What can we learn about the poet?
- knew a lot about the castle
- knew about animals
- knew about courtly manners
- there are other king arthur stories
- imaginative and thoughtful person, observant
Why did he start with Troy and Aeneas?
- Establish credibility as an author
- Shows historical context, setting
- Connects modern audience to the glory, chivalry of the ancient heroes
The story takes place over a year and a day. What is the significance of this?
- Christmas was the highest festival of the year
- Builds the suspense for the narrative
- Increases the challenge for Gawain and give him more to achieve
Evaluate Arthur’s reaction to the Green Knight’s arrival and challenge
- Did Arthur know he would come, did he arrange for a challenge to his knights? or Gawain specifically?
What are the 5 parts of the pentangle represent?
“The ideals of Christian morality and knightly chivalry are brought together in Gawain’s symbolic shield. The pentangle represents the five virtues of knights: friendship, generosity, chastity, courtesy, and piety.” Spark Notes
Trace the temptations. What were they?
- adultery/pleasure (lust of the flesh)
- riches (lust of the eyes)
- invincibility (the belt): testing his faith in God to save him from the Green Knight (boastful pride of life?)
Do these correlate to the three punishment swings of the axe by the Green Knight? First blow was withdrawn because he kept his promise and came after a year. The second blow intentionally missed because he didn’t fall for the wife’s advances. The third strike was for taking the belt without giving it up.
Application: so in what ways are we tested? Any supreme tests? This seems to be a trap.
Was this written to make spiritual points? To strengthen listener’s faith? What else could this be for? It’s a good story, but doesn’t have much to offer without the moral lessons.
Did Morgan la Fay scheme work in the end? Not really.