Medieval Romances

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight&

Le Morte D’Arthur

Convey a sense of the

supernatural Mystery and suspense Glamorous portrayal of castle

life Chivalric ideals: character

guided by bravery, honor, courtesy, fairness to enemies, respect for women

Characteristics of a Medieval Romance

Heroic adventures Setting is often imaginary/vague Concealed identities/disguises Damsels in distress

Characteristics of a Medieval Romance

Birth is often mysterious Either away from his true

home or does not know his parents

True identity is often unknown at first

Faces extraordinary challenges

Triumphs and victories benefit a nation or group

The Romantic Hero

Supernatural elements Heroic adventures epic quests Extraordinary challenges Victories benefit groups of people/nations

Romantic Heroes vs. Epic Heroes

Sir Gawain: king Arthur’s nephew

and one of the bravest Knights of the Round Table

Follows the code of chivalry Story highlights Gawain’s flaw: his

fear of death causes him to break the code of chivalry

Appearances vs. reality: Gawain appears to be chivalrous and honest, but is neither when faced with death

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

‘Sir Gawain and the Green Knight’ begins with a New Year’s Eve feast at Camelot

Dinner is interrupted by a giant green knight with an ax

The Green Knight rides into the hall on a green horse and issues a challenge He will allow whomever accepts the challenge to

strike him with his own axe, on the condition that the challenger find him in exactly one year to receive a blow in return

Background