Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

1
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

• By Sarah Maple

2
Background Information

• An alliterative poem
• Likely written in the late fourteenth century.
• Survives in a manuscript with three other poems
  Pearl, Purity, and Patience.
• Little is known about the author, however, most
  believe him to have been a university-trained
  clerk or the official of a provincial estate.
  (the author is also known as the Pearl Poet or
  the Gawain-poet.)

3
Writing Style

• Written in a dialect of Middle English, which is
  linked to Britains Northwest Midlands.
• Alliterative Revival
• Resurgence of a type of literature usually
  associated with northern England.
• Uses the alliterative verse form.
• Sir Gawain and the Green Knight serves as a
  testament to this style.

4
Poem Structure

• Implements Old English meter to connect the two
  halves of each poetic line through alliteration.
• Rhyme structure is also used in the stanzas.
• Told in four fitts, or parts.
• Weaves together at least three narrative strings
  that intersect as the story unfolds.

5
Poem Structure

• Bob and wheel
• Metrical device typically occurring at the end of
  a stanza.
• Derived from a technique used when spinning
  cloth.
• The bob is a shorter line, sometimes only two
  syllables, and the wheel is the longer line.
• Spins the plot and narrative together in
  intricate ways.
• Provides commentary on what has just happened,
  creates or fulfills moments of suspense, serves
  as transitions to the next scene or idea.

6
Plot Summary

• During a New Years Eve feast, a strange figure,
  known as the Green Knight, pays the court a
  visit. He challenges the groups leader to a game
  in which whomever accepts the challenge is
  allowed to strike the knight with his own axe, if
  and only if the challenger goes out to find him
  one year later to receive a blow in return. King
  Arthur accepts the challenge, and just before the
  King takes the axe, Sir Gawain volunteers himself
  for the challenge. In one deadly blow, Sir Gawain
  beheads the knight. He picks up his severed head,
  and rides away after reiterating the terms of the
  pact. A year passes and Sir Gawain embarks on his
  journey to find the Green Knight. After much
  struggle, Sir Gawain prays to find refuge, and
  comes across a castle, in which the lord welcomes
  him warmly. The host makes a deal with the Sir
  Gawain the host will go out hunting with his men
  everyday, and whatever he comes back with will be
  traded with Sir Gawain with whatever he manages
  to acquire at the castle. Sir Gawain agreed, and
  the next morning, the lords wife sneaks into his
  bedroom and attempts to seduce him. Gawain
  refuses her.

7
Plot Summary

• But before leaving she was able to steal a kiss.
  That night at dinner, the host gives Sir Gawain
  his game from hunting and in return, Sir Gawain
  gives him a kiss. The second morning, the same
  events occurred, but this time, the lords wife
  stole two kisses. Again that night, Sir Gawain
  gave the host two kisses in return. On the third
  day, after the lords wife steals three kisses,
  she gives him a green girdle, which she says
  possesses the magical ability to protect anyone
  from death. That evening, Sir Gawain gives the
  host three kisses, but leaves out the girdle. The
  next day, Gawain leaves the grounds and continues
  his journey searching for the Green Knight. He
  reaches a crevice in a rock, and trusting his
  speculations, calls out for the Green Knight. He
  appears, and meeting the contracts expectations,
  feigns three blows to Gawains neck, drawing
  blood on the third blow. The Green Knight reveals
  his name, Bertilak, and his identity, the lord of
  the castle Gawain just left. He explains that
  Gawain did not honestly exchange all of his
  winnings on the third day,

8
Plot Summary

• Bertilak then reveals the true nature of his
  intentions, that he was sent by Morgan le Faye,
  Gawains aunt and King Arthurs half sister,
  relying on magic to transform his appearance.
  When Gawain returns to Arthurs court, he wears
  the girdle on his arm as a reminder of failure,
  and all the knights join him by also wearing a
  girdle on their arm.

9
Themes

• Nature of chivalry
• The poem adheres to the virtues of knights
  chastity, courtesy, friendship, generosity, and
  piety.
• These virtues are tested throughout the poem, and
  the question that remains is Can heavenly virtue
  operate in a fallen world?
• Gawain must come to terms with his own human
  nature, such as when he is struggling on the
  journey and gives into prayer, which brings him
  upon the castle.
• He must accept his own capability of error, and
  be aware of his own mortality and weakness.

10
Works Cited

• "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight." SparkNotes.
  SparkNotes, n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2013.
• "Alliterative Revival." Wikipedia. Wikimedia
  Foundation, 16 Oct. 2012. Web. 29 Jan. 2013.
• "Bob and Wheel." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation,
  12 Apr. 2012. Web. 29 Jan. 2013.