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1、The Norman Period (1066-1350),Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,What are the features of Chinese culture at that time?,Historical Background,1066: King Harold -Duke William of Normandy.,Historical Background,The development of feudalism Knight: it originally meant no more than a household servant, liv
2、ing in the lords hall and to serve him in war, and when necessary, to fight for the king. Later, the great barons gave land to knights on condition that they should be ready to fight when called upon.,Historical Background,Churches: political power re-iteration of the Christian doctrine of the terro
3、rs of the Last Judgement; lyrics for the Christ or the Virgin Mary.,Romance,Definition: A tale in verse, embodying the life and adventures of knights, reflecting the spirit of chivalry, i.e, the quality and ideal of knight conduct. Contents: love chivalry religion Review: Characteristics of the Epic
4、 Poem 1. An epic poem is a long, highly-stylized narrative poem 2. that recounts the exploits of its main character the epic hero. 3. Because most epic poetry originated as sung or spoken verse, it is rigidly metered and rhymed.,Categories: The matter of France: Charlemagne the Great and Roland, Cha
5、nson de Roland. The matter of Rome: Alexander the Great and the siege of Troy. The matter of Britain: Arthurian legends, Sir Gawain, Launcelot, Merlin, the quest for the Holy Grail, the death of King Arthur.,Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,Tasks for students,Tell the story of Sir Gawain and the Gree
6、n Knight in your own words. Hints,author is anonymous written c. 1400 in Middle English Written in long alliterative lines with the rhyme scheme of ababa, in 101 stanzas important in literature because it represents all of the following significant poetic genres: Arthurian romance poetry/courtly lov
7、e poetry medieval alliterative poetry epic poetry,Major Characters,Sir Gawain,The storys protagonist. A loyal knight to King Arthur, as well as his nephew. Gawain goes on his quest to meet the Green Knight in order to uphold his knightly values.,The Green Knight,Sir Gawains main opposition in the st
8、ory. He is a richly decorated knight, who has green skin and hair.,King Arthur,The king of Camelot. Uncle of Sir Gawain. It is at his celebration feast that the Green Knight challenges the court to a game.,Bertilak de Hautdesert,The Lord of the castle at which Gawain spends his time before meeting t
9、he Green Knight. We learn his true identity at the end of the story.,Minor Characters,Bertilaks wife- During the competition between Gawain and her husband, she tests Gawains integrity and honesty,Settings,Camelot,The Holiday celebrations take place at King Arthurs castle in Camelot. It is here that
10、 the Green Knight challenges Gawain to exchange blows with him.,Bertilaks Home,On his quest to meet the Green Knight, Gawain stays here for a short period of time.,The Green Chapel,The supposed home of the Green Knight. Gawain is sent here to keep his end of the bargain which he made with the Green
11、Knight at Arthurs holiday celebration a year prior.,Major Conflict,Gawains struggle to decide between his duties as a knight and the worth of his own life.,Rising Action,Gawain accepts the Green Knights challenge and cuts off his head. The Green Knight survives the blow and Gawain is then required t
12、o maintain his half of the challenge.,Climax,Gawain meets the Green Knight at the Green Chapel. After faking his first two swings, the Green Knight nicks Gawain on his third swing, only slightly cutting his neck.,Falling Action,The Green Knight explains the mysteries of the story, which we will lear
13、n after reading.,Themes,Temptation and testing Hunting and seduction Nature and chivalry Games: beheading game Times and seasons,Journey = Quest,In medieval poetry, the epic heros journey to battle (like Achilles voyage to Troy or Beowulfs to Dane-land) becomes a quest. A quest is “an adventurous ex
14、pedition in search of something spiritually fulfilling or self-enhancing.”,Characteristics of Courtly Behavior-chivalry,“Chivalry” comes from the French cheval, or horse (n.b. Norman influence in language). Only the wealthiest people in medieval society could keep horses and afford to use them in co
15、mbat. “Chivalry” became associated, therefore, with the qualities of “horsemen”, or knights. related words: cavalier (Fr., L.), cavalry (from L. caval), caballero (Sp.),Faith in God/Piety Loyalty to the King Bravery Respect for women Chastity (see “piety” and “respect for women”),Sir Gawain and the
16、Green Knight as epic poetry,Review: Characteristics of the Epic Hero 1. He is a model of faith, loyalty, or bravery 2. who makes a long, difficult journey 3. to do battle on behalf of another 4. perhaps using his own supernatural talents 5. against an enemy who may himself have or be guarded by supernatural powers.,Symbolisms,Color green: nature, fertility, rebirth,In medieval symbology, red signifies humility as the blood of Christ,Girdle: sexual trophy To Lady Bertilak
