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Is Sir Gawain a Typical Knight?

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Is Sir Gawain a Typical Knight? Lesson 3 – Is Sir Gawain a typical knight? Can you use your knowledge of knights to understand Gawain better? Can you demonstrate understanding of knightly principles? Send work to your teacher via Google Classroom, Google Drive or email. Activity 1 Read the following extract taken from the opening of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR PASSED BY, however, as seasons came and went, it was difficult for Gawain not to think from time to about the terrible fate he must face - sooner now, not later. Many a long night lay awake, willing time to slow but time neither waits nor hurries for any man. It was already Michaelmas (a saint’s day celebrated in September) and he knew he must soon leave and be on his way. His spirits were raised by the love of the king and by his brotherhood of knights. Gawain stayed as long as he could, up until All Saints' Day (a day in November to celebrate all known and unknown saints). The last night before he was to leave they held a great feast in his honour, and everyone at Camelot, lords and ladies, squires and servants, did all they could to keep him merry. But try as they might the jokes and the laughter seemed flat and forced, the smiles thin, for all of them realised this was likely to be the last time they would dine with brave Gawain. No knight in that court was more well-loved and honoured than he. Figure 1 - a medieval feast Bravely, but sadly, Gawain rose to his feet. “Uncle, good King, my dear friends," he said, “The time has come for me to say goodbye. You know where I have to go, what I have to do, and that God alone can save me and bring me home again. So pray for me. It's all you can do. Be sure that whatever happens, I will not dishonour you." One by one, each of them said their sad farewells: Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad, Sir Bors, every knight that was there, Queen Guinevere too, and all of the court, many of them weeping openly at this parting. Gawain put on as brave a face as he could. “A man must do and dare,” he said. “No more tears. I'll be back.” Early next morning, after a sleepless night filled with fears and doubts, Gawain rose early and called for his squire to fetch him his clothes and armour. They put on first his doublet and fur-lined cape, which they fastened round his neck against the cold. Next they strapped on his armour, all brightly polished, until he was covered in steel from his legs to his arms, and even his hands. Over it all hung a heavy scarlet surcoat, beautifully and cheerfully embroidered, and around his waist they tied a silken belt of peacock blue. With his gold spurs at his heels, and his sword in its sheath, he was as ready as he would ever be to face any foe. From his room, Gawain went Figure 3 - Gawain on Gringolet, straight to the chapel to say Mass, dressed in his armour and then at once to the courtyard to Gringolet, his waiting warhorse, who was as magnificently dressed and armoured as his master. Once he had settled in the saddle the servants handed him up his helmet. And what a helmet it was. Padded on the inside, it was Figure 2 - a chapel which Gawain visited to attend the holy, religious Mass service polished and jewelled on the outside. The neck guard was strong enough to save him from even the most terrible of blows to the head. Once he had buckled on his helmet he was handed his shield, with his own coat of arms embossed upon it. This was a gold pentangle, a five- pointed star, each point representing a virtue to which any true knight must aspire: loving kindness, integrity, chivalry, loyalty and holiness. And etched on the back of the shield, where he could see it at a glance if ever his courage failed him, was the face of the Blessed Virgin Mary herself. Now as the snow fell about him he said his last farewell to his uncle and his king, who handed him his spear. “God go with you, nephew.” said the High King. “Godspeed!" the servants cried, every one of them Figure 4 - Gawain's shield sick at heart. Not one of them believed they would with a gold pentangle on ever set eyes on him again. the front Once across the drawbridge, Gawain determined to put all his nagging fears behind him. a) What does Morpurgo mean when he writes that Gawain’s ‘spirits were raised by the love of the king and by his brotherhood of knights.’? b) If the King and other knights love Gawain, what does this suggest Figure 5 - a drawbridge about their opinion of him? c) What does the noun ‘brotherhood’ mean? What does this noun suggest about the relationship between knights? d) There are squires at the feats. What is a squire? e) In the first paragraph, find evidence to prove that Gawain was respected and admired by the people? f) Gawain says that he will not ‘dishonour’ them. What kind of actions would be considered dishonourable? g) Gawain stands up ‘Bravely, but sadly,’ Does this mean he is a typical or atypical knight? h) What did Gawain do to prepare? What did he take with him to ensure he was ready for his challenge? i) What do Gawain’s 5 virtues mean? j) Find evidence that Sir Gawain is a holy man, as all knights should be. Activity 2 Gawain has 5 principles that he lives his life by that have been inspired by the medieval knights’ code of chivalry. We learnt about the code of chivalry Lesson 1, it is a set of rules and expectations that knights had to follow and meet. It was designed to help guide knights on how to live a virtuous and moral life. k) Do you think a code of chivalry is still relevant today? l) If you were to write a new code, what would you call it? m) What would you include in the expectations? n) If you had to write a code for Falinge Park High School, what would you call it and what expectations would you have in it? Activity 3 Gawain had the 5 principles (expectations) he thought were most important to him on his shield. They gave him constant guidance on how to behave and act in his everyday life. By having these principles, he was able to remind himself about how a knight should behave. Pick five principles (values or expectations) that are important to you and explain why. Use the example below to steal sentence starters to help with your writing. For example: One of my principles is solidarity. Solidarity means supporting one another and remaining resilient against people who try to tear you down. It is one of my principles because I think society would be more harmonious if we were all working together and supporting each other. One of my principles is…. …means…. It is one of my principles because… Activity 4 Design your own shield that represents you and your 5 chosen principles. Below are the colours and patterns that were typically used on the shields of medieval knights to inspire you but you can use any colours or patterns that best represent you and your principles. .
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