Sir Gawain & the Green Knight

By: Anonymous or “The Pearl Poet”Sir Gawain & the Green Knight

The author is considered anonymous, or a nickname of “The Pearl Poet.” (He apparently also wrote a poem called The Pearl.)

He was certainly English and spoke and wrote in Middle English.

This poet is sometimes referred to as the “Gawain Poet.”

Written in the Middle Ages late 14th century.

The Mystery Behind The Author

Sir Gawain was part of an old tradition of stories about Arthur, the legendary British King.

Arthur and his wife, Guinevere entertained the knights of the Round Table in the city of Camelot.

Sir Gawain, one of these knights, was also Arthur’s nephew.

Gawain as a Part of Tradition

Arthurian legends even last to today! ◦Disney’s The Sword in the Stone◦Broadway’s Camelot, & Spamalot◦Movies: First Knight, Monty Python’s Holy Grail, Kid

in King Arthur’s Court, etc

King Arthur & Pop Culture

The Knights of the Round Table were the most famous for this behavior in the Middle Ages.

What does this mean?!◦ men were brave◦ had honor◦ showed gallantry (courteous behavior)

towards women ◦ Christian values in warfare (rules of

engagement because “the enemy is my brother”)

◦ courtesy to all people◦ Being a gentleman◦ willing to sacrifice yourself for your lord and

ladies

The Code of Chivalry

We will explore more about chivalry later!

Major Theme Alert!

This is the love a knight has for a woman who is generally not his wife.

It is a love from “afar” and is usually very superficial.

It is often explained, for example, with a knight who is struck by cupid’s arrow as he sees a beautiful maiden walking out of a castle.

This kind of love is also generally unattainable (at most, the knight may get a kiss, but that is all). Often the maiden is married to the King (e.g., Arthur & Guinevere and then Lancelot comes into the picture).

Creates a situation where the knight seeks to impress the lady by doing brave deeds and being the perfect gentleman (showing great chivalry).

Courtly Love

Medieval romances or adventures were written in episodes or sections.

All of the stories are woven together and the details have purpose.

Sir Gawain’s story has two episodes.Christian themes & Pagan (magical) elements present.The Hero is tested:

◦ Gawain’s trouthe (his real character) is repeatedly tested in this as well as his loyalty: to Arthur and to the chivalric code.

Elements of a Legend

It’s a ROMANCE (but not like the movie The Notebook).

ROMANCE: ◦a narrative set in a world of pure

wish fulfillment ◦superhuman heroes fight and

almost always conquer the forces of evil

◦Wizardry/Sorcery/ Fairy Tale Enchantments

◦the hero undertakes a hard journey in search of something valuable (a quest…remember that?)

SO What Kind of Story is This?!?!?

King Arthur◦Legendary King of Britain◦Husband of Guinevere◦Uncle of Gawain◦Rules over the famous Knights

of the Round Table at Camelot◦Brave, courageous, chivalrous

Main Character Break Down!

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)

Main Character Break Down!

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.

Main Character Break Down!

Queen Guinevere: Arthur’s wife and queen

Lord and Lady of the castle where Gawain stays for Christmas (Hint: The lady tries to seduce Gawain every day he is there.)

Minor Characters to Know!

New Year's Eve feast @ King Arthur's court.A strange figure, referred to only as the Green Knight,

pays the court an unexpected visit. He challenges the group's leader or any other brave soul

to a game:◦The Green Knight will allow whomever accepts the

challenge to strike him with his own axe, on the condition that the challenger find him in exactly one year to receive a blow in return.

Let’s Set Up The Story!