Literary Romance

Four Characteristics:

• Narrative set in a world of pure wish fulfillment

• Ordinary laws of nature are suspended

• Superhuman heroes fight the forces of evil

• Typically a quest involved (dangerous journey in search of something precious)

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

• Written around 1375

• Author unknown, referred to as “The Gawain Poet”

• Thought the be from NW England based on descriptions and language used in poem

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

• Ideal Knight (nephew of King Arthur)

• Poem portrays ideals knights would strive to meet

• Dutifully obeyed code of chivalry, a combination of Christian and military ideals

• Trawthe: meaning “truth”, “devotion”, “fidelity”

• keeping one’s word AND remaining faithful to knighthood vows

• Secular and religious chivalric responsibilities

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

• Chivalry: code of honor intended to govern knightly behavior.

• Protect those who cannot protect themselves (women, children, elderly)

1. Courage

2. Sexual Morality

3. Fidelity

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

You Need:

1. Pink highlighter

2. Interactive Reader: pgs. 41-56•As you read, highlight in PINK evidence of chivalry as exhibited by Gawain.

-Next to the highlighted exampled, name the type of chivalry your are identifying(Ex. Courage)•Complete all sidebars

Homework: Finish reading “Gawain”. Continue sidebar questions and PINK highlights.