Sir Gawain and the Sir Gawain and the Green KnightGreen Knight

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SGGKSGGK combines two different sorts of combines two different sorts of adventure (the beheading contest adventure (the beheading contest and the temptation to commit and the temptation to commit adultery) with repeated tests of adultery) with repeated tests of Gawain’s Gawain’s trouthetrouthe (truth)—the parallel (truth)—the parallel sets of exchanges of blows (the sets of exchanges of blows (the beheading game) and winnings, as beheading game) and winnings, as well as his loyalty (to Arthur, the well as his loyalty (to Arthur, the chivalric code, his host at Bercilak’s chivalric code, his host at Bercilak’s castle and to the lady).castle and to the lady).

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All of these elements fuse into a All of these elements fuse into a unified work designed to unified work designed to illustrate the physical and moral illustrate the physical and moral perfection of Gawainperfection of Gawain– How “perfect” is Gawain? Does How “perfect” is Gawain? Does

he fulfill his oaths? Or does he he fulfill his oaths? Or does he fail as a knight? fail as a knight?

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Things to consider:Things to consider:– What is the connection between the What is the connection between the

scenery and Gawain’s mental state?scenery and Gawain’s mental state?– What is the symbolism of the three What is the symbolism of the three

beasts hunted by Bercilak?beasts hunted by Bercilak?– Is there a relationship between the Is there a relationship between the

hunting exploits and the “hunt” in the hunting exploits and the “hunt” in the bedroom?bedroom?

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More things to consider:More things to consider:– Arthur is said to be the “most courteous Arthur is said to be the “most courteous

of all” knights. What are the of all” knights. What are the characteristics of his court? His knights? characteristics of his court? His knights? His queen? How does he distinguish His queen? How does he distinguish himself in the opening scene? How is he himself in the opening scene? How is he different from other knights? Does he different from other knights? Does he fulfill some chivalric duty that the other fulfill some chivalric duty that the other knights neglect?knights neglect?

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Plus…Plus…– Note the use of the terms Note the use of the terms courtesycourtesy, ,

courtlycourtly, , courtlinesscourtliness, or , or courteouscourteous..– Does the Green Knight play by the rules Does the Green Knight play by the rules

of courtesy?of courtesy?– Is the GK ultimately a positive or Is the GK ultimately a positive or

negative figure?negative figure?– At the end, everyone but Gawain agrees At the end, everyone but Gawain agrees

that he is the best of Arthur’s knights. that he is the best of Arthur’s knights. Why does SG disagree?Why does SG disagree?

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What is the significance of the green girdle What is the significance of the green girdle in the final lines?in the final lines?

What is the significance of the Pentangle? What is the significance of the Pentangle? What is the significance of the 5 fives? What is the significance of the 5 fives? Taken together what do they represent? Taken together what do they represent? What is on one side of his shield and the What is on one side of his shield and the other? What is implied about SG’s other? What is implied about SG’s relationship to the “courtly love” tradition?relationship to the “courtly love” tradition?

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The Pentangle is called a “token of The Pentangle is called a “token of truth,” the virtue tested by the GK. truth,” the virtue tested by the GK. What promises are made by SG? What promises are made by SG? Which does he keep? What lesson Which does he keep? What lesson does SG learn?does SG learn?

What is the attitude towards courtly What is the attitude towards courtly love? Does SG attempt to serve the love? Does SG attempt to serve the lady in the poem?lady in the poem?

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What role do the women play in the What role do the women play in the work? Who are they? How are their work? Who are they? How are their roles similar or different?roles similar or different?