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Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
p. 169-183
39
English
12th Grade
09/23/2013

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Cards

Term
chivalry
Definition
a code of honorable behavior
Term
legend
Definition
anonymous traditional stories about the past that may have been inspired by real events and people
Term
medieval romances
Definition
adventure stories with kings, knights, and damsels in distress
Term
Legends often feature what 3 things
Definition
1. heroic figures and memorable deeds
2. quests, or searches for something important; contests; and tests
3. patterns, such as events repeated three times
Term
medieval writers created romances by adding to legends such elements as
Definition
vivid descriptions
plot twists
accounts of the reactions and motives of characters
Term
adjure
Definition
request solemnly; appeal to earnestly
Term
adroitly
Definition
with physical or mental skill
Term
largesse
Definition
nobility of spirit
Term
entreated
Definition
made an earnest appeal; pleaded
Term
peril
Definition
exposure to harm or injury
Term
interred
Definition
buried in the earth
Term
feudalism
Definition
a system both of government and of land ownership. In exchange for a nobleman's oath of loyalty, a king would give him lands. The nobleman rules these lands, judging legal cases, imposing taxes, and maintaining an army - powers granted him in exchange for his promise of loyalty to his king
Term
code of chivalry
Definition
code that demanded that knights be brave warriors and virtuous Christians who would selflessly fight for justice
Term
King Arthur and his knights
Definition
the ideals of chivalry gave rise to legends and songs, such as the tales of King Arthur and his knights of the Round table. In the eleventh century, as feudalism established itself throughout Europe, stories about Arthur's court became widespread
Term
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Definition
In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, a medieval poem, the chivalry of Gawain, Arthur's loyal nephew, is tested by three challenges. In meeting them, Gawain proves admirable but not invulnerable. As one critic writes, the hero "gains in human credibility what he loses in ideal perfection". The poet, Sir Gawain, wrote with a combination of humor and fervent details and helped shape an enduring vision of personal integrity
Term
What is the setting at the beginning of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Definition
It begins at the start of a New Year's Eve feast at King Arthur's Court in Camelot. Before anyone started eating, the festivities are interrupted by an immense green knight who suddenly appears the the hall door. The knight rides a green horse and is armed with a gigantic ax.
Term
Who was Sir Gawain?
Definition
King Arthur's nephew and one if his most loyal knights. He is modest and seeks to improve his inner self in the poem.
Term
What was Gawain's flaw?
Definition
Gawain had humility, piety, integrity, loyalty and honesty but his only flaw was that he loves his own life so much that he will lie in order to protect himself. Gawain leaves the Green Chapel penitent and changed.
Term
Who was the Green Knight?
Definition
mysterious visitor to Camelot. He says he comes in friendship, not wanting to fight, but the friendly game he proposes it quite deadly. He places great importance on verbal contracts. He seems to symbolize the natural world, in that he is killed and reborn as part of a cycle. In the end the reader discovers that the Green Knight is actually Bertilak.
Term
In the opening scene, what holiday is being celebrated?
Definition
New Year's eve
Term
When Gawain departs to find Green Knight a year later, which holiday does he spend with Bertilak (Green Knight)?
Definition
Christmas
Term
What is the big surprize for Gawain at the end of the story?
Definition
The Green knight is Bertilak
Term
Who is Morgan le Faye?
Definition
half sister of King Arthur and the old woman at Bertilak's castle; she controlled the poem's action from beginning to end. As she often does in Arthurian lit, Morgan appears as an enemy of Camelot, one who aims to cause as much trouble for her half brother and his followers as she can.
Term
Who is King Arthur?
Definition
king of Camelot
Term
what is king Arthur's initial reaction to the Green Knight's challenge
Definition
Stunned at first but then he steps forward to take the challenge (bravery).
Term
What is Gawain's horse's name
Definition
Gringolet
Term
Why does Gawain wear the green girdle at the end of the poem?
Definition
He lied on the third day to Bertilak. He told him about the 3 kisses but not the girdle. out of shame is wears the gridle from then on. The other knights and the king also wear them to support Gawain.
Term
Where do Gawain and the other knights wear the girdle?
Definition
on their arms
Term
What were some of the virtues Gawain had?
Definition
Honesty, integrity - even though he didn't know about the Green Knight's supernatural powers at the start of the deal, he didn't back out of the committment. He has fears and anxiety, but his desire to maintain his personal dignity is stronger
Term
What was so special about the green girdle?
Definition
Bertilak's wife tells Gawain that is has magical powers and will protect him. But it eventually becomes a symbol of his sin (lying) and he wears it and that is a symbol of goodness.
Term
How does Gawain change by the end of the poem?
Definition
he is humbled and realizes his own faults and has to live up to the fact that he will never live up to his own high standards
Term
Does the Green Knight die when Gawain beheads him?
Definition
no, he picks up his head, continues talking and rides away
Term
How does the Green Knight character change from the start of the poem to the end?
Definition
In the beginning he is a supernatural scary character. In the end he is a polite host of the castle and treats Gawain very well.
Term
a year later, where does Gawain go to find the Green Knight?
Definition
Green Chapel - which is Bertilak's castle
Term
How do the knights first respond to the Green Knight's challenge
Definition
They are all very quiet and scared. Then after a few minutes King Arthur accepts the challenge but Gawain jumps up and takes it first (he is extremely loyal to the king)
Term
Sir Thomas Mallory
Definition
famous author who was also a convicted felon who spent much of his life in jail
Term
Why does King Arthur travel to France in Morte D'Arthur?
Definition
Gawain insisted so that he could besiege his former friend and knight, Lancelot, for his involvement with Queen Geunevere
Term
Is King Arthur sucessful at punishing Lancelot?
Definition
not really, at first it is half-hearted and then he gives up all together because he learns that Mordred,his illegitimate son has seized control of England. Arthur leads his forces back to England and Mordred attacks them upon landing. Gawain is killed, but before he dies, he manages to get word to Lancelot that Arthur is in need of his assistance.
Term
What is the relationship between Arthur and Mordred?
Definition
Mordred is Arthur's illegitimate son.
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