For Next Monday & Wednesday: Fits III and IV

Sorry I had to cancel class on Friday, but there was no way I could stumble through class with my cough. I'm optimistic that a weekend of rest will help. For Monday, we'll return to Fit III, and do an in-class writing over an important event in the story. Here are some things to look out for as you read:

* There are three hunts and three attempts for the Wife to seduce Gawain...do these events share allegorical connections? Look at some of the language of each, and the ideas of hunting, trapping, outwitting, and being crafty. 

* Why does the Wife accuse Gawain of not being Gawain? How has he failed her image of the great 'lover' from Arthurian romances?

* It seems strange that Gawain, a great knight, lounges behind in bed while the Lord goes hunting with his men, and almost gets killed fighting the boar. How does the poet present this: as what would have been expected of a great knight (or guest), or somewhat questionable behavior?

* Do you think Gawain trangresses his oath to the Lord by keepin the girdle? It makes sense that he doesn't give it back, since he needs it, and the Wife striclty asked him not to speak of it (and he's supposed to serve her, right?). And yet, is this a significant ethical lapse for Gawain? 

Since you might have already read Fit III, I'm going to post the questions for Wednesday and Fit IV below, but they're NOT due until Wednesday. 

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: Fit IV

Answer TWO of the following:

Q1: Why does the poem suddenly introduce Morgan le Fay at the end of the poem? Was she behind this all along, as the Green Knight claims? Or is this a sleight of hand on the author's part, to reinforce the allegory? (in other words, can we trust the Green Knight's explanation--that this was really a test of Guenevere, and not Gawain at all?). 

Q2: Most importantly, does Gawain 'fail' in his final test with the Green Knight? Is the flinching a sign of cowardice or dishonor? How does the Green Knight judge him? Does Gawain agree? 

Q3: What do you make of Gawain's long rant against women? Is this another ancient work that seeks to throw women under the bus for the sins of men? Is the Lord's wife merely another Eve/Guenevere, etc. who is responsible for the 'fall' of men? Or is Gawain, himself, missing the point? 

Q4: Why do Arthur and all the knights decide to adopt the girdle themselves? Is this a way to erase his dishonor? Are they making fun of him? Is the whole thing a satire on the author's part?