Zimmermann
En
2322
Sir Gawain
and The Green knight
Some
Notes
Pearl
Manuscript, Pearl Poet
- Parchment
containing four poems: Pearl,
Patience, Purity, and Sir Gawain
- Sir Gawain and
the Green Knight may be an allegory, a religious allegory.
- @1400
It
fits many of the characteristics of a Medieval Romance.
- Written in the
venacular.
- Glittering idealized
chivalric background.
- This backdrop
though is subtly critiqued in the description of Arthur's court. The goal of the Green Knight seems
to be to reveal the hypocrisy of the court. Perhaps, the poem is a satire of
courtly love. Satire:
a work or manner that blends a censorious attitude with humor and wit
for improving an institution or humanity
or a custom (Harmon).
- Courtly love
in decline. Courtly love peaks in France and Germany from 1150-1250.
- A trial of courage
- Gawain expects
a trial of courage; he is, instead, confronted with a trial of morality.
The game is a bait and switch.
Chivalry is being tested.
- Attempted seduction
of a knight by an enchantress.
- The lady of the
castle is clearly attempting to seduce him; however, her appeals to courtly
love mark her as a lady of distinction.
- Marvelous and
supernatural
- The Green Knight
looks like a fertility god; he can lose his head and continue on.
Cleanliness:
free from taint of sinful love
- What is the nature
of Gawain's
sinful love?
The
poem is cyclic; it returns to the beginning.
Quiz
Instructions
The events
in Gawain's
bedroom are echoed by the three hunts.
Each of the days represents a different threat; the prey of the Lord
parallels the threat. Include all of the necessary information (line numbers
when appropriate).
The Offer
- Find the quote
in which the lord sets forth the rules of the game.
- Summarize the
rules.
The First Hunt
- What is the
quarry of the first hunt?
- How does it respond
to the pursuit?
- How it is
brought down?
- On the first morning
in the castle, what is Gawain's
response to the lady's appearance in
his room?
- What is the lady's purpose?
- Find a quote
which states this purpose.
- How does Gawain
respond?
The Second Hunt
- What is the
quarry of the second hunt?
- How does it
respond to the pursuit?
- How it is
brought down?
- On the second
morning in the castle, what is Gawain's
response to the lady's appearance in
his room?
- What is the lady's line of attack?
- Find a quote
which illustrates this approach.
- What is Gawain's defense?
The Third Hunt
- What is the
quarry of the first hunt?
- How does it
respond to the pursuit?
- How it is
brought down?
- On the third morning
in the castle, what is Gawain's
response to the lady's appearance in
his room?
- What is the lady's line of attack?
- Find a quote
which states this purpose.
- What is Gawain's response?
- When does he
give in?
Quiz: The Green Chapel
Find
a quote for each of the following events. Notice: Gawain can be cut; he does bleed.
- The Green Knight's first feint.
- Gawain's response.
- The Knight's reply.
- The Green knight's second feint.
- Gawain's response.
- The Green Knight's cutting blow.
- Gawain's response.
- The Green Knight's reply.