Sir Gawain Vocabulary 1. Adjure (v.) request solemnly 2. Entreated (v.) made an earnest appeal; pleaded 3. Peril (n.) exposure to harm or injury 4. Interred (v.) buried in the earth 5. Marvel (v.) to become filled with astonishment + wonder; be in awe

Sir Gawain Vocabulary 6. Hermit (n.) person living alone away from society 7. Accorded (v.) granted; given what is due or appropriate 8. barren (adj.) not producing offspring; infertile 9. willful (adj.) deliberate; said or done on purpose; obstinate 10. dismayed (v.) caused to lose enthusiasm; upset and disillusioned

Literary Analysis Romances: narratives that tell of strange, supernatural events in exotic settings Medieval romances: adventure stories w/ kings, knights + damsels (young woman/girl usually of noble birth) in distress These are based on legends of King Arthur Feature: Heroic figures + memorable deeds Quests/searches for something important Patterns of 3

Romance Language Gawain: verse romance Romance comes from one of Romance language related to Latin tongue: Italian, Spanish, French + Portuguese Came to be associated with tales of chivalry: Arthurian tales Rise of feudal system—upper class---leisure---adventure bc of choice not survival

Feudalism System of gov + land ownership Exchange for nobleman’s oath of loyalty a king would give him lands Nobleman rules lands: judging legal cause, imposing taxes + maintain an army: powers granted by king Code of Chivalry: code of conduct Feudal ideals of honor developed by nobles Code demanded that knights be brave warriors + virtuous Christian who would selflessly fight for justice Led to legends + songs such as King Arthur

Chivalry Video

History of Sir Gawain Mid to late 14 th century + 1 st published in 1839 Anonymous author: know little about Called the “The Pearl Poet” after the poem Pearl Also wrote 2 other poems: Cleanness + Patience Written in North or West Midlands dialect: challenging Written in long alliterative lines Posses lyrical beauty + flowing artistry