Sir Gawain and the Sir Gawain and the Green KnightGreen Knight

Characteristics of Courtly BehaviorCharacteristics of Courtly Behavior

Respect the king. Do nothing to bring him Respect the king. Do nothing to bring him dishonor.dishonor.

Respect women. Do nothing to bring Respect women. Do nothing to bring dishonor to any woman.dishonor to any woman.

Protect the poor and the weak.Protect the poor and the weak. Honor God as a faithful Christian.Honor God as a faithful Christian.

Courtly LoveCourtly Love

This tradition was also called This tradition was also called courtesiecourtesie (also French), meaning “the behavior of (also French), meaning “the behavior of the court.”the court.”

Do Now:Do Now:

Identify all behavior on the part of any Identify all behavior on the part of any character in the poem that conforms to character in the poem that conforms to the medieval regard for the medieval regard for courtesiecourtesie..

ChivalryChivalry ““Chivalry” comes from the Chivalry” comes from the

French French chevalcheval, or horse (, or horse (n.b.n.b. Norman influence in Norman influence in language).language).

Only the wealthiest people in Only the wealthiest people in medieval society could keep medieval society could keep horses and afford to use horses and afford to use them in combat. them in combat.

““Chivalry” became Chivalry” became associated, therefore, with associated, therefore, with the qualities of “horsemen”, the qualities of “horsemen”, or knights.or knights.

related words: cavalier (Fr., related words: cavalier (Fr., L.), cavalry (from L. L.), cavalry (from L. cavalcaval), ), caballero caballero (Sp.)(Sp.)

Sir Gawain and the Green Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Knight as epic poetryas epic poetry

ReviewReview:: Characteristics of the Epic Hero Characteristics of the Epic Hero

1. He is a 1. He is a modelmodel of faith, loyalty, or bravery… of faith, loyalty, or bravery…

2. who makes a long, difficult 2. who makes a long, difficult jjourneourneyy……

3. to do 3. to do battlebattle on behalf of another… on behalf of another…

4. perhaps using his own 4. perhaps using his own susupperhumanerhumantalents…talents…

5. against an enemy who may himself 5. against an enemy who may himself have or be guarded by supernatural have or be guarded by supernatural powers.powers.

Journey = QuestJourney = Quest

In medieval poetry, the epic hero’s In medieval poetry, the epic hero’s journey to battle (like Achilles’ voyage to journey to battle (like Achilles’ voyage to Troy or Beowulf’s to Dane-land) becomes Troy or Beowulf’s to Dane-land) becomes a a qquestuest..

A A qquestuest is “an adventurous expedition in is “an adventurous expedition in search of something spiritually fulfilling or search of something spiritually fulfilling or self-enhancing.”self-enhancing.”

So what kind of story is So what kind of story is this?this?

It’s a ROMANCE (but not like It’s a ROMANCE (but not like the movie the movie The NotebookThe Notebook or or Sweet Home AlabamaSweet Home Alabama).).

ROMANCE: ROMANCE: a narrative set in a world of pure a narrative set in a world of pure

wish fulfillment wish fulfillment superhuman heroes fight and superhuman heroes fight and

almost always conquer the almost always conquer the forces of evilforces of evil

the hero undertakes a hard the hero undertakes a hard journey in search of something journey in search of something valuable (a quest…remember valuable (a quest…remember that?)that?)

Main Characters…Main Characters… King Arthur (ever heard King Arthur (ever heard

of him?):of him?): Legendary king of BritainLegendary king of Britain Husband of GuinevereHusband of Guinevere Uncle of GawainUncle of Gawain Over the famous Knights Over the famous Knights

of the Round Table at of the Round Table at CamelotCamelot

Brave, courageous, Brave, courageous, chivalrouschivalrous

Main Characters…Main Characters… Sir Gawain:Sir Gawain:

Arthur’s nephew and one Arthur’s nephew and one of the most loyal, brave of the most loyal, brave knightsknights

Follows the chivalrous Follows the chivalrous code (humility, piety, code (humility, piety, integrity, loyalty, honesty)integrity, loyalty, honesty)

Courtly loverCourtly lover One flaw: loves his life so One flaw: loves his life so

much that he will lie to much that he will lie to protect it (obviously protect it (obviously breaking the code)breaking the code)

Main Characters…Main Characters… The Green Knight:The Green Knight:

Yes…he is a green man.Yes…he is a green man. Huge guy with big Huge guy with big

muscles/carries a huge muscles/carries a huge axeaxe

Says he comes in Says he comes in friendship but proposes friendship but proposes that someone step forward that someone step forward to play the “beheading to play the “beheading game.”game.”

Expects the knights to be Expects the knights to be courageous and step courageous and step forward to play.forward to play.

Why the Green Knight?Why the Green Knight?

In medieval England, the In medieval England, the “Green Man” was a pagan “Green Man” was a pagan representation of nature.representation of nature.

The “Green Man” was The “Green Man” was notnot

Satanic, but did symbolize Satanic, but did symbolize the nature worship that the nature worship that characterized pre-Christian characterized pre-Christian tribal paganism.tribal paganism.

The “Green Man” is not evil, but is also The “Green Man” is not evil, but is also notnot Christian Christian

a battle between any of Arthur’s knights a battle between any of Arthur’s knights and any creature reminiscent of Britain’s and any creature reminiscent of Britain’s pagan past is, by extension, a battle pagan past is, by extension, a battle between “good” and “evil” – or between between “good” and “evil” – or between the Christian piety of Arthur’s knights and the Christian piety of Arthur’s knights and their tribal, non-Christian predecessors.their tribal, non-Christian predecessors.

Gawain’s ShieldGawain’s Shield

In the poem, Gawain’s shield In the poem, Gawain’s shield is described as a golden is described as a golden pentangle on a field of red.pentangle on a field of red.

Gawain was said to possess Gawain was said to possess five qualities – one for each five qualities – one for each of the pentangle’s points – of the pentangle’s points – wherein he far excelled other wherein he far excelled other knights.knights.

Red and GoldRed and Gold

In medieval symbology, In medieval symbology, redred signifies humility as the signifies humility as the blood of Christblood of Christ

GoldGold signifies perfection. signifies perfection.

The first of these “Five Fifths” was his The first of these “Five Fifths” was his faultlessness in his five senses.faultlessness in his five senses.

The next (second) of these “Five Fifths” was The next (second) of these “Five Fifths” was his faultlessness in his five fingers.his faultlessness in his five fingers.

The next (third) of these “Five Fifths” was the The next (third) of these “Five Fifths” was the strength Gawain drew from his devotion to strength Gawain drew from his devotion to the “five wounds of Christ.”the “five wounds of Christ.”

The next (fourth) of these “Five Fifths” was The next (fourth) of these “Five Fifths” was the strength Gawain drew from his devotion the strength Gawain drew from his devotion to the “five joyful mysteries of the rosary.”to the “five joyful mysteries of the rosary.”

1.1. the Annunciationthe Annunciation

2.2. the Nativitythe Nativity

3.3. the Resurrectionthe Resurrection

4.4. the Ascensionthe Ascension

5.5. the Assumptionthe Assumption

The last of these “Five Fifths” was Gawain’s The last of these “Five Fifths” was Gawain’s well-known practice of the “five social well-known practice of the “five social graces.”graces.”

The five social graces The five social graces which Gawain exemplifies which Gawain exemplifies above all others are:above all others are:

1.1. free-giving (generosity)free-giving (generosity)

2.2. brotherly lovebrotherly love

3.3. chastitychastity

4.4. pure manners (pure manners (courtesiecourtesie))

5.5. pietypiety

Sir Gawain faced five Sir Gawain faced five challengeschallenges

1.1.to voluntarily confront the Green Knightto voluntarily confront the Green Knight

2.2.to strike his blow properlyto strike his blow properly

3.3.to keep his vow to meet the Green Knight to keep his vow to meet the Green Knight in a year and a day.in a year and a day.

4.4.to survive journey to the green chapelto survive journey to the green chapel

5.5.to resist the lady’s temptationsto resist the lady’s temptations

The The FIFTH TESTFIFTH TEST is the temptations and the is the temptations and the three gifts; it tests especially the fifth point of three gifts; it tests especially the fifth point of the pentangle, the social virtues. the pentangle, the social virtues.

Gawain falls: his acceptance of the sash is Gawain falls: his acceptance of the sash is not a fault; his hiding of it is a potential fault; not a fault; his hiding of it is a potential fault; his actual withholding of it from the lord his actual withholding of it from the lord ((BertilakBertilak) is his fall. Had he given it back to the ) is his fall. Had he given it back to the lady, he would have erased his potential fault. lady, he would have erased his potential fault.

The real fault, from Gawain's point of The real fault, from Gawain's point of view, is that the reality of his own view, is that the reality of his own mortalitymortality induces him to break the induces him to break the pentangle knot. pentangle knot.

Thus two effects of original sin are Thus two effects of original sin are reasserted: cowardice (bodily mortality) reasserted: cowardice (bodily mortality) and covetousness (willful cupidity). His and covetousness (willful cupidity). His nature as a man is asserting itself against nature as a man is asserting itself against his nature as a knight. his nature as a knight.

Other Characters…Other Characters…

Lord and Lady of the castle where Gawain Lord and Lady of the castle where Gawain stays for Christmas (The lady tries to seduce stays for Christmas (The lady tries to seduce Gawain every day he is there.)Gawain every day he is there.)

Queen Guinevere: Arthur’s wife and queenQueen Guinevere: Arthur’s wife and queen

Major theme…Major theme… Chivalry:Chivalry:

The world of The world of Sir Gawain Sir Gawain and the Green Knightand the Green Knight is is governed by well-defined governed by well-defined codes of behavior. The codes of behavior. The code of chivalry, in code of chivalry, in particular, shapes the particular, shapes the values and actions of Sir values and actions of Sir Gawain and other Gawain and other characters in the poem. characters in the poem. The ideals of chivalry come The ideals of chivalry come from the Christian concept from the Christian concept of morality. of morality.

Major Theme…Major Theme… Arthur's court depends heavily on the code of Arthur's court depends heavily on the code of

chivalry, and chivalry, and Sir Gawain and the Green KnightSir Gawain and the Green Knight gently criticizes the fact that chivalry values gently criticizes the fact that chivalry values appearance and symbols over truth. appearance and symbols over truth.

Arthur is introduced to us as the “most Arthur is introduced to us as the “most courteous of all,” indicating that people are courteous of all,” indicating that people are ranked in this court according to their mastery ranked in this court according to their mastery of a certain code of behavior and good of a certain code of behavior and good manners. manners.

When the Green Knight challenges the When the Green Knight challenges the court, he mocks them for being so afraid court, he mocks them for being so afraid of mere words, suggesting that words and of mere words, suggesting that words and appearances hold too much power over appearances hold too much power over the company. the company.

The members of the court never reveal The members of the court never reveal their true feelings, instead choosing to their true feelings, instead choosing to seem beautiful, courteous, and fair-seem beautiful, courteous, and fair-spoken.spoken.

Major Theme…Major Theme…

The lesson Gawain learns as a result of the The lesson Gawain learns as a result of the Green Knight's challenge is that, at a basic Green Knight's challenge is that, at a basic level, he is just a physical being who is level, he is just a physical being who is concerned above all else with his own life. concerned above all else with his own life.

Chivalry provides a valuable set of ideals Chivalry provides a valuable set of ideals toward which to strive, but a person must toward which to strive, but a person must above all remain conscious of his or her own above all remain conscious of his or her own mortality and weakness. mortality and weakness.

Gawain's faults throughout this story Gawain's faults throughout this story teach him that though he may be the teach him that though he may be the most chivalrous knight in the land, he is most chivalrous knight in the land, he is nevertheless human and capable of nevertheless human and capable of error.error.

Conclusion:Conclusion:

Sir Gawain is mocked by the Green Sir Gawain is mocked by the Green Knight for being a cowardKnight for being a coward ““You can’t be Gawain … you flinch”You can’t be Gawain … you flinch”

Gawain redeems himself by resigning Gawain redeems himself by resigning himself to take the ax hithimself to take the ax hit ““Stood there still as a tree” (Represents Stood there still as a tree” (Represents

bravery)bravery)

Each swing of the ax represented one Each swing of the ax represented one part of the testpart of the test

For Gawain’s first 2 days of honesty at the For Gawain’s first 2 days of honesty at the castle, he receives “fake” swipes as a castle, he receives “fake” swipes as a reward.reward.

Contact was made as a consequence for Contact was made as a consequence for being “less than loyal” about sash.being “less than loyal” about sash.

Gawain can’t fight his basic human Gawain can’t fight his basic human reaction to surviving, though it may seem reaction to surviving, though it may seem un-knightly. Character is human.un-knightly. Character is human.

Distinction between God and man.Distinction between God and man.

Final note…Final note…

Knight admires that Gawain loved his life.Knight admires that Gawain loved his life.

While the story shows a strive for While the story shows a strive for perfection, it almost celebrates failure perfection, it almost celebrates failure inherent in humanityinherent in humanity

Chance for redemption, humilityChance for redemption, humility

Setting up the story…Setting up the story…

During a New Year's Eve feast at King Arthur's During a New Year's Eve feast at King Arthur's court, a strange figure, referred to only as the court, a strange figure, referred to only as the Green Knight, pays the court an unexpected Green Knight, pays the court an unexpected visit. He challenges the group's leader or any visit. He challenges the group's leader or any other brave representative to a game. The other brave representative to a game. The Green Knight says that he will allow whomever Green Knight says that he will allow whomever accepts the challenge to strike him with his accepts the challenge to strike him with his own axe, on the condition that the challenger own axe, on the condition that the challenger find him in exactly one year to receive a blow in find him in exactly one year to receive a blow in return. return.

Setting up the story…Setting up the story…

Stunned, Arthur hesitates to respond, but when the Stunned, Arthur hesitates to respond, but when the Green Knight mocks Arthur's silence, the king steps Green Knight mocks Arthur's silence, the king steps forward to take the challenge. As soon as Arthur grips forward to take the challenge. As soon as Arthur grips the Green Knight's axe, Sir Gawain leaps up and asks the Green Knight's axe, Sir Gawain leaps up and asks to take the challenge himself. He takes hold of the axe to take the challenge himself. He takes hold of the axe and, in one deadly blow, cuts off the knight's head. To and, in one deadly blow, cuts off the knight's head. To the amazement of the court, the now-headless Green the amazement of the court, the now-headless Green Knight picks up his severed head. Before riding away, Knight picks up his severed head. Before riding away, the head reiterates the terms of the pact, reminding the the head reiterates the terms of the pact, reminding the young Gawain to seek him in a year and a day at the young Gawain to seek him in a year and a day at the Green Chapel. After the Green Knight leaves, the Green Chapel. After the Green Knight leaves, the company goes back to its festival, but Gawain is company goes back to its festival, but Gawain is uneasy……..and away we go from there!uneasy……..and away we go from there!

Turn to page 226 in your Turn to page 226 in your literature books for “Sir literature books for “Sir Gawain and the Green Gawain and the Green

Knight.”Knight.”