If you are citizen of an European Union member nation, you may not use this service unless you are at least 16 years old.
You already know Dokkio is an AI-powered assistant to organize & manage your digital files & messages. Very soon, Dokkio will support Outlook as well as One Drive. Check it out today!

The Week Ahead in English Literature I

This version was saved 10 years, 2 months ago View current version Page history

Saved by Cyrus Mulready
on February 10, 2014 at 11:32:57 am

February 12-15: The Week Ahead in English Lit. I

Overview:

We turn to a discussion of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight this week (remember the image of the horseman holding his own head on the first day of class???). Please refer to the Schedule of Readings and Assignment Deadlines for specific reading assignments.

Assignments Due:

-No assignments due this week. I will be introducing our next short assignment.

Questions to Consider for Reading and Class Discussion:

For Tuesday:

-Pay careful attention to the opening of the story (the discussion of Troy and Rome). Why begin here? What is the story-teller doing by opening the tale with these stories?

-Also pay careful attention to the details we learn about Arthur's court in the first part ("FITT") of the story. What specifically do we learn about this place? Can you paint a mental picture of the court?

-Finally, look at the descriptions of the Green Knight on pages 189-190 (lines 150-230 or so). Does the knight fit in with the court?

For Friday:

-Look at the image of the five pointed star (and its description) around lines 635 of the text. What does it symbolize?

-What is the "game" that the Lord proposes he and Gawain play?

-At line 1679, the Lord says that he has "tested" Sir Gawain. What was the "test" (perhaps not as obvious of a question as it would seem!)? Did Gawain pass, according to the Lord? Does Gawain believe he "passed"? What do we think?