ENGL 406 Lecture Notes - Pentagram, 5 Fingers, Cleanness
5 Sep 2013
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What themes are introduced in beginning that are carried throughout the poem (sir. Emphasis on honor and feudalism: honor bound male world codes of behavior, hospitality. Arthur wont eat until he"s encountered some fantastical thing: arthur expects things from his subjects. Arrogance/pride in arthur: image has gone to his head; they haven"t been challenged in their power, he feels invincible, expects something to come to him. Green knight wants to talk to the host; sir gawain steps up for arthur. Conditions of game beheading game challenge: blow for blow: come up and give me a blow but 12 months later i will also give you a blow. Arthur jumps in a desperate attempt to save face: no one else offered themselves, this is bad because it"s the knights that have to serve arthur and if something happens to arthur, the kingdom will fall apart. Gawain is a fighting warrior: as a character he is concerned with vows and honour.
