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Source: Burrows, J.A.AReading of Sir Gawain

and the GreenKnight. New York:

Barnes and Noble,1966.

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The Character

Courageous and braveFlawless example of Christian

chivalry

Flawed everyman

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Element of RomanceSet in a remote place and timeIncorporates the marvelous and

miraclesHero is superior to other men and his

environment

May involve Testing Plot

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Departs from RomanceCalendar time/ real placesHero is one of us, not superiorTester is split: Morgan and BercilakGawain fails the test because he is

human and sinful

Mixture of romance and realism

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Main Characters Arthur: King of CamelotSir Gawain: Representative, not electGreen Knight: Ambiguous nature

Green body-supernatural

Green and gold equipment-courtly

youthHolly bob-life and peace

Axe-war

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The GameGoverned by rulesTests important

knightly virtuesInvolves seeminglyinevitable death

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Code of ChivalryPosses faith in GodLoyal to people, principles, and

promisesWithout deceitUpright and Virtuous

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The Five VirtuesGenerosityCompanionablenessCourtesyPure mindCompassion

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Recognition

The Green Knight

The exchange game was the real test

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ConfessionShame and mortificationStatement of Sin: Gawain admits

cowardice, covetousness, anduntruth

Request for penance

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Condemnation

Gawain did sinSin was from love of life, not maliceProblem of shifting blame to women

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Thematic Points

Openness and ambiguityCombination of romance and realismGawain is human/sinful

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Sir Gawains human experience

Social livingAlienationSelf-discoveryDesolation

Recovery and Restoration