For our next class, read the first two chapters (called "Fits" by the poet) of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. When reading a poem, remember that you're reading more for how the poet tells the story rather than what happens, since the story is basically simple (see below):
FIT I: After a tiny introduction connecting ancient Rome to modern Britain, the poet brings us to Arthur's court at Camelot. There, they are having traditional New Year's feasts and games, and in the middle of this celebration, a strange Green Knight rides straight into the hall. He challenges the company to a game of his own, but no one takes him up on it, until Arthur, embarrassed, finally agrees to do it. But at the last minute, Gawain, his young nephew, volunteers. The game is simple: they take a chop at each other's heads, and whoever is left standing, wins. Gawain goes first and chops the Green Knight's head clean off. The Knight then picks up his head and says, "come find me in a year for your turn."
FIT II: A year passes, and Gawain is nervously awaiting his departure. No one wants him to leave, but he knows he has to go. Not much happens here, so note how the poet describes Gawain, Camelot, and the world he travels through. Gawain journeys for a long time and has many adventures, all of which are glossed over. He finally reaches a castle where a beautiful woman lives, the wife of a gracious lord. They put him up in fine style and the wife is clearly more than a little in love with him. The host says that they should play a game (uh-oh): that whatever one gets during the day, they have to give to the other at night. So the lord will go hunting and share with Gawain whatever he captures. But what will Gawain give him in return???
After you read both Fits, answer TWO of the following questions for Monday's class. Bring them to class with you if possible, either printed or handwritten.
Q1: How is the court of Camelot described/characterized by the poet? What kind of place is it? A utopia? Or a "ruin"? Is the Green Knight sent there as a punishment for their 'sins'? Or a test? Can we tell?
Q2: Look closely at Stanzas 7-10: why does the poet spend so much time—almost two entire pages—just describing him? What might he want us to see/understand about his appearance in the hall? What kind of 'man' is he? Is he a monster in the shape of a man, or a man who merely resembles a monster? Why might this be important?
Q3: According to the poem, why does the Green Knight come to challenge Arthur and his court? By barging in like this (and on a horse, no less), he’s breaking the laws of chivalry and being quite disrespectful. What would make him act so flagrantly toward the greatest king in the land?
Q4: Where do we see echoes of the poems we've read so far in class: Deor, The Ruin, and the Gnomic Verses? How do we know this poet share some of the values and aesthetics of those earlier poets? Where does it 'sound' or 'feel' the same? Be specific.
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