lord’s wife) attempts to seduce Gaiwain, but only gets a kiss. Lord returns with venison, Gaiwain kisses him and takes it.  Day 2 – Same thing, Lady kisses Gaiwain twice. Gaiwain gives lord two kisses for boar meat.  Day 3 – Same thing, but Lady kisses Gaiwain 3 times, and gives him a green sash that protects the wearer from death. Gaiwain kisses the lord 3 times, but lies about the sash.

12. What’s the story? Part 5  Wearing the sash, Gaiwain finds the Green Knight.  Gaiwain is nervous, jumpy, reflexively fearful  Green Knight pretends to strike him with the axe twice, then nicks Gaiwain on the third strike.  Green Knight didn’t kill Gaiwain with the first two swings because he acted chivalrously and resisted temptation from the lady of the castle.  The Green Knight nicked Gaiwain the third time for lying about the sash.  Gaiwain is disgraced by his fear and cowardice.