## Task 2: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

In this task you are going to focus on a completely different medieval work of fiction: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. It is a late 14th-century chivalric romance, one of the best-known Arthurian stories.

Originally this was a long poem in four parts. For most people it is almost impossible to understand the Middlle English in which it was written, as you in the original text below. That is why most people read a modern translation.

Assignment 1: language

What writing technique does this extract have in common with the original version of Beowulf?

Assignment 2: Germanic versus Arthurian hero

Now read the background information on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight in your Poems and Extracts reader. In what way is an Arthurian knight like Gawain different from a Germanic hero like Beowulf? Mention two differences and explain your answer.

Assignment 3: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Read the abridged version of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight in your Poems and Extracts reader, as well as the Code of Chivalry below.

1. How does Sir Gawain sin and what is his punishment?

2. Several of these codes can be applied to Sir Gawain. Make a list of the five most important codes and support your choices with examples from the text.