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toc =//Sir Gawain and the Green Knight:// Motifs= This space is dedicated to Dr. Swann's Topics in Literature and History class (Fall 2008) for their research into motifs in //Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.// The areas below are available for those students to post their findings as they re-read //SGGK// and look for references to their motifs.

Do not assume the others in your group will do all the work and you will just sit back and wait. I can and will access the posting history often to see who contributed what and when. These postings are to help you create your individual papers for //SGGK;// these postings will also be graded for effort and thoroughness. Share ideas, ask questions, and above all post lines from //SGGK// with your motifs in them, making sure to cite the line numbers as well. Happy hunting.


 * NOTE: Make sure that you cite line numbers (or at least page numbers) for each of your references to your motif in //SGGK.// For your paper, you will be expected to quote references and provide line numbers!**

__Wonders and Marvels__
//(Alexis Altolaguirre, Kendall Gregory / Amelia Fugitt)// Marvels and Wonders can be seen throughout the story in different areas in the beginning of the story a marvel is the marvel of the green knight and how tall and strong he appeared with the largest size, also have elegance and grace.

1.There are Five references to wonders and marvels. 2. There are so many because they show the idea of God and Gawain's belief in God and how he was saved by God.

3. The first was in the beginning of the book when the Green knight comes to Arthur's castle and gets beheaded but is still alive. The second was in the Marvel of the game that the Green knight was playing with Gawain.The third was when Gawain goes to confess his sins and when he is done, God shows him a castle in which he goes to and is saved.The foProxy-Connection: keep-alive Cache-Control: max-age=0 oxy-Connection: keep-alive Cache-Control: max-age=0 oxy-Connection: keep-alive Cache-Control: max-age=0 th was when Gawain obtains the green girdle and it is supposed to save his life and whoever wheres it is free from death.The fifth was when Gawain goes to see the Green Knight and he is struck by the axe and only came away with a cut and did not die. 4. The author included them to show the strength of Gawain and the valiance he had. He also included it to show the power of God and how the marvel and wonders saved Gawain's life. 5. Yes, there are discernible patterns in the event. It is obvious that the girdle for example with save Gawain from death from the Green Knight. All the Marvels seem to come in just exactly the perfect time to save him. 6. The meaning of the marvels is about power and valiance as well as God and his overbearing power and how it effected Gawain. 7. It is used symbolically because none of the marvels that happened really could have ever happened in the real life. The marvels were all far fetched but they all saved Gawain's life. 8. The story would be very different without the marvels and wonders because if not for them Gawain probably would not be alive. The story somewhat revolves around the marvels and wonders that come to Gawain.

__Fear__
//(Alex Fujimoto, Zach Reece / Kim Heintzelman, Mackenzie Suttles)// 6. Is there any special meaning connected with the detail you have been tracing**?
 * 1. How many references are there?**
 * There are two.
 * when the Knight enters (p.54) "afraid of no one"
 * Also, on page 51, there is a mention of the "fearless king"
 * page 123, the goddess wanted to prove that the round was not fearless, so she sent the green knight in hopes that the sight of his head cut off would kill king Arthur's queen with fear.
 * 2. Why are there so many, or so few?**
 * There are only two because Sir Gawain only encountered the green knight knowingly two times. Every time he talks to him he is one way or another fearful, especially in the beginning. Also This tale is not a frighting one, the general mood of this tale is whimsical.
 * 3. In what parts of the story do these references occur?**
 * In parts one and four, when they come in contact with each other.
 * 4. Why did the author include them?**
 * Both were used to show how well Sir Gawain did in his test of knighthood.
 * 5. Are there discernible patterns in their use?**
 * When Sir Gawain is faced with a life or death situation at the hands of the Green Knight. It is only used when describing Sir Gawain, he is the only one mentioned as having fear.
 * Sir Gawain, unlike king Arthur, showed courage. Giving Sir Gawain fear shows that he was courageous enough to rise above his fear,as opposed to King Arthur who did not have fear and consequentially did not have courage.
 * 7. Is it used realistically or symbolically?**
 * Fear is used realistically as a trait that knights can use as a test to become more chivalrous. He had to overcome his fear to prove himself a noble knight.
 * 8. What would the story be like without these references?**
 * Without Fear there would be no development of Sir Gawain and the whole story would ultimately have served no purpose.

__Agreements, Covenants and Bargains__
//(John Aldridge, Alex Herzog / Stephen Burns, Michael Capps)// __1. How many references are there?__ Six: "Axe/In hand Gawain approached the green man,/Who waited patient, calm, unmoving./Then he spoke to the knight "Before we proceed,/Friend, we ought to make everything clear./And I ask you, first, your name: speak it/Openly, and speak the truth." "In truth/It is Gawain who offers the stroke, and agrees,/No matter what happens, to accept a stroke/From you, in exactly a year, with whatever/Weapon you choose-from you, and only/From you!" (p. 59). Gawain and the Lord's wife have an agreement that he will give her a kiss after she sees him because it is the chivalric thing to do. Also, they agree not to tell anyone about the belt that she gives to him. This is Gawain's one mistake throughout the entire novel, and his reaction to this mistake (at the end of the book) shows even more of Gawain's character and morals. The second agreement shows that Gawain puts chivalry above anything else because he holds up his agreement with the wife, but breaks the agreement with the lord by not giving him all he had received that day. **Agreement between Arthur and Knights** ** They all agree that they will also wear a slanted belt around their waist to commemorate and glorify Sir Gawain. This also shows the unity of the Knights. If Gawain had been the only one who wore the belt he would have stood out and been an individual. **   __2. Why are there so many, or so few?__ Although there are only a few, they play an important role in the story. The fact that there are only a few agreements, might actually make those agreements more important by putting them in the spotlight. There may not be many, but, as stated above, they play a very important role. __3. In what parts of the story do these references occur?__ Parts I, II, III & IV __4. Why did the author include them?__ __5. Are there discernible patterns in their use?__ __6. Is there any special meaning connected with the detail you have been tracing?__ Agreements may show different aspects about the characters and my serve to symbolize bonds between characters, but I do not believe they have any special meaning. __7. Is it used realistically or symbolically?__ Other than possibly symbolizing bonds between characters, agreements are used more realistically. They are what they are. __8. What would the story be like without these references?__
 * Agreement between King Arthur and the Green Knight**
 * Arthur originally agrees to play the Green Knight's game until Gawain steps in (p. 56). This occasion is important because it enforces the pact of loyalty between a lord and his knight. It also brings up an interesting question: Why did King Arthur not fulfill his original promise to play the game, relinquishing his responsibility to Sir Gawain?
 * Arthur and Sir Gawain**
 * Gawain steps up to fight the Green Knight in place of Arthur, who originally volunteered, and by doing so proves himself as a loyal knight to the king and to his code of chivalry. In turn, Arthur surrenders the challenge of the Green Knight to him.
 * Agreement between Gawain and the Green Knight**
 * Agreement between Gawain and the Lord of the Castle**
 * Exchange the day's awards.
 * Gawain hides the magic girdle from the Host, breaking the pact.
 * Shows that Gawain has flaws, despite his "near perfection".
 * Agreement between Gawain and the Lord's Wife**
 * Bargain between Gawain and the Guide** "And so, good sir, leave him in peace,/In the name of God pick some different/Path! Ride wherever Christ takes you,/And I'll hurry home, and promise you, knight,/I swear by God and all His saints,/I'll swear by any oath you ask,/That I'll keep your secret, conceal this story/Forever, keep it from everyone on earth." (p114).
 * This bargain tests Gawain's integrity and loyalty to his previous pact with the Green Knight.
 * Gawain trusts the Guide's word; however, he fears that the guide could lie and brand him as a coward and a liar.
 * The agreements made help define the characters especially Sir Gawain. Types of agreements can determine one's moral standards, loyalty, and integrity. The agreements and how they are handled develop the reader's perception of a character.
 * The agreements also help show the goals of the characters. Obviously, Sir Gawain's goal is to to find the Green Chapel and come back alive. The other character's goals are a little harder to define, but these agreements help bring them to light.
 * The agreement made by the Green Knight and Gawain and the the agreement between the Host and Gawain are strikingly similar. Since the Green Knight and the Host are the same person, they both have the same motives and strategies when formulating their pacts. Both of these agreements are tests, exploring the true character of Sir Gawain.
 * The story would lack plot and character development if these references were omitted.

__Churches and Chapels__
//(Carole Malcolm, Brianne Sienon / Emily Drake, Lauren Merrin)// __1. How many references are there?__ Chapels: For chapels, there are several individual references throughout the story; however it basically revolves around three major references. It can be split up into this: 1)When Sir Gawain learns he has to go to the Green Chapel in one year to face his doom against the Green Knight's free swing at him. In this situation, the chapel represents Gawain's fear and future death. 2) For the second part, the reference is dealing with Sir Gawain on his journey to the Green Chapel. The chapel seems to become much less fearless as time goes on. Gawain seems to understand that he will die but knows that he has to keep his word. 3) The third part I believe is the Green Chapel after he has faced the Green Knight. The fear has left Sir Gawain and now is a remembrance of his shame and part of a story that he has to share. So despite the very frequent references to the Green Chapel, the main three revolve around the fear of Gawain and his upcoming death. --(Goes from fear for his doomsday, to his duty (less fear), to lastly no fear but a story of remembering his shame)

__2. Why are there so many, or so few?__There are this few that are important because its probably used to shape the story/ journey that Gawain takes. This forms his character as a Knight who experiences fear, but realizes his duty, and eventually excepts his flaw proudly from his trip to the Green Chapel.

__3. In what parts of the story do these references occur?__These occur in part one (Green Knight telling Sir Gawain to meet him at the Green Chapel in one year... Page 61), parts two and three (Gawain at the big castle on his journey to the Green Chapel... ex: pages 80, 91, 104-105), and part four when Sir Gawain meets the Knight at the Chapel (Page 114, 116, 121, 124).

__4. Why did the author include them?__ I t__hink that the author included them to create a plot line to the story and a journey for Sir Gawain to follow. In the beginning he is set up with this terrifying task he h __as to make in a year, then he makes the journey and has many interesting events happen on the way at the big castle, and then lastly meeting the Knight at this chapel and facing his doom. However the end reference to the chapel ties the whole story together and gives explanations to all our questions...Why he is green and has superficial qualities, why he came to him in the beginning, and why the Lord's wife acted the way she did. __ 5. Are there discernible patterns in their use? __ Pattern of changing fear and transition of story and Gawain's life. 6. Is there any special meaning connected with the detail you have been tracing? __7. Is it used realistically or symbolically?__ I think it's used both. Realistically because it shapes the story in Gawain's journey. And also symbolically, dealing with the relationship with fear and Gawain's character during the story. __8. What would the story be like without these references?__ Without the references to the Green Chapel, there wouldn't really be any reason for Gawain's journey or way of explaining his future death. We would lose the relationship to fear because there wouldn't be anything that would symbolize the "end" of his life.

__Wild Places__
//(Owen Brock, Alex Maloy / Joe Byrd, Dylan Connolly)// 1) He finds a castle in the wild which is the main wild place in the story. 2) He uses many references such as the terrible wilderness when he almost dies. 3) He references to the castle and the wild place in part II 4) The uses them as a lure for people to go the castle. It showed Sir Gawain who he really is in a time of destress 5)The strange forest that has no buildings. It has a strange mound or crevice 6) 7) The wilderness is a little bit of both but mainly it is symbolical because it shows how the knight is being tested. 8) The story would npt have really happened and everything would have changed

1) None in the first part. There is no specific reference to wild places in the story. However, during the second part of the story he is in the forest looking for the Green Knight and this is in my opinion a wild place. He is forced to confront dangerous creatures and endure the cold. You could also argue that the other castle is a wild place. It is unfamiliar to Gawain and it is wild because of the weird game and the fact that the wife is so willing to sleep with him. The Green chapel is defiantly a wild place because it is different from any other chapel in that it is not a chapel at all but a valley or a cave. It is a foreboding place that Gawain believed belonged to Satin. It is a wild place because things occur here that Gawain does not understand like the water boiling and the Green Knight. 2) Other than his time in Camelot the entire story takes place in a wild place. 3) Every part but the first.  4) It gives the reader a sense of foreboding and the suspension it provides helps lead up to Gawain’s confrontation with the GK. 5) Used to raise the suspense and lead up to the climax. 6). 7) Both used to describe how dangerous the land Gawain lives in and it also symbolizes how Gawain is very brave to go alone into these dangerous lands. 8.) The climax to the story would be very boring because it would be just him taking the challenge then easily traveling and meeting the green knight in an ordinary place. Without these references the reader would not be drawn into the story and the story would be very boring. =Shields and Armor= //(Will Byrd, Cam Loughery / Keaton Anderson, Michael Bowles)// 1) Counted around 43 references of shields and armor. 2) There are many references because Knights were the "Movie Stars" of the middle ages and when describing knights the first thing we think of is all the shiny armor they have on. 3) Shields and armor are mentioned in Part 1, beginning of part 2, and part 4. 4&5) The author included these references when talking about the knights armor as he put it on and took it off. 6) When it is time to stop relaxing and get to work Shields and armor are mentioned as Gawain is dressed before he sets out on a voyage. 7) Symbolically 8) Without Shields and Armor, the Knights would not have their ornated armor and shields which takes away from their intimidation factor. Also we would not find out the meaning behind the holy pentangle. 1.)A lot 2.)There were so many references, because of the symbolism of the color green. The Green Knight was wearing a lot of green clothing and his wife was wearing a green girtle which she gave to Sir Gawain. Sir Gawain and the rest of the knights ended up wearing green girtles in support of Sir Gaiwain. Also, all of the knights at the round table were wearing elaborate armor plates and using shields. 3.)The references were constant throughout the story. They were there to detail the knights at the roundtable, the Green Knight, when Sir Gawain was suiting up to get hit by the Green Knight, and when the king of the castle would put on his armor to go hunt. 4.)The armor was primarily described to add detail to the story and for symbolism. The color green was a symbol throughout the story. It started with the green knight and his green armor and ended with the green girtle of his wife. 5.)Yes, the color green is associated with the Green Knight and his wife. Otherwise, the armor of the knights at the roundtable is just elaborate like all knights. 6.) 7.) Realistically. 8.) Without these references we would not know what kind of a knight sir Gawain is. We would not know that he is the best knight.

__Cutting Tools and Cutting__
//(Mo Green, George Gwaltney / Kevin Kyle, John Moore)// George Gwaltney and Mo Green Pg. 54 lines 209-213 Pg. 56 lines 269, 287-290 Pg. 57 lines 326, 330 Pg. 58 lines 335, 369 Pg. 59 lines 374, 380-385,405 Pg. 60 lines 421, 323-326 1) A lot, approximatly 56 2) There are so many refrences to cutting because cutting is an important motif. Cutting is similar to "green" in the book because they are both very popular re-occuring events throughout the story. 3) All four 4) We think he used cutting so much because cutting is basically the only main action in the story. The climax in the story is when the Green Knight and Sir Gawain are cutting each others heads off. 5) Just about everytime cutting comes up, it usally has a very gorey and grusome description, either with the heads of the two or animals getting cut up for meals. 6) The people back then were custom to much more gore then people of today. Everytime people back then would have to prepare a meal with meat, they had to kill and clean out their bodies, so cutting and blood was not that big of a deal to people back then. 7) Realistically 8) Without the over use of cutting in the story, the reader wouldn't see people of this time's point of view on cutting and cutting tools, so the whole cutting my head off with the green knight sinario would seem really out of left field.

__Cold and Winter__
//(Cassidy Arant, Shamaz Denerson, Michelle Westmoreland)// 1. There are two references- they are both during New Years. 2. There are only two separate times in the book that the characters are worried or scared, and they are both during the cold seasons. 3. New Years takes place at the beginning and the very end of the story. 4. Because it symbolizes the emotional change of the characters throughout the seasons. The cold also interferes with Gawain's trip to find the Green Knight. 5. It's a pattern in how it is at the beginning of the story and then at the end. Also, winter and the Green Knight always enter the story at the same time. They are associated with each other. 6. The Winter season and the cold symbolizes how the emotions of the character. 7. Both because it show the emotional state of the characters through the season while still showing the true season in which the story takes place 8. Without these references the story would lack depth and wouldn't show the mood of the story.

"And winter winds back, as winter must,/ Just so./ Till the Michaelmas moon/ Promises snow-/ And Gawain soon/ Recalls what he has to do."(p. 66)

"And the fighting was hard, but the foul/ Winter was worse, so cold that rain/ Froze before it could fall to the earth;/ Sleeping in his armour, sleet came close/ To killing him" (p. 71)

__Heads__
//(Jay Curnin, Tucker Lansing / Reed Hailey, Will Holmes)// ReednWill: 1. There was only one main reference to heads in SGGK 2. There are very few references but they play a large role in SGGK 3. In the very beginning of the book 4. To show examples of wonders and marvels 5. Because of its limited use there is no pattern shown 6. Shows the knight is abnormal and immortal because his head was cut off and he picked it up and walks away while the head is still talking 7. It is used symbolically 8. It would be boring and not fantastical

Tucker and Jay 1. throughout the book, several references are made, not many though; but the main reference is in the beginning when the knight challenges Gawain to cut off his head, and if the knight lives, he gets to do it to Gawain in a year. Another main reference is in the end when Gawain meets the knight to try and cut off Gawain's head. 2. there aren't very many because it is only relevant in 2 main occurences. but heads is a major part of the story 3. these references occur in the beginning of the story when the initial challenges is given, and at the end when Gawain has to submit to the knight to cut off his head. there are few references throughout the book that don't necessarily pertain to the main usage of heads in the story 4. they are included because they play a big role in the story. when Gawain cuts off the knight's head and he lives, it shows the immortality and insignificance of the act to the knight. 5. there are a couple other uses of heads being cut off that don't pertain to the main plot, like when they are hunting, and they are preparing the deer, they cut off its head, the references are made to portray death. 6. the meaning of the cutting off of the head portrays an act that absolutely ends something. but the fact that it does not kill the knight shows the significance of the knight's power, because to normal men, cutting off the head means an absolute death. 7. it is used symbolically by showing the knight's immunity to the act and realistically by showing acts of cutting off heads that lead to death, and Gawain's fear of the act shows it being used realistically as well. 8. without the use of cutting off heads, the main acts of the story wouldnt exist.