An annonymous (the author is referred to as the Gawain-poet) alliterative poem of the Romance genre, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was written in Middle English and later translated into modern English. It’s set in the mythical past of King Arthur‘s court, in Camelot, the wilderness, Bertilak’s castle and the Green Chapel, and the protagonist is Sir Gawain.
Themes: The nature of chivalry, the letter of the law.
Motifs: The seasons, games.
In class today we read how Gawain accepts the Green Knight’s covenant and chops off his head, but he survives the blow. Almost a year later, Gawain sets out through the wilderness in search of the Green Chapel. He happens upon a castle, where he stays until he must leave for his challenge. At the castle, Gawain’s courtesy, chastity, and honesty are all tempted.
Tomorrow we will read how Gawain then journeys to confront the Green Knight at the Green Chapel.
Meanwhile, watch this video animation:
What did you think? How is it different from what you imagined when we read it together?
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January 6, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Gawain on a green airplane « Christopher Schwartz’s Weblog
[...] appeared throughout the world, especially in Islam (e.g., al-Khidr) and the Christian West (e.g., the Green Knight). The motivations are as much personal and spiritual as they are academic: recent inner events [...]