1. Progressions:
• Stanza 1 and 2 – The year passes
• Stanza 3 – Another party and introduction to the knights at the round table
• Stanza 4 and 5 – Sir Gawain’s armor
• Stanza 6 – Sir Gawain’s shield
• Stanza 7 – Sir Gawain’s specific characteristics
• Stanza 8 – 11 – Sir Gawain’s travels
• Stanza 12 and 13 – Sir Gawain gets to the castle
• Stanza 13 – Sir Gawain gets into the castle
• Stanza 14 – Definition of the castle
• Stanza 15 and 16 – Definition of the feast
• Stanza 17 – Everyone disperses from the table and the description of the Lady
• Stanza 18 – Sir Gawain talks with the lord
• Stanza 19 – Christmas Feast and word play
• Stanza 20 – Celebration of St. John’s Day
• Stanza 21 – Sir Gawain talks with the Lord about staying until New Year’s Day
• Stanza 22 and 23 – Sir Gawain decides to stay until New Year’s and he promises to share what he gains just as the Lord has promised to do.
2. Games:• Stanza 3 – Another party and introduction to the knights at the round table
• Stanza 4 and 5 – Sir Gawain’s armor
• Stanza 6 – Sir Gawain’s shield
• Stanza 7 – Sir Gawain’s specific characteristics
• Stanza 8 – 11 – Sir Gawain’s travels
• Stanza 12 and 13 – Sir Gawain gets to the castle
• Stanza 13 – Sir Gawain gets into the castle
• Stanza 14 – Definition of the castle
• Stanza 15 and 16 – Definition of the feast
• Stanza 17 – Everyone disperses from the table and the description of the Lady
• Stanza 18 – Sir Gawain talks with the lord
• Stanza 19 – Christmas Feast and word play
• Stanza 20 – Celebration of St. John’s Day
• Stanza 21 – Sir Gawain talks with the Lord about staying until New Year’s Day
• Stanza 22 and 23 – Sir Gawain decides to stay until New Year’s and he promises to share what he gains just as the Lord has promised to do.
The games are a symbol of social behavior; the way they conduct themselves during the Christmas festivities. The festival games are used to show joy and being merry. Sir Gawain knows that he is going to die, or at least thinks that he is going to die. Sir Gawain feels that if he is going to die anyway he might as well enjoy himself. The Lord also makes a deal with Gawain. This could be interpreted as a game. The Lord is wanting to share his hunting game with Sir Gawain in exchange for what Sir Gawain receives at the castle. I think the point of the game is to help Sir Gawin become a truthful and trustworthy person. I think the Lord knows of what the Lady is doing and decides to go through with the game anyway. It is kind of funny he would share her like he is. I feel as though he might have had some knowledge that Gawain wouldn’t do anything with her. He exchanges his wife for meat.
3. Symbol and relate it to a theme:
Sir Gawain asked for a holy place to observe the Christmas tradition. He is almost immediately brought to the castle where he is taken in and allowed to spend Christmas. This fits into the theme of the Christian religion. He has faith in his religion and in God. He wants o survive through Christmas and spend it in an appropriate manor, which to him, would be serving and honoring God.
4. How is Gawain different in Fit 2 versus Fit 1:
He is presented stronger in Fit 2. He is very respected and considered one of the Great Knights of the Round Table. In Fit 1 Sir Gawain is describing himself as not much. He is being very humble. “You’re welcome to lodge here as long as you like.” The castle feels so honored to have Sir Gawain resting in its walls.
5. Setting:
The travels of Sir Gawain lead him to the castle. The land that he travels is called the realm of Logres. It leads him through lifeless pathways and dark hills. Often he got lead to opponents. Sometimes he fought dragons, wolves, bears, and many others. It was winter and really cold. It continued to rain cold rain. He hits cliffs and rocky mountains, dark woods and cold streams. His travels are brutal and almost kill him. The setting is used to show hard times for Sir Gawain.
