Sir Gawain and the Green KnightSir Gawain and the Green Knight

I. IntroductionI. Introduction

A.A. Background—manuscript discovered in 1839Background—manuscript discovered in 1839

B.B. Author—Unknown: The Pearl PoetAuthor—Unknown: The Pearl Poet1.1.

2.2.

3.3.

4.4.

I. IntroductionI. Introduction

C.C. Plot sourcesPlot sources1.1.2.2.

D.D. The Medieval Romance: The Medieval Romance: Five QualitiesFive Qualities1.1.

2.2.

D. Medieval Romance (five D. Medieval Romance (five qualities)qualities)

3.3.

4. 4.

5.5.

II.II. Major ThemesMajor Themes

A.A. Civilization vs. NatureCivilization vs. Nature1.1. Use of setting:Use of setting:

CamelotCamelot and Bertilak’s and Bertilak’s Green Green ChapelChapel

CastleCastle

Major Themes (continued)Major Themes (continued)

2.2. Moral Theme: The Power of Nature over Moral Theme: The Power of Nature over Morality (Chivalry)Morality (Chivalry)

3. Psychological—Self Knowledge3. Psychological—Self Knowledgelearned throughlearned throughfailure failure (“she knowsthere’s no (“she knowsthere’s no

success like failure / And failure issuccess like failure / And failure is no success at all” – Bob Dylan)no success at all” – Bob Dylan)

a. Journey of _____a. Journey of _____

Major Themes (continued)Major Themes (continued)

b. Life is a journey into humility—the b. Life is a journey into humility—the losses:losses:

Courtesy fails himCourtesy fails him

Martial abilities fail himMartial abilities fail him

Faith fails him (green Faith fails him (green belt)belt)

Major Themes (continued)Major Themes (continued)

4. Religious Themes4. Religious Themesa. Christianity vs Paganisma. Christianity vs Paganism

b. What does God want?b. What does God want?

c. Fall from innocencec. Fall from innocence

III. CharactersIII. Characters

A.A. Sir GawainSir Gawain

B.B. The Green KnightThe Green Knight

III. Characters (continued)III. Characters (continued)

C.C. Lady BertilakLady BertilakTemptation (Eve Temptation (Eve

character in fall)character in fall)

D.D. Morgan le Fay (Old Lady)Morgan le Fay (Old Lady)evil inspiration behind the beheading game evil inspiration behind the beheading game (hope to shock Guenivere to death)(hope to shock Guenivere to death)

IV. SymbolismIV. Symbolism

1.1. The journeyThe journey

2.2. The Green KnightThe Green Knight

3.3. The Green ChapelThe Green Chapel

4.4. The green beltThe green belt

IV. Symbolism (continued)IV. Symbolism (continued)

5. the pentangle5. the pentangle charitycharity

GenerosityGenerosity fellowshipfellowship

CourtesyCourtesy pity pity