Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Quotes

"There hurtles in at the hall-door an unknown rider, one of the greatest on ground in growth of his frame: From broad neck to buttocks so bulky and thick, And his loins and his legs so long and so great, Half a giant on earth I hold him to be, But believe him no less than the largest of men, And the seemliest in his stature to see, as he rides, For in back and in breast though his body was grim, His waist in its width was worthily small, And formed with ever feature in fair accord was he. Great wonder grew in hall At his hue most strange to see, For man and gear and all were green as green could be" (136-150). "Gawain was glad to begin those games in hall, But if the end be harsher, hold it no wonder, For although men are merry in mind after much drink, A year passes apace, and proves ever new: First things and final conform but seldom" (495-499). "For these were proud princes, most prosperous of old, Past all lovers lucky, that languished under heaven, bemused. And one and all fell prey To women they had used; If I be led astry, Methinks I may be excused" (2422-2428).

Author

Anonymous (referred to as the Gawain-poet or the Pearl Poet)

Plot Structure

Exposition: party at King Arthur's Complication: Gawain accepts Green Knight's covenant and chops his head off. The Green Knight survives and Gawain has to decide whether his knightly virtues or his life is more important. Rising Action: Two months before Gawain is supposed to meet the Green Knight, he sets out through the wilderness and stumbles upon a castle. At the castle, his courtesy, chastity, and honesty are all tempted. Gawain the journeys to the Green Knight at the Green Chapel. Climax: Gawain encounters the Green Knight at the Green Chapel. After feinting with his axe twice, the Green Knight strikes Gawain on the third swing, but only nicks his neck. Falling Action: Green Knight reveals that he is Bercilak and that Morgan Le Fay, the old woman, is behind everything. Conclusion: Gawain admits his breach of contract in having kept the green girdle and promises to wear it as a banner of his weakness.

Syntax and writing style

Free verse then short (4 lined) poem This writing is distinct because there is no other piece like it.

Irony

It is ironic that the Green Knight lives after his head is chopped off. The Green Knight is also Bercilak. Bercilak's wife is trying to get in bed with Gawain when she is already married (and her husband knows about it).

Point of View

Mainly from Gawain's POV. However, sometimes narrates moment that happen outside the scope of Gawain's direct experience (host's daily hunts).

Symbols

Pentangle: five pointed star on Gawain's shield where the points overlap. Symbol of truth. Symbolizes virtues to which Gawain aspires. The Green Girdle: host's wife claims is possesses the power to keep its wearer from harm, but it really has no magical powers. Gawain wears it as a badge of his sinfulness.

Motifs

Seasons: The changing of seasons in parts 2 and 4 resemble the change of Gawain's psychological state at the same time. Games: everything in the story is considered a game when it is really a test. (The host's hunt, Bercilak's wife insisting on Gawain to commit adultery, and Gawain chopping off the Green Knight's head.)

Characters

Sir Gawain: protagonist, most loyal knight to the Round Table Green Knight: goes to Camelot and challenges Gawain Bercilak of Hautdesert: lord of the castle that Gawain stays at, Green Knight Bercilak's Wife: temptress, seduces Gawain, give Gawain green girdle Morgan Le Fay: old woman at the castle, has controlled the poem's entire action from beginning to end King Arthur: King of Camelot Queen Guinevere: Arthur's wife, objectified presence at the Round Table Gringolet: Gawain's horse

Tone

The narrator's tone toward Gawain's story hovers between straightforward praise and irony-tinged ambivalence narrator's tone towards reader: ambiguous overall: fairy-tale like, fantastical

Themes

The nature of chivalry The letter of the law

Rhetorical Devices

allitteration, bob and wheel

Imagery

describing the bedroom scenes (between Gawain and Bercilak's wife) and hunting scenes (specifically how the hunters kill and clean the animals).

Relevant Historical Context

greatest Arthurian legend

Setting

place: Camelot, the wilderness, Bercilak's castle, the Green Chapel

Atmosphere

suspenseful, magical

Dates associated with the work

written in 1375