Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Reading Questions
When it comes time for the host to trade his winnings of boar-meat with Gawain, what does Gawain give him in exchange? What does the Host declare about the game and Sir Gawain?
Gawain gives him his gains which were kisses. He says that his gains will grow and grow.
What does Sir Gawain do after being cut by the Green Knight?
Gawain puts his helmet on, grabs his sword and shield, and demand for a fight.
How does Gawain react to the servant's suggestion?
Gawain thanked the servant.
What do the castle residents expect once they know it is Gawain? In other words, what is Gawain well-known for?
Gawain was known for prowess and purity, his noble skills, his life was the stuff of legend and love.
What are some of the decorations on his saddle?
Green beads/jewels with a gold background
What response does Sir Gawain give when the lady declares that he should teach her the "craft of true love" and "instruct" her a little while her husband is away?
He did not know much about true love and felt she knew more than he did, but he will do his best to serve her.
What religious undertaking does Gawain participate in before mounting his horse and riding away? Why is this important?
He goes to mass. In case he dies.
The woman comes out and plainly says that she wants Sir Gawain to sleep with her. It is clear that Gawain knows giving in would be a sin and a violation of his hot's good hospitality. Why doesn't he simply refuse and tell her to leave?
He is acting the way he was raised, it didn't allow him to be rude to a lady.
The lady comments on Sir Gawain's reputation and claims she hasn't yet seen any sign of his special skills. For what, according to her, is Sir Gawain particularly famous?
He is famous for being courteous and considerate in his service.
When the poet describes the strange intruder, what is the first trait he notices as unusual about this weird knight?
He is huge and green
What arguments does Gawain finally use in asking to be given the challenge?
He is the weakest of the warriors and don't have much wit (smarts)
What, according to the Green Knight, did Sir Gawain lack? Why doesn't the Green Knight blame or judge Gawain harshly for that failure?
He lacked loyalty. Gawain loved his on life.
Gawain asks permission to play the game instead, and he asks permission to get up and leave the table, and he asks permission to stand by the king (if such an action does not displease Gwenevere). What do these requests and his diction reveal about Gawain's character?
He respects the king.
How is Sir Gawain's attitude toward his performance different that the attitude of both Sir Bercilak and the court at Camelot?
He was ashamed by his performance. Sir Bercilak was happy he almost accomplished his loyalty test. The court was rejoicing that Sir Gawain made it back alive.
How is Gawain received in the castle?
He was welcomed and brought in to be honored, and he is allowed to stay as long as he wants.
What special item is Sir Gawain wearing when he goes out to confront the Green Knight?
He wears a green silk girdle and red weaves.
The poet lists some of the things the knight is not carrying or wearing. What are these items? Why might the narrator think it odd that the knight doesn't carry or wear these things?
Helmet, shoes, armour, shield. It seems like he is not ready.
What is the Green Knight's real name?
His real name is Bertilak de Hautdesert.
When Arthur is first introduced, how is he described?
Honorable, good man, waited for everyone to be served to eat, kind
What response does the lady give Sir Gawain when he protests that it would be rude for him to presume to kiss such a beautiful lady?
If someone tried to stop him from kissing them, he was strong enough to kiss them anyway.
How does the court react to Sir Gawain's decision to leave?
It was sounds of sadness and sorrow.
Whose picture appears on the inside of Gawain's shield?
Mary
What mythical female figure, according to the Green Knight, dwells in the castle?
Morgan le Fay
Does Gawain meet the terms of this oath?
No, because Gawain did not tell the Green Knight about the gift of the girdle he got from his wife.
What reason does the Green Knight offer for not wanting to fight with the men he sees on the banquet benches?
People who sit on the benches never lose a fight, and he is the weakest of the knights.
What gift does the lady first offer Sir Gawain as a love token? Why doesn't he accept that item?
She offers him a ring of rich, red gold. Gawain didn't accept it, because he had nothing to give, so he didn't want to gain anything.
What is the second gift the lady next offers Sir Gawain? According to the lady, what magical powers does this item have?
She offers him her girdle. It had power to keep you safe against anyone who wants to strike you.
When Sir Gawain asks permission to get up and put on some clothes, what is the lady's response to her "prisoner's" request?
She tells him no and to stay in his bed, and she will tuck in his covers from corner to corner, then playful parley/talk with the man she has pinned.
After the host's wife laughs and bids Gawain good morning, she chastises him for being a "slack sleeper." What does she say she will do to him if he does not make a truce and surrender to her?
She will bind him to his bed.
How do all the guests initially react to his outrageous demand?
Shocked and quiet
How does Sir Gawain react when the Green Knight gets ready to swing the axe the first time? What does the Green Knight have to say about that reaction?
Sir Gawain flinches the first time. He tells him he is not Gawain, because he flinched in fear.
Who sent the wife to seduce Gawain, according to the Green Knight?
The Green Knight send the wife to Gawain.
What prize will one of King Arthur's knights win if he agrees to play the game with the Green Knight (and lives)?
The Green Knight's axe.
Why do you suppose the poem begins with a reference to Troy? (What did the 14-century British people mistakenly believe about their ancestors?)
The author is foreshadowing a story about war and love by mentioning the Battle of Troy.
What "counsel" does the lady claim to want from Sir Gawain?
The counsel of kissing.
What arrangements does the lord propose for Gawain and himself for the next day?
The must trade their winnings at the end of the day.
Why does the lady say her guest cannot possibly be Sir Gawain? i.e., what does she claim the "real" Sir Gawain would have claimed from a beautiful woman by the end of his tale or his speech?
The real Gawain could not be with a beautiful lady for a long time without wanting to kiss her.
The servant assigned to guide Sir Gawain to the Green Chapel gives Gawain some unsolicited advice. He suggests that since the Green Chapel is so perilous, and since the Green Knight is so dangerous, Gawain should do what? What does the servant promise he will do if Sir Gawain takes his advice?
The servant told Gawain to let the man go. He promises that Gawain's secret is safe and not a soul will know that Gawain fled in fear from the fellow he described.
What season of the year is it as the actual story begins?
The story takes place in the Christmas season.
List the 5 signs of the pentangle
1. He was flawless in his five senses 2. His five fingers were never at fault 3. His faith was founded in the five wounds Christ received on the cross 4. Fortitude he found in the five joys which Mary had conceived in her son, our Savior 5. Friendship and fraternity with fellow men
What exactly is the Green Knight's challenge to King Arthur's court?
A knight would hit the Green Knight with an axe and he would hit them back a year and a day later.
After the host receives Sir Gawain's "winnings" for the day, he asks Sir Gawain a question. What is it he wants to know? What answer does Sir Gawain give him to this question?
By what wit/smarts Gawain won it, and when and where. Gawain told him that wasn't their pact and to not pry.
Why are all the knights gathered in this location?
Celebrating Christmas
What does the pentangle stand for?
Each line overlaps and links with the last, so it is ever eternal. A symbol that Soloman once set in place and a token of fidelity.
What are some of the amusements the court participates in as part of the celebration?
Eating, drinking, storytelling, reminiscing on their battles.
What appears on the outside of his shield?
Five-pointed star or pentangle on a red background
Why is the number five important or significant, according to the narrator?
There were a fifth set of 5 which the knights followed which included friendship, fraternity, purity, politeness, and pity.
What does Sir Gawain want to know about the Green Knight before he strikes the blow? What does his question reveal about Sir Gawain's understanding of the Green Knight's powers?
Where he will be, where he lives, what is his name. He is a mystery to him.
