Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
By: Sarah Maple
Background Information
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An alliterative poem
Likely written in the late fourteenth century.
Survives in a manuscript with three other poems: Pearl, Purity,
and Patience.
Little is known about the author, however, most believe him to
have been a university-trained clerk or the official of a provincial
estate. (the author is also known as the Pearl Poet or the
Gawain-poet.)
Writing Style
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Written in a dialect of Middle English, which is linked to
Britain’s Northwest Midlands.
Alliterative Revival
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Resurgence of a type of literature usually associated with northern
England.
Uses the alliterative verse form.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight serves as a testament to this style.
Poem Structure
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Implements Old English meter to connect the two halves of each
poetic line through alliteration.
Rhyme structure is also used in the stanzas.
Told in four “fitts”, or parts.
Weaves together at least three narrative strings that intersect as
the story unfolds.
Poem Structure
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“Bob and wheel”
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Metrical device typically occurring at the end of a stanza.
Derived from a technique used when spinning cloth.
The “bob” is a shorter line, sometimes only two syllables, and the
“wheel” is the longer line.
Spins the plot and narrative together in intricate ways.
Provides commentary on what has just happened, creates or fulfills
moments of suspense, serves as transitions to the next scene or idea.
Plot Summary
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During a New Year’s Eve feast, a strange figure, known as the Green Knight, pays the
court a visit. He challenges the group’s leader to a game in which whomever accepts the
challenge is allowed to strike the knight with his own axe, if and only if the challenger goes
out to find him one year later to receive a blow in return. King Arthur accepts the
challenge, and just before the King takes the axe, Sir Gawain volunteers himself for the
challenge. In one deadly blow, Sir Gawain beheads the knight. He picks up his severed
head, and rides away after reiterating the terms of the pact. A year passes and Sir Gawain
embarks on his journey to find the Green Knight. After much struggle, Sir Gawain prays
to find refuge, and comes across a castle, in which the lord welcomes him warmly. The host
makes a deal with the Sir Gawain: the host will go out hunting with his men everyday, and
whatever he comes back with will be traded with Sir Gawain with whatever he manages to
acquire at the castle. Sir Gawain agreed, and the next morning, the lord’s wife sneaks into
his bedroom and attempts to seduce him. Gawain refuses her.
Plot Summary
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But before leaving she was able to steal a kiss. That night at dinner, the host gives Sir
Gawain his game from hunting and in return, Sir Gawain gives him a kiss. The
second morning, the same events occurred, but this time, the lord’s wife stole two kisses.
Again that night, Sir Gawain gave the host two kisses in return. On the third day,
after the lord’s wife steals three kisses, she gives him a green girdle, which she says
possesses the magical ability to protect anyone from death. That evening, Sir Gawain
gives the host three kisses, but leaves out the girdle. The next day, Gawain leaves the
grounds and continues his journey searching for the Green Knight. He reaches a
crevice in a rock, and trusting his speculations, calls out for the Green Knight. He
appears, and meeting the contract’s expectations, feigns three blows to Gawain’s neck,
drawing blood on the third blow. The Green Knight reveals his name, Bertilak, and
his identity, the lord of the castle Gawain just left. He explains that Gawain did not
honestly exchange all of his winnings on the third day,
Plot Summary
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Bertilak then reveals the true nature of his intentions, that he was sent by
Morgan le Faye, Gawain’s aunt and King Arthur’s half sister, relying on
magic to transform his appearance. When Gawain returns to Arthur’s
court, he wears the girdle on his arm as a reminder of failure, and all the
knights join him by also wearing a girdle on their arm.
Themes
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Nature of chivalry:
– The poem adheres to the virtues of knights: chastity, courtesy, friendship,
generosity, and piety.
– These virtues are tested throughout the poem, and the question that remains is:
Can heavenly virtue operate in a fallen world?
– Gawain must come to terms with his own human nature, such as when he is
struggling on the journey and gives into prayer, which brings him upon the
castle.
– He must accept his own capability of error, and be aware of his own mortality
and weakness.
Works Cited
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"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight." SparkNotes. SparkNotes,
n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2013.
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"Alliterative Revival." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Oct.
2012. Web. 29 Jan. 2013.
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"Bob and Wheel." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Apr.
2012. Web. 29 Jan. 2013.