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March 20, 2023 Sir Gawain and The Green Knight ‘A Medieval Romance and a tale of chivalry’
“They'd all seen wonders, but nothing like this. And some said he was witchcraft, a phantom, And were afraid to answer him, then gasped at his voice And trembled, sitting motionless in that noble Hall, silent as stones, as corpses;’’ —The Gawain Poet
Definition of Chivalry 1. Prowess: ability to fight
Definition of Chivalry 2. Loyalty: to God, King, and lady
Definition of Chivalry 3. Generosity: includes gift-giving and hospitality
Definition of Chivalry 4. Franchise: that "something special" that distinguishes a knight; linked to birthright
Definition of Chivalry 5. Courtesy: initially "behavior at court," the term emphasizes behavior towards a lady
Genre: Medieval Romance The basic material of medieval romance is knightly activity and adventure; we might best define medieval romance as a story of adventure. Elements of Romantic Literature: • First, be cautioned—the word “romance” does not mean a love story • Adventure involving a knight on a quest • Some fantasy and magic are present • Could be dragons and/or monsters • Mysterious places • Begins at a noble court
Any "love interest" is likely to be incidental to the story • The stories were often woven around a well-known figure. • The hero is always made to conform to medieval conceptions of a knight . • Often follows the loose pattern of a quest. • A tale of adventure in which knights, kings, or distressed ladies, are motivated by love, religious faith, or the mere desire for adventure. • Usually set in remote times or places. • Involves elements of the fantastic or supernatural
Main Characters… • Sir Gawain: • Arthur’s nephew and one of the most loyal, brave knights • Follows the chivalrous code (humility, piety, integrity, loyalty, honesty) • One flaw: loves his life so much that he will lie to protect it (obviously breaking the code)
Main Characters… The Green Knight: • Yes…he is a green man. • Huge guy with big muscles/carries a huge axe • Says he comes in friendship but proposes that someone step forward to play the “beheading game.” • Expects the knights to be courageous and step forward to play.
Main Characters… King Arthur: • Legendary king of Britain • Husband of Guinevere • Uncle of Gawain • Over the famous Knights of the Round Table at Camelot • Brave, courageous, chivalrous
Other Characters… Lord and Lady of the castle where Gawain stays for Christmas (The lady tries to seduce Gawain every day he is there.) Queen Guinevere: Arthur’s wife and queen
Major theme… • Chivalry: • The world of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is governed by well-defined codes of behavior. The code of chivalry, in particular, shapes the values and actions of Sir Gawain and other characters in the poem. The ideals of chivalry come from the Christian concept of morality.
Major Theme… Arthur's court depends heavily on the code of chivalry, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight gently criticizes the fact that chivalry values appearance and symbols over truth. Arthur is introduced to us as the “most courteous of all,” indicating that people are ranked in this court according to their mastery of a certain code of behavior and good manners. When the Green Knight challenges the court, he mocks them for being so afraid of mere words, suggesting that words and appearances hold too much power over the company. The members of the court never reveal their true feelings, instead choosing to seem beautiful, courteous, and fair-spoken.
Major Theme… The lesson Gawain learns as a result of the Green Knight's challenge is that, at a basic level, he is just a physical being who is concerned above all else with his own life. Chivalry provides a valuable set of ideals toward which to strive, but a person must above all remain conscious of his or her own mortality and weakness. Gawain's faults throughout this story teach him that though he may be the most chivalrous knight in the land, he is nevertheless human and capable of error.
Knights • Were granted land from their lord for their military service. • At first the knights lived with the lords & were fed, clothed & armed by them. • Later, some knights were given fiefs from the lord-vassal’s own fief estates. • Followed the Code of Chivalry.
Code of Chivalry • To fear God and maintain His Church • To serve the liege lord in valor and faith • To protect the weak and defenseless • To give succor to widows and orphans • To refrain from the wanton giving of offence • To live by honor and for glory • To despise pecuniary reward • To fight for the welfare of all • To obey those placed in authority • To guard the honor of fellow knights • To eschew unfairness, meanness and deceit • To keep faith • At all times to speak the truth • To persevere to the end in any enterprise begun • To respect the honor of women • Never to refuse a challenge from an equal • Never to turn the back upon a foe
The knights promised to defend the weak, be courteous to all women, be loyal to their king, and serve God at all times. HOWEVER… • The code of chivalry did not always extend to the peasants. The "weak" was widely interpreted as "noble women and children." The knights were often brutal to common folk. They could sometimes even rape young peasant women without fear of reprisal, all because they were part of the upper class. • The code of chivalry stated that knights must give mercy to a vanquished enemy. However, the very fact that knights were trained as men of war belied this code. They often plundered villages or cities that they captured, often defiling and destroying churches and other property.
Term: Allusion a brief reference to a person, event, or place, real or fictitious, or to a work of art. Casual reference to a famous historical or literary figure or event.An allusion may be drawn from history, geography, literature, or religion.
Term: Legend a tradition or story handed down from earlier times and popularly accepted as true but actually a mix of fact and fiction. The term is also applied to any fictitious tale concerning a real person, event, or place and is likely to be less concerned with the supernatural than a myth.
Term: symbol A person, object, image, word, or event that evokes a range of additional meaning beyond and usually more abstract than its literal significance. Conventional symbols have meanings that are widely recognized by a society or culture.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight • Author is known as 1) The Gawain Poet or 2) The Pearl Poet • Composed around 1370
Themes •temptation and testing •hunting and seduction •games •time and seasons •nature and chivalry
Symbolism •the color green •the green knight •girdle •pentangle •numbers •wounds
