Name: ___________________
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Questions Pages 216 (line 198) – End
Answer the following comprehension questions in complete sentences. Use as much detail as
possible to show understanding – use QUOTES (full or partial) as proof for each question.
1. After Gawain arrives at the castle, how does the Lord of the castle act or respond toward
Gawain?
2. What agreement does Gawain make with the lord of the castle? What does the lady of
the castle attempt to do?
3. What two gifts does the lady offer Sir Gawain?
4. Which one of the two gifts does he agree to finally take? Why does he finally agree to
take a gift?
5.
Give two examples of courtly love shown between Sir Gawain and the lady from pages
216-217.
6.
Why does Sir Gawain break his agreement with the lord and keep the sash hidden from
him?
7. When the green knight goes to strike Sir Gawain with the knife, what does Gawain do?
Briefly summarize what the knight says to Gawain.
8. Why does Gawain say he “shied away once” from the blade?
9.
On page 219, Gawain stands “still as a stone” to receive the 2nd blow, and the Green
Knight praises him saying “Good! You’ve got your heart back”-what does the Green
Knight mean by this statement?
10. What happens with the Green Knight finally hits Sir Gawain with the ax?
11. On page 220, we learn that the Green Knight is the one who told the lady to kiss Sir
Gawain and give him the sash. Why did the Green Knight do these things?
12. Why does Sir Gawain give the sash back to the Green Knight? How does the Green
Knight respond?
13. What did Sir Gawain learn from his encounter with the Green Knight?
14. Does Sir Gawain ever break parts of the Chivalric Code in this story?
If so, list one part of the code he breaks?
What part of the code does Sir Gawain adhere to the most?
Chivalry Code:
To fear God and maintain His Church
To serve the liege lord in valour and faith
To protect the weak and defenceless
To give succour to widows and orphans
To refrain from the wanton giving of offence
To live by honour and for glory
To despise pecuniary reward
To fight for the welfare of all
To obey those placed in authority
To guard the honour 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 honour of women
Never to refuse a challenge from an equal
Never to turn the back upon a foe