30 Questions
When does Gawain leave Arthur's court?
November
What color is Gawain's armor according to the text?
Gold and red
What appears on the outside of Gawain's shield according to the text?
A pentagon shape
What route does Gawain follow according to the text?
To the North of Wales
What does Gawain fear he will miss on December 24 according to the text?
His date of death
How is Gawain received in the castle according to the text?
With open arms
What two women does Gawain meet after evensong according to the text?
The Queen and her lady in waiting
Why does the poem begin with the Trojan War instead of King Arthur or Sir Gawain?
To introduce the theme of battle and heroism
What season of the year is it when the actual story begins?
Winter
Why is the season significant in the story?
It celebrates the new year
What night is it when the main events of Part 1 take place (line 60)?
New Year's Eve
Why won't Arthur eat his dinner yet?
He wants to send a knight on a quest
What is the most unusual thing about the man who rides into the hall?
His green attire
How does the man behave when he enters the hall?
He is arrogant and confident
What animal does the lord hunt on the first day?
A Dow/Deer, sweet and gentle
What does Gawain pretend to do while he is still in bed?
Sleep
What does the lady seem to have in mind when she uses a metaphor in lines 1210 ff?
A romantic relationship
What does the lord give Gawain when he returns home on the first day?
A green girdle
What animal does the lord hunt on the second day?
A wild boar, wild and aggressive
What does the lady complain about on the second day?
Gawain not falling in love with her
What does the lord give Gawain when he returns home on the second day?
A green girdle
Which color is associated with the Green Knight?
Green
What does Gawain do when the Green Knight raises the ax for the first time?
He flinches
What happens when the Green Knight raises the ax for the third time?
He makes a small cut on Gawain's neck
How does the Green Knight judge Gawain's performance during his tests?
He considers it a failure
Who is the old woman at the castle?
The lord's wife (queen)
What does the old woman want to do to Arthur's knights?
Test their chivalry
What does Gawain do with the girdle?
He wears it as a reminder
What is Gawain's attitude when he returns to court?
Proud
What does the court do about the girdle?
They take it away from Gawain
Study Notes
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Setting the Stage
- The story begins with the Trojan War, not King Arthur or Sir Gawain, to establish a sense of historical and mythical context.
- The actual story takes place in winter, which is significant because it symbolizes a time of change and moral testing.
Gawain's Journey
- Gawain leaves Arthur's court on All Souls' Day (November 1st) to fulfill his agreement with the Green Knight.
- He wears green armor and has a shield with a pentangle (a five-pointed star) on the outside.
- He follows a northerly route, guided by instructions from the Green Knight.
- Gawain fears he will miss Christmas (December 24) if he doesn't find the Green Knight's chapel.
The Castle and Its Inhabitants
- Gawain is warmly received in the castle, where he meets the lord and lady of the castle after evensong.
- The lord hunts deer on the first day and a boar on the second day.
- The lady seems to have seduction in mind when she uses a metaphor, speaking to Gawain while he is still in bed.
The Lord's Gifts and Gawain's Actions
- The lord gives Gawain a set of venison on the first day and a fox on the second day.
- Gawain pretends to sleep while the lady visits him in his room.
- The lord's wife tries to seduce Gawain, but he remains chaste.
The Green Knight and the Ax
- The Green Knight is associated with the color green.
- When the Green Knight raises the ax for the first time, Gawain flinches.
- On the third attempt, the Green Knight only nicks Gawain's neck.
The Old Woman and the Girdle
- The old woman at the castle is the lord's mother, who wants to test Arthur's knights.
- Gawain accepts the girdle from the lady, which becomes a symbol of his shame.
- He wears the girdle as a symbol of his failure.
Return to Court
- Gawain returns to court, ashamed of his actions.
- The court reacts to the girdle, which becomes a reminder of Gawain's moral failure.
Test your knowledge on the medieval poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" with this quiz! Explore the events surrounding Gawain's encounter with the Green Knight and his interactions with the lord. Discover how Gawain responds to the lord's arrangements for their next day together and find out what animal the lord hunts on the first day. Challenge yourself and see how well you remember this classic tale of chivalry and honor.
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