1. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Background and Introduction

2. Background to the Poem  Written at the time of Chaucer, lost, rediscovered and published in 1839  Modern translation of a 14th century middle-English poem written in a northwest midlands dialect  Written at the time of Chaucer, lost, rediscovered and published in 1839  Modern translation of a 14th century middle-English poem written in a northwest midlands dialect

5. Background to the Poem  Retains some components of Anglo-Saxon alliterative verse  Primarily alliterative verse with some rhyming elements  Retains some components of Anglo-Saxon alliterative verse  Primarily alliterative verse with some rhyming elements

6. Characteristics of the Text  The bob and the wheel  A transition or pivot between the alliterative verse  A summary or counterpoint in rhyming verse  The bob and the wheel  A transition or pivot between the alliterative verse  A summary or counterpoint in rhyming verse  The bob is usually two syllables  The wheel has an abab rhyme And grace; Where war and feud and wonder Have ruled the realm a space, And after, bliss and blunder By turns have run their race.

7. Background to the Poem  Unknown poet referred to as the “Pearl Poet”  Only one hand-copied manuscript exists in the British Museum  Originally in the collection of Sir Robert Bruce Cotton (1570?-1631)  Unknown poet referred to as the “Pearl Poet”  Only one hand-copied manuscript exists in the British Museum  Originally in the collection of Sir Robert Bruce Cotton (1570?-1631)

8. Background to the Poem  One of several manuscripts found on shelves designated by the busts of ancient rulers  referred to as Cotton Vitellius A.xv.  One of several manuscripts found on shelves designated by the busts of ancient rulers  referred to as Cotton Vitellius A.xv.

9. Background to the Poem  These manuscripts attributed to the same poet include “Pearl” (Hawthorne’s inspiration), “Patience,” and “Divinity”  Poetic form consists of liberal alliteration  These manuscripts attributed to the same poet include “Pearl” (Hawthorne’s inspiration), “Patience,” and “Divinity”  Poetic form consists of liberal alliteration

10. Background to the Poem  The poem’s purpose is Christian  Landscape is pre-Christian  Evil and good are intimately related rather than opposed forces  The poem’s purpose is Christian  Landscape is pre-Christian  Evil and good are intimately related rather than opposed forces

11. Introduction – The Knight Errant  The quest = searching for the event that will test the true measure of his character  Gawain’s physical test is a precursor to his spiritual test  Gawain’s journey is to his shadow self to integrate the dark side into his full identity  The quest = searching for the event that will test the true measure of his character  Gawain’s physical test is a precursor to his spiritual test  Gawain’s journey is to his shadow self to integrate the dark side into his full identity

12. Introduction  Poem takes place during the Golden Age of Camelot  Concerns the tests of Sir Gawain: how he partly passes, partly fails  Poem takes place during the Golden Age of Camelot  Concerns the tests of Sir Gawain: how he partly passes, partly fails

13. Introduction  Of all Arthur’s knights, his nephew Sir Gawain was said to be the ideal of knightly courtesy: “Gawain the Good”

14. Introduction – The Plots  The Beheading Game  Temptation of the Lady  Exchange of Winnings  The Beheading Game  Temptation of the Lady  Exchange of Winnings

15. Characteristics of Medieval Romances  Opens at a feast  Involves a challenge  Tells adventures of a young hero  Involves supernatural elements  Opens at a feast  Involves a challenge  Tells adventures of a young hero  Involves supernatural elements  Teaches the hero a moral lesson  Woman is featured as a temptress  Showcases the cyclical qualities of nature