Fit 4 Questions
1) Sir Gawain and the Green Knight can be viewed as a journey from life to death and back to life. Discuss how this works.
2) Sir Gawain is reborn both physically and spiritually at the end of the book how?
3) Whose Point of View are we suppose to exact at the end of the book? Why?
4) Is Gawain ruined as a knight or will we see great deeds from him again?
5) In your opinion who is really in control?
1. This journey from life to death and back to life can be seen in Gawain’s journey to the Castle. The journey starts in Camelot, traveling through the wilderness and in the castle, and ends with Gawain’s rebirth in Camelot. Camelot is a joyous place filled with happiness and games. It’s filled with life. He leaves this pleasant place however into the wilderness, which is cold and unforgiving like death. He goes to the castle and in his adventures he spiritually dies. You often see Gawain put his faith in God and Mary, for example his shield has the pentangle on one side and Mary on the other. The Christian ideas of reward from God after death can be seen in the answering of Gawain’s desperate prayers. He prays for a place to celebrate Christmas mass and the castle suddenly appears. ("in the midst of the woods, he saw a moated castle" ln. 763). The journey of rebirth is seen after he fails with the green knight and looses his pure spirit by using the Girdle. He returns home, and with no one caring of his cowardly actions, he is reborn.
2. Near the end of the story the Green Knight spears his life. It was originally a set up however but this can be seen as Gawain’s physical rebirth, with only a minor flesh wound instead of death. Gawain knows he chose the cowardly path by accepting the Green Girdle that would save him against the Green Knight, and he feels embarrassed and ruined as a honorable knight because of it. He is reborn after he fails to maintain his faith in god. When he returns home however, the people ignore his previous desires to live and so in a way he is given a second chance, or is spiritually reborn.
3. I think, at least in the end of the story, was someone in Camelot. It’s arguable that the point of view is taken by Gawain, however I find it unlikely that someone so embarrassed would write it so the people of Camelot were that tolerant of his cowardly act. The people of Camelot however see everything as game, with less concequences in life. They make his quest seem like a big game, and that it doesn’t even matter if he failed or not. This can be seen in this line, “Right then, that lords and ladies of the Round Table and all in their Brotherhood should wear a baldric bound cross-wise round them, a band of green…..be honored evermore.” (Line 2564)
4. Sir Gawain is most definitely ruined as a knight. He is mentally destroyed and spiritually lost and unstable. He will never be able to forget the dishonor that he has brought on himself and his king and people. With this Gawains first major adventure for fame and glory, he has failed his first task and with less confidence he will have less inspiration to try again. “But I shall see it always, as a sign of my fault wherever I ride, remembering with remorse, in times of pride how feeble is the fles, how petty and perverse.” He’s talking of the Girdle which he will always where to remind him of his failure. He will never live down what he has done. Gawain sias him self, “What’s done is done and cannot be undone.”
5. I think even though the Young Lady and Bertilak play large roles in the game, the Old Lady, or Morgan le Fay, is in control and is responsible for the sequence of the story. She is in charge and decides to play the game in the beginning.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Thomas Sir Gawain Questions
Answers: 1)
1. Theres a brief summary of the New Year’s feast in part one and the Green Knight’s game with King Arthur is described as his New year’s gift.
2. The change of season is elaborately described, from the cold season, to spring, to harvest, then back to winter.
3. On All Hallows’ Day, the knights of Camelot had one last feast and prepared to send Gawain off on his quest for the Green Chapel.
4. Gawain calls for his armor, and the armor itself is described in great detail.
5. Sir Gawain gets dressed and armored and prepares to leave on his voyage. He meets with King Arthur and people one last time and the poet describes Gawain’s horse.
6. The knights give Sir Gawain the shield, which has the pentangle on one side, which comprises five points with no end and the knights virtues.
7. The significance of the pentangle is explained. The five points represent generosity, good fellowship, cleanness, courtesy, and compassion. A picture of Mary is on the other side of the shield, whom Gawain puts his faith into.
8. Gawain sais goodbye and leaves athe court with sparks flying. The lords and ladies grieved for his absience and said he would have made a great leader.
9. Gawain enters the winlderness, traveling through North Wales and the west coast of England in search of the Green Chaple.
10. He encounters various foes throughout his journey, like wolves and dragons, and always defeats them. He sleeps in the cold in just his armor with many nightmares.
11. On Christmas Eve Gawain prays to mary that he can find a place to celebrate Christmas Mass.
12. He crosses himself three times and he looks up and sees a massive castle, surrounded by a green park and a moat. He heads toward the drawbridge.
13. The casltle is white with tall turrets and intricate carvings. Gawain salutes a guardian whom allows him to enter.
14. Gawain askes if he would pass a message to the lord and ask for lodging. The porter leaves and returns with many others for a proper greeting. Then welcomed him through the gates and guided him to the lords hall.
15. The calstles lord greets Gawain. He’s middle-aged with a thick beard and sturdy legs. He had a stocky figure with a fiery face, but with a gracious, gentle voice.
16. The lord takes Gawain to a rich chamber, where the have an amazing feast with food and wine.
17. The lords and ladies play games and celebrate late into the nigh. Gawains presence is praised by the Lord and people, for he is a renowed Knight of The Round Table.
18. Gawain meets the two ladies, one with great beauty, and the other old and ugly, complete opposite women.
19. Gawain talds to the lady, plays many fun games, and eventually retires for bed.
20. Christmas morning they have breakfast, Gawain sitting happily with the laday, and the Lord next to the Old Lady.
21. It was a joyful morning, and two more similar to the first quickly pass, and Gawain feels pressure to continue his quest. He respectfully tells his host he can’t stay any longer, for he has an engagement.
22. Gawain explains to the Lord he must leave to find a mysterious Green Chaple, and if he knows of such a place. The Lord gladly tells him this chaple is close and that he will stay with them three more days because he can get there in no time at all.
23. Gawain gladly agrees to stay until New Year’s. The Lord tells Gawain to stay in the Castle and rest up unitl mass.
24. The lord proposes a bargain. During the day Gawain will rest, meanwhile the host will go out and hunt with his men. At the end of each of the three days, they will exchange whatever they have obtained throughout the day. Gawain excepts, and the men kiss, they then go off to bed.
2. There are two main examples of this motif in the second part of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The first is the agreement to exchange any gifts that Sir Gawain and the Duke may obtain. The king will give what he catches in the hunt, and Sir Gawain will give anything he might find or receive in the castle. In the first hunt, the Duke kills a respectable deer. Sir Gawain receives one kiss from the Lady of the castle. On the second day the Duke kills a massive boar, and Gawain gives back to the Duke two kisses. On the third day however, the Duke brings back a small fox. Gawain, having received a green scarf that protects him from any blade, decides to keep the scarf, and instead give the Duke three kisses, that he did not actually receive. It was a dishonest exchange from Gawain, which is perhaps the reason the Duke brings back only a small fox. This fox can symbolize trickery, and dishonesty. Somehow the Duke new there wouldn’t be true exchange of gifts that day, possibly because it was a setup to begin with.
3. Sir Gawain is a religious man, and places his faith in Christianity. When he’s on his voyage, cold and alone, he prays to God and Mary, “That I might soon hear mass in a holy place.” “May Christ’s Cross lend me seed!” He’s asking to be quickly guided to a peaceful place to properly celebrate a holiday. Suddenly, “in the midst of the wood”, Sir Gawain sees a moated castle surrounded by massive trees, with great walls and structure. This castle was the result of his prayer. It symbolizes an answer to prayer. Sir Gawain asked and he received. He put his faith into God and was quickly rewarded with this castle. The castle representing this reward.
4. In the first section Gawain talks bad of himself as if he is less important. He tells King Arthur he is only a night, less important than a king, which is why he sacrifices himself. From my point of view, it was a courage’s, responsible, and modest decision made for the best of his king, and his people, even though he shows him self to be weak and less important. In the second section, everyone in the second castle talks of Sir Gawain as a famous knight, with an amazing reputation. He’s known as a night of the round table, and his name was popular. I see Sir Gawain as a modest, honorabe knight with high morals. He makes a inconsistent choice when he decides to keep the green scarf and lie the Duke. As cowardly as this is, I still feel he is an
honest knight who upholds the principles of the pentangle.
5. The story takes place at Camelot; the wilderness; the Duke’s castle.
Camelot is a silly place. There are many games, feasts, and dancing. Much joy is had at Camelot. The wilderness is cold and uncomfortable. Sir Gawain is spiritually lost there, which is why he prays for somewhere to properly spend the holidays. The Duke’s castle symbolizes the answer to prayer. It’s a massive castle and the people praise Sir Gawain for his reputation as a night. The castle has a mysterious, deceptful atmosphere.
1. Theres a brief summary of the New Year’s feast in part one and the Green Knight’s game with King Arthur is described as his New year’s gift.
2. The change of season is elaborately described, from the cold season, to spring, to harvest, then back to winter.
3. On All Hallows’ Day, the knights of Camelot had one last feast and prepared to send Gawain off on his quest for the Green Chapel.
4. Gawain calls for his armor, and the armor itself is described in great detail.
5. Sir Gawain gets dressed and armored and prepares to leave on his voyage. He meets with King Arthur and people one last time and the poet describes Gawain’s horse.
6. The knights give Sir Gawain the shield, which has the pentangle on one side, which comprises five points with no end and the knights virtues.
7. The significance of the pentangle is explained. The five points represent generosity, good fellowship, cleanness, courtesy, and compassion. A picture of Mary is on the other side of the shield, whom Gawain puts his faith into.
8. Gawain sais goodbye and leaves athe court with sparks flying. The lords and ladies grieved for his absience and said he would have made a great leader.
9. Gawain enters the winlderness, traveling through North Wales and the west coast of England in search of the Green Chaple.
10. He encounters various foes throughout his journey, like wolves and dragons, and always defeats them. He sleeps in the cold in just his armor with many nightmares.
11. On Christmas Eve Gawain prays to mary that he can find a place to celebrate Christmas Mass.
12. He crosses himself three times and he looks up and sees a massive castle, surrounded by a green park and a moat. He heads toward the drawbridge.
13. The casltle is white with tall turrets and intricate carvings. Gawain salutes a guardian whom allows him to enter.
14. Gawain askes if he would pass a message to the lord and ask for lodging. The porter leaves and returns with many others for a proper greeting. Then welcomed him through the gates and guided him to the lords hall.
15. The calstles lord greets Gawain. He’s middle-aged with a thick beard and sturdy legs. He had a stocky figure with a fiery face, but with a gracious, gentle voice.
16. The lord takes Gawain to a rich chamber, where the have an amazing feast with food and wine.
17. The lords and ladies play games and celebrate late into the nigh. Gawains presence is praised by the Lord and people, for he is a renowed Knight of The Round Table.
18. Gawain meets the two ladies, one with great beauty, and the other old and ugly, complete opposite women.
19. Gawain talds to the lady, plays many fun games, and eventually retires for bed.
20. Christmas morning they have breakfast, Gawain sitting happily with the laday, and the Lord next to the Old Lady.
21. It was a joyful morning, and two more similar to the first quickly pass, and Gawain feels pressure to continue his quest. He respectfully tells his host he can’t stay any longer, for he has an engagement.
22. Gawain explains to the Lord he must leave to find a mysterious Green Chaple, and if he knows of such a place. The Lord gladly tells him this chaple is close and that he will stay with them three more days because he can get there in no time at all.
23. Gawain gladly agrees to stay until New Year’s. The Lord tells Gawain to stay in the Castle and rest up unitl mass.
24. The lord proposes a bargain. During the day Gawain will rest, meanwhile the host will go out and hunt with his men. At the end of each of the three days, they will exchange whatever they have obtained throughout the day. Gawain excepts, and the men kiss, they then go off to bed.
2. There are two main examples of this motif in the second part of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The first is the agreement to exchange any gifts that Sir Gawain and the Duke may obtain. The king will give what he catches in the hunt, and Sir Gawain will give anything he might find or receive in the castle. In the first hunt, the Duke kills a respectable deer. Sir Gawain receives one kiss from the Lady of the castle. On the second day the Duke kills a massive boar, and Gawain gives back to the Duke two kisses. On the third day however, the Duke brings back a small fox. Gawain, having received a green scarf that protects him from any blade, decides to keep the scarf, and instead give the Duke three kisses, that he did not actually receive. It was a dishonest exchange from Gawain, which is perhaps the reason the Duke brings back only a small fox. This fox can symbolize trickery, and dishonesty. Somehow the Duke new there wouldn’t be true exchange of gifts that day, possibly because it was a setup to begin with.
3. Sir Gawain is a religious man, and places his faith in Christianity. When he’s on his voyage, cold and alone, he prays to God and Mary, “That I might soon hear mass in a holy place.” “May Christ’s Cross lend me seed!” He’s asking to be quickly guided to a peaceful place to properly celebrate a holiday. Suddenly, “in the midst of the wood”, Sir Gawain sees a moated castle surrounded by massive trees, with great walls and structure. This castle was the result of his prayer. It symbolizes an answer to prayer. Sir Gawain asked and he received. He put his faith into God and was quickly rewarded with this castle. The castle representing this reward.
4. In the first section Gawain talks bad of himself as if he is less important. He tells King Arthur he is only a night, less important than a king, which is why he sacrifices himself. From my point of view, it was a courage’s, responsible, and modest decision made for the best of his king, and his people, even though he shows him self to be weak and less important. In the second section, everyone in the second castle talks of Sir Gawain as a famous knight, with an amazing reputation. He’s known as a night of the round table, and his name was popular. I see Sir Gawain as a modest, honorabe knight with high morals. He makes a inconsistent choice when he decides to keep the green scarf and lie the Duke. As cowardly as this is, I still feel he is an
honest knight who upholds the principles of the pentangle.
5. The story takes place at Camelot; the wilderness; the Duke’s castle.
Camelot is a silly place. There are many games, feasts, and dancing. Much joy is had at Camelot. The wilderness is cold and uncomfortable. Sir Gawain is spiritually lost there, which is why he prays for somewhere to properly spend the holidays. The Duke’s castle symbolizes the answer to prayer. It’s a massive castle and the people praise Sir Gawain for his reputation as a night. The castle has a mysterious, deceptful atmosphere.
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