Intro notes for Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

The manuscript: One story out of four in a single manuscript Pearl, Patience, and Cleanness are the others Composed in the late 1300s around Chaucer’s time most likely written by a priest or a monk Not as well known as The Canterbury Tales found referenced in many other texts Original manuscript was “lost” in the 1600s in a fire Found in 1839 among other manuscripts story gains its fame in scholarship Now kept in the British Museum

The predominant characters: Sir Gawain – youngest of Arthur’s knights King Arthur – Sir Gawain’s uncle Queen Guenevere – wife of Arthur The Green Knight – Gawain’s challenger Lord Bercilak – assist’s Gawain toward the end of his quest Lady Bercilak – wife of Bercilak

The story: Medieval Romance – quest to test a person Different dialect of Middle English than Canterbury Tales - more poetic and great use of alliteration Challenge of Sir Gawain’s knightly qualities Gawain’s symbol on his shield - pentangle

Symbolism: five wounds of Christ His side Right hand Left hand Right foot Left foot

Symbolism: five joys of the Virgin Mary Annunciation Assumption Nativity Ascension Resurrection

Symbolism: five virtues of knighthood generosity piety fidelity chivalry chastity

Generosity – giving nature, kindness Fidelity – brotherly love, loyalty, truthfulness Chastity – purity, integrity Chivalry – honor, courtesy, valor Piety – holiness, dignity, humility

Setting of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Snowdonia in North Wales

Beaumaris Castle in Anglesey in Wales

Caernarfon Castle in Wales

Possible site of Bercilak’s castle in Wales

This is one possibility for the Green Chapel…

This is a close up of the previous picture…

St. Seirol’s Well… another possibility

The most likely candidate for the Green Chapel