CHARACTERIZATION in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Characterization refers to the techniques used by writers to develop characters. The four basic methods of
characterization are:
 Physical description: The author may provide detailed descriptions of the character’s appearance and
physical characteristics.
 Narrator’s comments: The narrator can make direct comments about the character’s nature.
 Character’s speech, thoughts, feelings, and actions: A character’s nature may be revealed through his
or her own speech, thoughts, feelings, or actions.
 Other characters’ speech, thoughts, feelings, and actions: Other characters within a story can serve to
reveal a character by what they say, think, and feel and how they act toward the character.
As you read Sir Gawain, use the webs to give examples of the methods of characterization used. Use the web
below for Green Knight and the web on the back for Sir Gawain. Please include LINE NUMBERS to
indicate where you find your information.
Physical description:
Character’s speech, thoughts, actions:
Green Knight
Other characters’ speech, thoughts,
actions:
Narrator’s comments:
Physical description:
Character’s speech, thoughts, actions:
Sir Gawain
Other characters’ speech, thoughts,
actions:
Narrator’s comments: