Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Part 1

When was SGGK written?

14th century

Who wrote SGGK?

unknown

How many lines?

2530

How many sections?

4

What is the first paragraph talking about?

The battle of Troy

When was the Battle of Troy

1199-1184 BC?

What is the second paragraph about?

The founding of Rome

When was Rome founded?

753 BC

What are the first two paragraphs doing?

Connecting the new to the old

What person is SGGK written in?

1st

What season is it when the book begins?

Winter

What are the citizens of Camelot celebrating?

Christmas

How long was Camelot's Christmas feast?

15 days

What does the author mean by "... it was springtime in Camelot, in the Christmas snow"?

it is winter, but they are incredibly cheerful and happy

Who is Arthur's wife and queen?

Guenevere

What is hanging behind above the heads of the King and Queen?

Silk tapestries

What does Arthur request before he eats?

He wants a story or a fight

What is a trifle?

a small scirmish

Who is sitting beside Guenevere?

Gawain

How are Arthur and Gawain related?

They are uncle and nephew

What is venison?

deer meat

Who enters the dining hall?

the Green Knight

Why is he called the Green Knight?

His skin, armor and weapons are green

What does the Green Knight's lack of shoes symbolize?

he comes in peace

What is embroidered into the Green Knight's armor?

birds and butterflies

What is the Green Knight carrying in his hands?

a branch of holly and an axe

How wide is the Green Knight's green axe?

4 feet

Is the Green Knight wearing anything that would show aggression such as a helmet, chestpiece, or any other armor?

NO

What does the Green Knight ask for at first?

Where their lord is

What has the Green Knight come for?

To play a game

What is the Green Knight's game?

The challenger will give him a blow with his axe and a year later he would return the blow with the same axe

Why does the Green Knight mock the knights?

They are renowned around the world and yet they are all too cowardly to play his game

Who accepts his challenge?

Arthur

Who takes the challenge for Arthur?

Gawain

Why does Gawain take the challenge for Arthur?

Because Arthur is more important than him

What does the Green Knight make Gawain swear to do?

To come to his home a year from that day and receive his blow.

What does Gawain do with the axe?

He cuts off the Knight's head

What happens to the head?

it is kicked around by the knights

What happens to the body?

It walks over to its head and picks it up

What does the headless-Green Knight tell Gawain to do?

To find the Green Chapel next Christmas or be called a coward

What happens after the Green Knight has left?

The party continues and the axe is put away