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Sir Gawain and the Green Knight&Arthurian LegendAuthor Anonymous (or the Pearl Poet)ca. 1380Medieval (Middle Ages)

Pearl Poet or the Gawain Poet

Authorship for SGGK is typically considered anonymous, or it is attributed to a mysterious, unknown poet since named The Pearl Poet.This poet wrote an alliterative poem titled The Pearl, and a similar dialect and style is present in several other works, including SGGK.He was certainly English and spoke and wrote in Middle English.This poet is sometimes referred to as the Gawain Poet.Sir Gawain and the Green KnightThis poet seems to have been a follower of Chaucer. He seems to have a knowledge of Christian theology and a deep vocabulary and poetic sense. There is still no agreement, however, on the authorship of SGGK.2Time Period

Medieval (Middle Ages) ca. 476 A.D. 1453 A.D. This is the time between antiquity (Classical Greece, the Roman Empire, etc.) and the Renaissance.More specifically, 476 A.D. marks the fall of the Western Roman Empire and 1453 A.D. marks the fall of the Eastern Roman Empire and a rebirth of the cultural movements of antiquity.The Middle Ages stretches the period between, and encompasses a great deal of literature of both secular and religious works, including adventure narratives.Sir Gawain and the Green KnightThe Middle Ages is a millennium-long period that spans all of Europe in terms of culture. Gawain and the Green Knight would fit into the high Middle Ages.3Adventure Narratives of the Middle AgesAdventure narratives in this time period were dominated by stories from three areas or matters: The Matter of Rome: stories of ancient Roman heroes involved in exciting adventure, physical or involving love RomanceSir Gawain and the Green Knight

Adventure Narratives of the Middle Ages

The Matter of France: stories involving the French hero Roland (Orlando in Italian).The Matter of Britain: stories involving chivalry, especially that of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (Camelot) or Arthurian Legend.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Arthurian Legend

Somehow the Arthurian legends actually developed in the ancient world, probably with the Celts who would eventually make up Britain.Basic elements of the Arthurian legend were first introduced into the literary world by Geoffrey of Monmouths History of the Kings of Britain (ca. 1139)Poetic translation of Roman de Brut by Layamon introduced the legends of Excalibur (famous sword)French author Chretien de Troyes introduced LancelotThe English Knight Sir Thomas Malory codified the Arthur legends in Morte DArthur (1485)The Arthurian Legend The Past and PresentSir Gawain and the Green KnightThe Legend of King ArthurA vast complex of stories center around King Arthur and his court. Even if we are not familiar with the different stories, the names associated with Arthur and his court are familiar: Sir Lancelot, Sir Gawain, Queen Guenevere, Merlin the Magician, the Round Table, Camelot.A historical "Arthur" may have existed as a Celtic cavalry leader who fought against invading Saxon forces in the early 6th century.The Celts had a history of defeats, and Arthur was probably a "heroic creation of a defeated people." The Arthurian legend provided England with an aristocratic myth of its past glories.7Arthurian Legend Today

*Arthurian legends even last to today with pop culture taking on the Matter of Britain (e.g., Disneys The Sword in the Stone, Broadways Camelot, First Knight, and in satire, Monty Pythons Holy Grail)

The Arthurian Legend The Past and Present

Chivalric Ideal: The Knights of the Round Table werethe most famous for this behavior in the Middle Ages.

The classic definition of chivalry: men were brave, had honor, and showed gallantry towards women; Christian values in warfare (rules of engagement because the enemy is my brother); usually a good lover; courtesy to all people is keybeing a gentleman in all situations is important; willing to sacrifice yourself for your lord and ladies (for the weak).Arthurian Legend and Chivalry

Courtly Love

Courtly Love: the love a knighthas for a woman who is generally not his wife. It is a love from afar and it is usually very superficial (it is often explained, for example, with a knight who is struck by cupids arrow as he sees a beautiful maiden walking out of a castle.Arthurian Legend

Courtly Love

Courtly Love is also generally unattainable (at most, the knight may get a kiss, but that is all). Often the maiden is married to the King (e.g., Arthur & Guinevere and then Lancelot comes into the picture).Courtly Love creates a situation where the knight seeks to impress the lady from afar by doing brave deeds and being the perfect gentleman (showing great chivalry).Arthurian LegendElements of the Legends and This Story

Medieval romances (adventures) were frequently episodic as is the case with the Arthurian legends.The best of these stories are carefully constructed (not at random) and the details tend to count.SGGK is an example of this because it combines two distinct sort of adventures (the beheading contest and the events at Bercilaks castle) .Gawains trouthe (his real character) is repeatedly tested in this as well as his loyalty: to Arthur and to the chivalric code.Sir Gawain and the Green KnightElements of the Legends and This Story

Christian themes are major themes in the story, because not only is the poet a Christian, but the knights are as well.Its important to understand that the poet may not always be agreeing with the chivalric code.Strangely, however, there are pagan Celtic themes as well, especially in dealing with nature and magical elements.What is particularly important is the nature of Gawains trouthe or his true character, symbolized by the star on his shield or Pentangle.Sir Gawain and the Green KnightWhat the Pentangle symbolizes:

1. Five Senses Faultless2. Five Fingers That Never Failed3. Five Wounds of Christ4. Five Joys of Mary:A. AnnunciationB. NativityC. ResurrectionD. AscensionE. Assumption5. Gawains Virtues (boundless beneficence (being kind and charitable), brotherly love, pure mind, manners, & compassion)The Pentangle in SGGK

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