Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

A page from the original 14th century manuscript

Nero Vitellius

Manuscript History

• Exists only in one manuscript from the late 14th century

• Manuscript referred to as Cotton Nero A.x. [under the bust of Nero, top shelf (A), ten books over]

• Cotton Nero A.x. also contains three other poems (Pearl, Cleanness, and Patience)

• Anonymous author

• Sometimes called the “Pearl Poet” or the “Gawain Poet”

• Written in a Northern dialect

• Author obviously familiar with life of the nobility

Original manuscript illustration

(Which scene is this?)

Timeline

1066—William the Norman invades and

conquers England

Bayeux Tapestry 1077

410—Romans retreat from

England

991—Battle of Maldon

Viking/Anglo-Saxon Rule 410-1066 Norman Rule 1066-1154

Medieval Period 1154-1485

1347—Black Death kills 50% of the population

1154—An English King

(Henry II) back on the

throne

a little context

Long narrative poem Long narrative poem

About the exploits of a single hero who is usually the savior/protector of his people

The hero fights for an ideal, not to save his tribe. Usually goes on a quest.

Exists in a warrior/shame culture (don’t shame your family name!)

Exists in a courtly culture, where courtesy and reverence for women is as important as fighting skill

Realistic setting (even if fantastic elements exist, such as dragons). The places, people, and economic conditions are often real.

Idealization of places and people. Not meant to be realistic.

Ends in death of the hero (Glorious and Honorable!)

Happy ending! (almost always)

Epic vs. Romance

Courtly Love: "rules" that were developed to regulate the lovers' behaviors.

First appeared in medieval France.

Ideal is a man's unrequited (unreturned) love for a woman.

Usually the woman is the wife of another man —usually a nobleman or king (like King Arthur).

The lovelorn hero feels inferior to the woman, and he flatters her.

He desires to serve her, and does everything he can to be more worthy of her love (but they aren’t supposed to actually sleep together!).

fancy French Romance (happy knights on quests)

= Unusual Romance

Scary Celtic folklore (beheading games, exchanges of winnings)

+

Pentangle/infinite knot:

1. Five senses free of sin

2. Five fingers never failed him

3. Christ’s five wounds (all his earthly hope was in Christ)

4. Five Joys of Mary: Annunciation, Nativity, Resurrection, Ascension, and Assumption (from which his courage came)

5. Knightly virtues: generosity, fellowship, piety, chastity, and courtesy

Der Hl. Augustinus und der Teufel orDer Hl. Wolfgang und der Teufel 1471 -1475?