1. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Background Information

2. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
author is anonymous- sometimes referred to as “The Pearl Poet”
Written late 14th-century in Middle English
important in literature because it represents all of the following significant poetic genres:
Arthurian romance poetry/courtly love poetry
Medieval alliterative poetry
Epic poetry

3. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight in Middle English
Wel gay watz þis gome gered in grene, And þe here of his hed of his hors swete. Fayre fannand fax vmbefoldes his schulderes; A much berd as a busk ouer his brest henges, Þat wyth his hi3lich here þat of his hed reches Watz euesed al vmbetorne abof his elbowes, Þat half his armes þer-vnder were halched in þe wyse Of a kyngez capados þat closes his swyre; Þe mane of þat mayn hors much to hit lyke, Wel cresped and cemmed, wyth knottes ful mony Folden in wyth fildore aboute þe fayre grene, Ay a herle of þe here, an oþer of golde; Þe tayl and his toppyng twynnen of a sute, And bounden boþe wyth a bande of a bry3t grene, Dubbed wyth ful dere stonez, as þe dok lasted, Syþen þrawen wyth a þwong a þwarle knot alofte, Þer mony bellez ful bry3t of brende golde rungen. Such a fole vpon folde, ne freke þat hym rydes, Watz neuer sene in þat sale wyth sy3t er þat tyme, with y3e. He loked as layt so ly3t, So sayd al þat hym sy3e; Hit semed as no mon my3t Vnder his dynttez dry3e.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight in Middle English

4. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight as Arthurian Legend
There is no solid evidence for/against the reign of a historic “King Arthur”
Some historians suggest Arthur was a Roman military leader who held power anywhere from 3rd to 7th century A.D. (Artorius = “plowman”)
Arthur is more important for the legends that developed around him and his “Knights of the Round Table”
A statue of King Arthur from around 1400 AD
image from:

5. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight as epic poetry
Review: Characteristics of the Epic Poem
1. An epic poem is a long, narrative poem…
2. that recounts the deeds and adventures of its main character – the epic hero.

6. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight as Arthurian romance/Courtly love poetry
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is one of the better-known Arthurian legends and highlights the importance of honor and chivalry.
It is an important poem in the medieval romantic genre, which typically involves a hero who goes on a quest that tests his prowess.
It is around the legendary King Arthur that the chivalric tradition of the Middle Ages developed.

7. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight as Arthurian romance/courtly love poetry, cont.
Chivalry – from the French word cheval or “horse” – refers to the code of behavior that was expected of knights (all noblemen). This tradition was also called courtesie, meaning “the behavior of the court.”
Assignment: As we read SGGK, highlight all behavior on the part of any character in the poem that conforms to the medieval regard for chivalry.

8. Arthurian Legend and Chivalry
Chivalric Ideal: The Knights of the Round Table were
the most famous for this behavior in the Middle Ages.
The classic definition of chivalry:
men were brave, had honor, and
showed gallantry towards women;
Christian values in warfare (rules of
engagement because “the enemy is
my brother”); courtesy to all people is key—being a gentleman in all situations is important; willing to sacrifice yourself for your lord and ladies (for the weak).

10. Arthurian Legend Courtly Love Courtly Love: the love a knight
has for a woman who is generally
not his wife. It is a love from “afar”
and it is usually very superficial
(it is often explained, for example,
with a knight who is struck by
cupid’s arrow as he sees a beautiful
maiden walking out of a castle.)

11. Arthurian Legend Courtly Love
Courtly Love is also generally unattainable (at most, the knight may get a kiss, but that is all). Often the maiden is married to the King (e.g., Arthur & Guinevere and then Lancelot comes into the picture).
Courtly Love creates a situation where the knight seeks to impress the lady from afar by doing brave deeds and being the perfect gentleman (showing great chivalry).

12. Setting up the story…

13. Main Characters… King Arthur: Legendary king of Britain
Husband of Guinevere
Uncle of Gawain
Over the famous Knights of the Round Table at Camelot
Brave, courageous, chivalrous

14. Main Characters… Sir Gawain:
Arthur’s nephew and one of the most loyal, brave knights
Follows the chivalrous code (humility, piety, integrity, loyalty, honesty)
Courtly lover
One flaw: loves his life so much that he will lie to protect it (obviously breaking the code)

15. Main Characters… The Green Knight: Yes…he is a green man.
Huge guy with big muscles/carries a huge axe
Says he comes in friendship but proposes that someone step forward to play the “beheading game.”
Expects the knights to be courageous and step forward to play.

16. Other Characters…
Lord and Lady of the castle where Gawain stays for Christmas (The lady tries to seduce Gawain every day he is there.)
Queen Guinevere: Arthur’s wife and queen

17. Major theme… Chivalry:
The world of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is governed by well-defined codes of behavior. The code of chivalry, in particular, shapes the values and actions of Sir Gawain and other characters in the poem. The ideals of chivalry come from the Christian concept of morality.