Day 13 – Sir Gawain Day 13 – Sir Gawain and the Green Knightand the Green Knight““The masterpiece of alliterative poetry.”The masterpiece of alliterative poetry.”““The finest Arthurian romance in English.”The finest Arthurian romance in English.”

Chaucer vs. the Pearl Chaucer vs. the Pearl Poet:Poet:

Do you get the feeling that the Pearl-Patience-Purity-Sir Gawain Do you get the feeling that the Pearl-Patience-Purity-Sir Gawain poet is writing at the same time as Chaucer?poet is writing at the same time as Chaucer?

In the same place as Chaucer?In the same place as Chaucer?

With the same language as Chaucer?With the same language as Chaucer?

Which of Chaucer’s tales is the most like Which of Chaucer’s tales is the most like Sir Gawain?Sir Gawain?

Why does the Poet start with the Trojan War? – What kind of Why does the Poet start with the Trojan War? – What kind of poem does that imply? What kind of structure? poem does that imply? What kind of structure?

What specific difference(s) do you see from Chaucer’s What specific difference(s) do you see from Chaucer’s Prologue Prologue and Talesand Tales??

This is an epic but it is This is an epic but it is also Chivalric romancealso Chivalric romance

According to M. H. Abrams Dictionary of Literary According to M. H. Abrams Dictionary of Literary Terms, Chivalric Romance has these features:Terms, Chivalric Romance has these features:

A courtly and chivalric age (not wartime) is the settingA courtly and chivalric age (not wartime) is the setting Highly developed manners and civilityHighly developed manners and civility Standard plot: quest by single knight to gain a lady’s Standard plot: quest by single knight to gain a lady’s

favorfavor Tournaments, dragons, monstersTournaments, dragons, monsters Chivalric ideals of courage, loyalty, honor, mercifulness Chivalric ideals of courage, loyalty, honor, mercifulness

to an opponent, and elaborate mannersto an opponent, and elaborate manners Wonders and marvels, including supernatural events Wonders and marvels, including supernatural events

(magic, spells, and enchantments)(magic, spells, and enchantments)

Analyze according to Analyze according to genregenre

Chivalric Romance – Do you see Chivalric Romance – Do you see Sir Gawain Sir Gawain as as entirely different fromentirely different from Beowulf Beowulf or does it have or does it have some similarities?some similarities?

Look at definitions of the two.Look at definitions of the two.

““Epic: long verse narrative on a serious subject, Epic: long verse narrative on a serious subject, told in a formal and elevated style, and told in a formal and elevated style, and centered on a heroic or quasi-divine figure on centered on a heroic or quasi-divine figure on whose actions depend a tribe, nation, or the whose actions depend a tribe, nation, or the human race” (Abrams)human race” (Abrams)

8 characteristics of epic8 characteristics of epic

M. H. Abrams: M. H. Abrams: A Glossary of Literary TermsA Glossary of Literary Terms Action involves superhuman deeds in battleAction involves superhuman deeds in battle Gods and other supernatural beings take a partGods and other supernatural beings take a part Poem itself is a ceremonial performancePoem itself is a ceremonial performance Narrator begins by stating his argument, Narrator begins by stating his argument,

invokes a muse, then addresses the epic invokes a muse, then addresses the epic questionquestion

Starts Starts in medias resin medias res Catalogues of principal charactersCatalogues of principal characters Setting is ample, and may be worldwideSetting is ample, and may be worldwide

Sir Gawain Sir Gawain is an actual is an actual bookbook

The text ofThe text of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Sir Gawain and the Green KnightTiny bookTiny book

Illuminated manuscript with 4 illustrationsIlluminated manuscript with 4 illustrations

Fitts – disagreement about how many sections Fitts – disagreement about how many sections there arethere are

Three illustrations Three illustrations

The BeheadingThe Beheading

The SeductionThe Seduction

What is this?What is this?

PoetryPoetry

Alliterative verse (“the alliterative revival”)Alliterative verse (“the alliterative revival”)

Bob (1 stress) and it rhymes (a b a b a b) with Bob (1 stress) and it rhymes (a b a b a b) with wheelwheel

Wheel (four rhymed lines of 3 stresses each)Wheel (four rhymed lines of 3 stresses each)

““The Pearl Poet”: Same poet as Pearl, The Pearl Poet”: Same poet as Pearl, Patience, Purity, writing in West Midlands at the Patience, Purity, writing in West Midlands at the same time as Chaucer, but not really in Middle same time as Chaucer, but not really in Middle English. He uses an antiquated style to make English. He uses an antiquated style to make his subject seem more serious and “higher.”his subject seem more serious and “higher.”

What can you see about Arthur and the knights What can you see about Arthur and the knights of the Round Table? of the Round Table?

What is the season of What is the season of the year for both parts?the year for both parts?

Why does Sir Gawain step forward and not somebody Why does Sir Gawain step forward and not somebody else, like Sir Lancelot?else, like Sir Lancelot?

Questions as you keep Questions as you keep readingreading

Which court is more real? Arthur’s or Haut Which court is more real? Arthur’s or Haut desert?desert?

What should Gawain do with the Lady?What should Gawain do with the Lady?

What is the meaning of green?What is the meaning of green?

What kind of king is Arthur?What kind of king is Arthur?

What do the animals mean?What do the animals mean?

Anti-French?Anti-French?

How you would do a New Historical view? How you would do a New Historical view?

Some argue that there is an anti-French Some argue that there is an anti-French theme represented by Arthur’s court. This is theme represented by Arthur’s court. This is due to the 100 Years War. So French poetry due to the 100 Years War. So French poetry and structure were thrust aside. This is one and structure were thrust aside. This is one argument for the alliterative revival – an argument for the alliterative revival – an endeavor to find literary independence from endeavor to find literary independence from France.France.

Values?Values?

What values do you see as significant to Sir What values do you see as significant to Sir Gawain?Gawain?

From what you know of the Round Table, From what you know of the Round Table, what values were most significant?what values were most significant?

PentanglePentangle

““The poem describes Gawain's armor in detail. He carries The poem describes Gawain's armor in detail. He carries a red shield that has a pentangle painted on its front. The a red shield that has a pentangle painted on its front. The pentangle is a token of truth. Each of the five points are pentangle is a token of truth. Each of the five points are linked and locked with the next, forming what is called the linked and locked with the next, forming what is called the endless knot. The pentangle is a symbol that Gawain is endless knot. The pentangle is a symbol that Gawain is faultless in his five senses, never found to fail in his five faultless in his five senses, never found to fail in his five fingers, faithful to the five wounds that Christ received on fingers, faithful to the five wounds that Christ received on the cross, strengthened by the five joys that the Virgin the cross, strengthened by the five joys that the Virgin Mary had in Jesus (The Annunciation, Nativity, Mary had in Jesus (The Annunciation, Nativity, Resurrection, Ascension, and Assumption), and possesses Resurrection, Ascension, and Assumption), and possesses brotherly love, pure mind and manners, and compassion brotherly love, pure mind and manners, and compassion most precious. The inside of the shield is adorned with an most precious. The inside of the shield is adorned with an image of the Virgin Mary to make sure that Gawain never image of the Virgin Mary to make sure that Gawain never loses heart.” (Sir Gawain Room)loses heart.” (Sir Gawain Room)

Dark Ages?Dark Ages?

Sir Gawain and the Canterbury Tales were Sir Gawain and the Canterbury Tales were written at a time of transition. The Gawain/ written at a time of transition. The Gawain/ Pearl poet looks backwards to courtly love but Pearl poet looks backwards to courtly love but Chaucer looks forward to the Renaissance and Chaucer looks forward to the Renaissance and humanism.humanism.

Neither book (unlike Dante’s Neither book (unlike Dante’s Divine ComedyDivine Comedy) ) was focused on heaven. The rewards, was focused on heaven. The rewards, punishments, conflicts, etc. were based in this punishments, conflicts, etc. were based in this world. The focus is on human frailty and world. The focus is on human frailty and human greatness. There is sympathy for the human greatness. There is sympathy for the human condition. human condition.

Chivalric idealChivalric ideal

Loyalty to God, King, Lady (remember loyalty Loyalty to God, King, Lady (remember loyalty from Beowulf). But this doesn’t always work – from Beowulf). But this doesn’t always work – what do you do if there is a conflict in what do you do if there is a conflict in loyalties? Gawain fails in all three of these loyalties? Gawain fails in all three of these respects, as you will see. But he also respects, as you will see. But he also succeeds.succeeds.

Mythological/ Mythological/ AnthropologicalAnthropological

Anthropological view of the tale so far? Anthropological view of the tale so far?

Picture of “Green Man”Picture of “Green Man”

Sir Gawain as associated with OaksSir Gawain as associated with Oaks

Also Sir Gawain as associated with May Day Also Sir Gawain as associated with May Day and the May Poleand the May Pole

Green ManGreen Man

The mysterious Green Knight is the most unique, and perhaps most The mysterious Green Knight is the most unique, and perhaps most memorable, feature of memorable, feature of Sir Gawain and the Green KnightSir Gawain and the Green Knight. Scholars . Scholars have long debated whether he owes more to Pagan mythology, to have long debated whether he owes more to Pagan mythology, to poetic invention or folkloric ceremony. However that may be, he poetic invention or folkloric ceremony. However that may be, he represents a spirit of vegetation. Trees can live far longer than represents a spirit of vegetation. Trees can live far longer than human beings, and they have regenerative powers that people human beings, and they have regenerative powers that people have always envied. A person who loses a limb is permanently have always envied. A person who loses a limb is permanently handicapped, but a tree that loses a limb will simply grow in handicapped, but a tree that loses a limb will simply grow in another direction. The Green Knight has this ability. On being another direction. The Green Knight has this ability. On being decapitated, he simply picks up his head, which continues to speak decapitated, he simply picks up his head, which continues to speak in his hand. The next year, the head is back on his torso where it in his hand. The next year, the head is back on his torso where it belongs.belongs.

Nevertheless, possible literary predecessors of the Green Knight may Nevertheless, possible literary predecessors of the Green Knight may go back almost to the start of civilization. The earliest is the giant go back almost to the start of civilization. The earliest is the giant Humbaba, guardian of the cedar forest of Lebanon in the ancient Humbaba, guardian of the cedar forest of Lebanon in the ancient Mesopotamian Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh Epic of Gilgamesh from around the early second from around the early second millennium B. C. Like the Green Man of medieval Europe, Humbaba millennium B. C. Like the Green Man of medieval Europe, Humbaba was often sculpted grimacing from the facades of buildings. There was often sculpted grimacing from the facades of buildings. There is also a Muslim Green Man known as Kadr, whose lore was is also a Muslim Green Man known as Kadr, whose lore was probably carried by crusaders back from the Holy Land. probably carried by crusaders back from the Holy Land.

Story as fertility myth, Story as fertility myth, ritualritual

In European spring festivals, maypoles were set up to In European spring festivals, maypoles were set up to represent sacred represent sacred trees, and a , and a sacred marriage was was enacted between a May Queen—a descendant of enacted between a May Queen—a descendant of countless countless fertility goddesses reaching back to the goddesses reaching back to the Neolithic and the and the SumerianInanna— and a companion — and a companion known as the Green Man, himself a descendant of all known as the Green Man, himself a descendant of all those ancient fertility those ancient fertility heroes such as such as Dumuzi, Attis, , Attis, and and Adonis, many of whom were associated with , many of whom were associated with sacred trees. A later relative of the Green Man was the sacred trees. A later relative of the Green Man was the Green Knight in the Middle English romance of in the Middle English romance of Sir Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and the Green Knight, in which the theme of , in which the theme of decapitation suggests the ancient ritual of fertile decapitation suggests the ancient ritual of fertile sacrifice for the good of humanity, a process reenacted for the good of humanity, a process reenacted in the in the Christian story of Jesus, who died on the “tree”- story of Jesus, who died on the “tree”-cross and was resurrected in the spring, symbolizing a cross and was resurrected in the spring, symbolizing a new spiritual fertility.new spiritual fertility.

Dr. Freud or Dr. Jung?Dr. Freud or Dr. Jung?

Psychological view of the tale so far?Psychological view of the tale so far?

What if you were doing a Freudian reading?What if you were doing a Freudian reading?

A Jungian reading?A Jungian reading?

In any case, the poem is very humanistic. In any case, the poem is very humanistic. Gawain’s “only fault is that he loves his life Gawain’s “only fault is that he loves his life too much.” The poem is about a good man too much.” The poem is about a good man choosing between right and wrong. choosing between right and wrong.

Carl Jung on MandalasCarl Jung on Mandalas

The "squaring of the circle" is one of the many archetypal motifsThe "squaring of the circle" is one of the many archetypal motifswhich form the basic patterns of our dreams and fantasies. But itwhich form the basic patterns of our dreams and fantasies. But itis distinguished by the fact that it is one of the most importantis distinguished by the fact that it is one of the most importantof them from the functional point of view. Indeed, it could evenof them from the functional point of view. Indeed, it could evenbe called the archetype of wholeness.be called the archetype of wholeness.- from - from MandalasMandalas. C. G. Jung. trans. from Du . C. G. Jung. trans. from Du (Zurich, 1955)(Zurich, 1955)

During a difficult period in his life in which he withdrew from his teaching position and During a difficult period in his life in which he withdrew from his teaching position and devoted much of his time investigating the nature of the unconscious, Jung devoted much of his time investigating the nature of the unconscious, Jung frequently painted or drew mandalas, but only learned to understand the mandala frequently painted or drew mandalas, but only learned to understand the mandala symbology many years after he had begun creating the images.symbology many years after he had begun creating the images.

He understood only that he felt compelled to make the figures and that they He understood only that he felt compelled to make the figures and that they comforted him, “Only gradually did I discover what the mandala really is: “Formation, comforted him, “Only gradually did I discover what the mandala really is: “Formation, Transformation, Eternal Mind’s eternal recreation”. And that is the self, the wholeness Transformation, Eternal Mind’s eternal recreation”. And that is the self, the wholeness of the personality, which if all goes well is harmonious, but which cannot tolerate self-of the personality, which if all goes well is harmonious, but which cannot tolerate self-deceptions” (MDR 195-196). Mandalas are defined by Jung as magic circles, deceptions” (MDR 195-196). Mandalas are defined by Jung as magic circles, containing certain design motifs that he found to have a universal nature, across containing certain design motifs that he found to have a universal nature, across cultures and across time, whether they are the transiently created mandalas from cultures and across time, whether they are the transiently created mandalas from Tibet, sand paintings from the American southwest, or illustrations from ancient, Tibet, sand paintings from the American southwest, or illustrations from ancient, medieval, and Renaissance alchemical works. (Carbonek – August 9, 2007. Blog.)medieval, and Renaissance alchemical works. (Carbonek – August 9, 2007. Blog.)

Two more Jungian Two more Jungian perspectivesperspectives

From Francis Vargas Gibbons : “Sir Gawain's Mentors “From Francis Vargas Gibbons : “Sir Gawain's Mentors “   Examined from    Examined from the perspective of the Psychology of Adult Development,the perspective of the Psychology of Adult Development,22 the poem the poem Sir Sir Gawain and the Green KnightGawain and the Green Knight yields some interesting and useful insights. yields some interesting and useful insights. Variously interpreted as a vegetation deity, a fiend-like creature and even Variously interpreted as a vegetation deity, a fiend-like creature and even death itself,death itself,33 the Green Knight is, in fact, one of literature's greatest the Green Knight is, in fact, one of literature's greatest mentors. He is a mentor in advance of his time, who is so intuitively in tune mentors. He is a mentor in advance of his time, who is so intuitively in tune with the nature of his role, that he functions, not alone, but in conjunction with the nature of his role, that he functions, not alone, but in conjunction with his wifewith his wife44 to assist and guide the young Sir Gawain during his Early to assist and guide the young Sir Gawain during his Early Adult Transition.Adult Transition.55 The Green Knight and his wife, the Lady, succeed in The Green Knight and his wife, the Lady, succeed in helping Gawain move from complete dependence on his original group, to a helping Gawain move from complete dependence on his original group, to a stage where the apprentice adult can begin to build a Life Structure for stage where the apprentice adult can begin to build a Life Structure for entering Early Adulthood. Through purposeful confinement and a well entering Early Adulthood. Through purposeful confinement and a well orchestrated reenactment of the Oedipal situation, they help Gawain orchestrated reenactment of the Oedipal situation, they help Gawain mature into adult acceptamature into adult acceptance of human nce of human imperfection, sinfulness and imperfection, sinfulness and perishability; making him realize the impossibility of clinging to his Dreamperishability; making him realize the impossibility of clinging to his Dream66 of perfect virtue and flawless knightly service to the pentangle. In addition, of perfect virtue and flawless knightly service to the pentangle. In addition, the couple's complicitous behavior on Gawain's behalf also offers a model the couple's complicitous behavior on Gawain's behalf also offers a model of marital contentment and loyalty, as well as an example of adult of marital contentment and loyalty, as well as an example of adult generativity.generativity.77

I. Mentor and "Mentee” I. Mentor and "Mentee”   Marie Borroff, who sees   Marie Borroff, who sees maturation as the theme of the poem, regards the Green maturation as the theme of the poem, regards the Green Knight, not as an educator, but as a judge who Knight, not as an educator, but as a judge who represents both absolute and temporal reality. She represents both absolute and temporal reality. She comments that the Knight undergoes a process of comments that the Knight undergoes a process of "demystification" which makes him less green and "demystification" which makes him less green and awesome as Gawain's development progresses (107). awesome as Gawain's development progresses (107). The Green Knight's dual nature is, of course, a requisite. The Green Knight's dual nature is, of course, a requisite. As someone who "represents an illusory perception" of As someone who "represents an illusory perception" of reality but who also "belongs to the real world as reality but who also "belongs to the real world as medieval human beings experienced it and as we medieval human beings experienced it and as we experience it" (108), Bercilak/Green Knight is perfectly experience it" (108), Bercilak/Green Knight is perfectly qualified to be a mentor because he offers a perfect qualified to be a mentor because he offers a perfect surface for the projection of youthful fears and wishes. surface for the projection of youthful fears and wishes. He is there when needed as someone who, in He is there when needed as someone who, in accordance with Daniel Levinson's definition of a mentor, accordance with Daniel Levinson's definition of a mentor, represents "the superior qualities a young man hopes represents "the superior qualities a young man hopes someday to acquire" ( . . .someday to acquire" ( . . .Man's LifeMan's Life, 333)., 333).