Sir Gawain and the Green Knight plus introduction to Arthur.

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4,5

Lesson aims: 

- Learn the basics about king Arthur and the Knights of the round table. 

- Learn  about chivalry

- Hear about the first adventures of Sir Gawain

- Take a look at the text in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. 

Watch the following video for an introduction of Arthur and his knights of the round table. 

Read the introduction in your reader about Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (see the studiewijzer).

Then answer the following questions. 

Who is Sir Gawain?

What is Sir Gawain meant to portray?

What are the most important virtues for a knight?

An important feature of Arthurian Legend is the concept of Chivalry. 

Answer the questions on the next two slides. Or, if you don't remember, go online to find the answers. 

1. What is chivalry ?

2. What are the most important rules of chivalry?

Watch the video for a short description of the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight 

Now read Background: The story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (p.6)

When does the story begin?

1. Christmas Eve
2. Christmas Day
3. New Year's Eve
4. New Year's Day

Which two colors are mentioned in the opening lanes and what do they represent?

A huge green knight enters the castle and challenges the knights. What is the challenge?

1. He wants them to take a swing at him with his own axe
2. He wants to hit them with an axe
3. He wants them to follow him to the Green Chapel
4. He wants to see them again a year and a day later

Why does Gawain volunteer?

1. Because King Arthur tells him to
2. Because he is in love with Queen Guinevere and wants to impress her.
3. Because he thinks he is useless and expendable
4. Because he wants to show off his bravery

What happens after Gawain decapitates the Green Knight?

1. The Green Knight dies
2. The Green Knight gets up and leaves without his head.
3. The Green Knight gets up, picks up his head and leaves
4. The Green Knight picks up his head, promises to meet Gawain a year and a day later and leaves.

When does Gawain set out to meet the Green Knight?

1. On Christmas Day
2. On New Year's Eve
3. On All Saint's Day
4. On All Hallow's Day

Gawain takes a vow of chastity before he leaves. What is chastity?

1. No food
2. No drink
3. No killing
4. No sex

Why does Gawain stay behind at the castle instead of going on a hunt with the lord of the castle?

1. He doesn't like to kill animals
2. He is tired and needs to rest
3. He is afraid he will run into the Green Knight
4. He wants to seduce the lady of the castle

Which word best describes the arrangement Gawain and the lord of the castle make?

1. Reciprocity
2. Cowardice
3. Insanity
4. Arrogance

What does Gawain give to the lord on the first day in exchange for the deer?

What is the green girdle supposed to do?

1. Make one rich
2. Make one strong
3. Make one invincible
4. Make one live longer

How does Gawain break the code of chivalry?

What moral failings does Gawain show in his confrontation with the Green Knight?