Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
What is the Green Knight carrying in his hands?
* A very ornate and huge axe * holly bob
What things scare or chase Gawain in his journey?
* Bears * Serpents * Giants * Wolves * People
How does the poet describe King Arthur?
* Courteous * Famous * Well-known
Why does the poet describe Gawain's equipment and clothing in such extravagant and hyperbolic detail?
* Gawain's mission and he himself are important * He comes from a strong and wealthy kingdom * He is a successful and good night * What resources he has if he could use them to fight
How are King Arthur and Sir Gawain related?
* King Arthur is Sir Gawain's Uncle * Sir Gawain is King Arthur's nephew
What does the outside symbol on Gawain's shield stand for? What especially does the fifth star point mean?
* The pentangle represents truth/honesty * The fifth point represents the 5 knightly virtues - Chastity - Charity - Friendship - Piety - Courtesy
How does King Arthur respond to the Green Knight?
* stay for dinner * eat with them and tell a little about himself
How long before Sir Gawain and the Green Knight will meet again?
1 year and 1 day
List the 3 animals that are hunted in order of how they are hunted
1. Deer 2. Boar 3. Fox
List three things Sir Gawain does when he gets up in the morning
1. Gets dressed 2. Puts his armor on 3. Gets his horse ready to go
In lines 136-231, the poet introduces the Green Knight. What is most stunning about him?
1. Size- he looks like a giant 2. Color - he is entirely green, his skin, hair, clothes, even his horse is green 3. Dress - He is very ornately dressed which signifies wealth and security * His axe - It's huge and very fancy 4. He is handsome
What does the Green Knight propose to King Arthur?
A hitting game
Name the type of animal Sir Reynard is, and list what color he is
Animal: Fox Color: Red
What even does Gawain fear he will miss?
Christmas (specifically Christmas mass)
What season of the year is it when the actual story begins?
Christmastime - 15 days from Christmas to New Years'
How does Sir Gawain convince King Arthur to let him be the one to accept the Knight's challenge? What qualities does his thus show?
Gawain says that he is the worst knight out of all of the knights * he is dumb and not worthy It shows his humility
Explain Gawain's response to his guide's offer
Gawain thanks the guide for his kindness and his offer but declines
Where is the Green Knight from?
Green Chapel
Name the primary technique that the "lady" uses to persuade Gawain to love her
Guilt
How does the lord of the castle respond?
He is polite, but not overwhelmingly interested in meeting him
How is Gawain received in the Castle?
He is treated very nicely, like a celebrity
How does the mood around Camelot change early in Part Two?
It changes from festive to somber
List the item given to Sir Gawain, and list the item's color.
Item: Girdle/belt Color: Green with gold embroidery
Why will King Arthur not eat his dinner? What is he waiting for?
King Arthur is waiting for something marvelous to happen or to hear a really good story
Provide the name of the Green Knight
Lord Bertilak de Hautdesert
List the day and month when Part 4 begins
Month: January Day: 1
Provide the name of the "old Lady" of the castle, and explain her connection to King Arthur and Sir Gawain. Explain her motivation for creating this quest.
Name: Morgan le Fay Connection to King Arthur: Half-sister to King Arthur Connection to Sir Gawain: Half-aunt to Sir Gawain Motivation: Hates Queen Guinevere and wants to test Arthur's knights
What appears on the outside of Gawain's shield?
Pentangle (AKA 5 pointed star)
Who is King Arthur's Queen?
Queen Guenevere
Explain how Gawain's guide tempts him. What does the guide offer?
The guide tells Gawain that he can back out and run away if he wants. The guide will keep the secret.
Speculate on the symbolic significance of the two ladies - one old and faded, the other "fresh as the first snow"
The represent memento morie or the spectrum of life and death
What are Arthur and his subjects' reactions after Gawain strikes the Green Knight?
They are celebratory and not worried
What deal does the host strike with Gawain? Of what does this remind you of from part one?
They play a hunting game, this is very similar to the hitting game
Sir Gawain begins with a stanza about the rise of nations (1-36). Why might the poet have placed King Arthur in line with the founders of the ancient civilizations?
To show how amazing and powerful and good King Arthur is and his kingmanship.
To whom or what does Gawain appeal to grant him his wish of going to Christmas Mass?
Virgin Mary
What appears on the inside of Gawain's shield?
Virgin Mary