Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by The Pearl Poet

Background Author unknown but assumed to be the same author who wrote The Pearl Time period is the British Middle Ages ( ) in King Arthur’s Court A medieval romance poem in alliterative style Focus is on games, which are tests, of the chivalrous but flawed hero “The Beheading Game” and “The Temptation Game”

The Middle Ages “Far from their dour reputation, the Middle Ages were a period of massive social change, burgeoning nationalism, international conflict, terrible natural disaster, climate change, rebellion, resistance and renaissance” (James). This is a strong link on King Arthur’s court: asp

Sir Gawain Main Characters  Arthur: King of Camelot  Sir Gawain: Representative, not elect  Green Knight: Ambiguous nature Green body-supernatural Green and gold equipment - courtly youth Holly bob - life and peace Axe-war

Sir Gawain The Game  Governed by rules  Tests important knightly virtues  Involves seemingly inevitable death

Sir Gawain Code of Chivalry  Possess faith in God and Christian values  Loyal to people, principles, and promises  Without deceit  Upright and Virtuous

Sir Gawain The Five Virtues  Generosity  Companionableness  Courtesy  Pure mind  Compassion

Essential Questions  What kind of hero is Sir G. by the poem’s end?  What is his quest?  What is the role of chivalry in the poem?  What is the view of women in the poem? What is their role?  What elements of this alliterative poem support its themes?  What are those themes?  What role does communion play in the poem?  How do you make sense of all the religious symbols in the poem?  How does this poem add to the body of literature on moral temptation?

Suggestions for Annotations Christian symbols Colors Seasons Biblical allusions Use of language, including devices Characterization Conflicts Elements of the games