Sir Gawain and the Green Knight ( ) More than a Sword in a Stone Humility, Piety, Integrity, Loyalty, Honesty

Who is Gawain? Gawain is Arthur’s nephew Exemplar of courtesy and chivalry Never portrayed as Christian – unlike the other knights of his time Alienated from the other knights

The Green Knight – Hero of Ecology Eastern origins –Green is the color of Islam Connection to the Pagan god, Odin Has regenerative qualities – like a plant Influenced Robin Hood The Green Man appears in gardens and other vegetation

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and the Ideals of Knighthood Physical ideals: Strength Skill at arms Horsemanship Non-physical ideals: Courage Humility Courtesy Loyalty Gawain tries to be loyal to Arthur, to Bertilak, and to his own word. His failure is in loyalty to his word.

Sir Gawain and Courtly Love Elevated women Object of love was to be worshipped from afar as an ideal Only noble people were worthy of love Poem seems to condemn courtly love Lady visits Gawain in his bedroom

The Poem Alliterative Poem ARTHURian Romance Written by clerk or town official 14 th Century (same time but not same place as Chaucer - Canterbury Tales) Middle English Four sections called “fitts” – 2500 lines

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight NOT EPIC Hero fighting for spiritual ideals Not fighting for people against a monster or other threat. Chivalric/Arthurian Hero NOT an Epic Hero like Beowulf

Gawain as flawed hero Gawain is flawed Green Knight says Gawain lacks loyalty

Synopsis – 2500 lines on 2 slides Starts on Christmas Eve at the court of King Arthur Gawain accepts a challenge from The Green Knight Chop off his head, then seek the GK out in one year, then the GK will behead him Gawain does it The next year, Gawain sets off to find the GK. After surviving many perils, he comes to stay with Bertilak and his wife – hospitable Lady Bertilak tries to seduce Gawain but he refuses She offers him a sash that will make the wearer invulnerable to weapons Gawain accepts hoping to protect himself from the GK

Synopsis The next day he sets off to find the GK and he appears 1 st blow of the ax – Gawain flinches and the GK complains 2 nd blow of the ax – The GK praises Gawain for not flinching – Gawain complains and wants him to finish 3 rd blow of the ax – Nicks Gawain’s neck, but does not decapitate The GK explains that he is Bertilak The first two checked blows were for the honorable behavior shown by Gawain in refusing to be seduced by Lady Bertilak The nick was for dishonorably taking the sash Gawain wishes to return the sash, but Bertilak insists that he keep it. Gawain says that he will wear it as a token of his shame. When he returns home everyone is delighted by the story They follow his example and wear green baldrics in honor of Gawain