Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Origins Northern England Arthurian legend

Subject Tells of a challenge to the pride and integrity of Arthur’s entire court, especially Sir Gawain, the most famous of all Arthur’s knights for piety and courtesy Gawain is made to acknowledge the limitations and imperfections of his knightly virtues

Medieval Romance 1. Opens at a feast

2. Involves a challenge

3. Tells of the adventures of a young hero

4. Involves supernatural elements

5. Teaches a moral lesson – Gawain is tested in two ways: A. A frightful physical challenge B. A challenge of comfort He is tested in adversity and prosperity

6. Includes a woman as temptation

7. Shows the cyclical qualities of nature

Setting Chaotic wilderness – symbolizes Gawain’s courage bleak winter (shows Gawain’s hopelessness in pursuing his task)

Symbols Green Chapel – the entrance to the fairy world (Celtic) This image is associated with hell

Pentangle -the star represents truth – this is Gawain’s symbol Creates irony as he has trouble telling the truth

Green girdle – at first represents dishonesty and then later his repentance

Style Strophes: each strophe ends with a bob, a short line of one, two, or three syllables, followed by a wheel, or four rhymed lines Alliteration Four beats per line