Sir Gawain and the Green Knight – Reading Guide Name __________________________Class ___
Page 161
1.
Why do you think Gawain accepts this challenge in lines 5-7?
2.
What is the difference between the reactions of Arthur and Gawain and the rest of the people at the banquet?
What does this tell you about Gawain’s character?
3.
In lines 71-76, why do the woman’s advances cause such inner turmoil for Gawain?
4.
Why does the woman say Gawain’s response is the “cruelest” thing he could have said?
5.
Why does Gawain refuse the ring in lines 123-124?
6.
What color is the scarf? Why is this important?
7.
Does Gawain’s acceptance of the scarf and his pledge to keep it a secret from his host change your impressions of Gawain? Are his actions justified? Explain.
8.
What imagery suggests eeriness as Gawain searches out the Green Knight in lines 185-207?
9.
Why does the Green Knight keep Gawain waiting?
10.
Is Gawain really “the good”? Explain.
11.
What is the point of view of the story? What is the point of view in lines 234-237?
12.
Why don’t we learn what the ax looks like until lines 234-237?

13.
What do Gawain’s actions indicate about his character?
14.
How much does the jeering of the Green Knight add to Gawain’s punishment? How would you feel to have someone laugh at you like this?
15.
Why do you think the Green Knight stops the second blow? (lines 300-307)
16.
In lines 310-312, why does Gawain react only when he sees blood in the snow rather than when he feels the blade cut his neck?
17.
In lines 345-346, what do “he” and “it” refer to?
18.
How are the Green Knights 3 strokes a result of Gawain’s actions? i.
ii.
iii.
19.
What do you think is going through Gawain’s mind in lines 380-384? Remember in line 332, he is described as
“happier than any man on earth”. Why is he now ashamed and miserable?
20.
In what sense is Gawain thinking of the sash itself as he throws it off? In what sense is he thinking of something beyond the physical sash? What literary device is this?
21.
What characteristics of Romance literature are found in this selection? (See page 174 in the blue box.) Give examples of EACH characteristic.