1. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Medieval Romance and the Hero’s Journey

2. Historical Background (pg. 168)
Written by an unknown author
Arthurian legend
Beheading is a ritual death
Celebrate the return of spring and the growth of new crops

3. Literary Forms (pg. 169) Medieval Romance Feudal ideal of chivalry
Adventure, love, and the supernatural
Typically feature kings, knights, & damsels in distress

4. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
pages

5. 8 Stages of the Hero’s Journey
Separation (from the known)
The Call
The Threshold
Initiation and Transformation
The Challenges
The Abyss
The Transformation
The Revelation
The Atonement
The Return (to the know world)
The Return (with a gift)

6. Separation The Call The Threshold
The Hero is called to adventure by some event or messenger. The Hero may accept or refuse the call.
The Threshold
The contrast between the familiar world of light and the dark, unknown world of adventure

7. Initiation and Transformation
The Road of Trials (Challenges)
The Hero must undergo a series of tests. Each successful test further proves the hero’s ability and advances the journey toward its climax
The Abyss
The Hero faces his greatest challenge which he must face alone

8. Initiation and Transformation
The Transformation and Revelation
The Hero overcomes his fears and his transformation is complete. Part of the Hero must die so that a new part can be born.
The Atonement
The Hero is fully reborn and becomes “at-one” with his new self.

9. The Return
The Hero again crosses the threshold and returns to the everyday world. The hero comes back from this adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man.
Boon: blessing, gift

11. Sir Gawain and the Hero’s Journey Activity
“Whether the hero happens to gain a princess (or prince), a kingdom, a healing medicine, a talisman, or some other reward appears immaterial. He actually earns self-integration, balance, wisdom, and spiritual health. In every case…the phantasmagorical adventures of the hero symbolize inner development.”
Alexander Elliot
The Universal Myths