Maisha's Brit Lit Journal

Le Morte d'Arthur/Sir Gawain Comparison The two texts both involve Sir Gawain and King Arthur, but their main difference lies in the representation of sir Gawain's character. While in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Sir Gawain outwardly shows a very self-deprecating and underconfident attitude, through his actions in the later parts of the book, he shows clear thought and comprehension of what he must do to solve or maintain his composure in a situation. An example of this can be the starting of the book with Gawain's deprecation of himself for claiming himself as less valued, and contrasting this attitude with his reaction to Queen Guinevere's attempts at seduction; where he perfectly balances his knightly composure by remaining chivalrous to her as well as preserving his chastity.  Contrarily, in Le Morte d'Arthur, Sir Gawain shows a much more grounded, rigid, and confident demeanor as he advises Arthur regarding his relationships with the traitor, Si...

The Book of Margery Kempe Questions 1) What kind of person does Kempe present herself to be, and for what purpose?  Support your answer with details from the text. 2) What conclusions can you draw about each of the following: a) Kempe's religious beliefs b) Kempe's illness c) English society in Kempe's time 3) Kempe undergoes a transformation during her illness.  What does this transformation symbolize? 4) Some critics feel that Kempe was mentally unstable and should not be taken seriously.  Others see her as a strong-minded woman who insisted on the validity of her own spiritual life.  Do you agree with either of these opinions or do you see Kempe differently? Why?

Le Morte d'Arthur Questions: 1. King Arthur trusted Sir Gawain's opinion more than Sir Lancelot--since he was a traitor, and Gawain advises against it.  2. King Arthur realizes issues bigger than a battle between him and Lancelot are taking place inside Britain: Sir Modred, his son, is trying to take over the rule of Britain without his permission; and so he returns. 3. When Arthur fights Modred, both troops lose most of their people, leaving only a handful of survivors including King Arthur and Sir Modred. Shortly after, Arthur gives a deathly blow to Modred and Modred fatally wounds Arthur in return. 5. In terms of internal conflict, King Arthur was affectionate to and trusted both Sir Lancelot and Sir Modred. But at some point, both of them betray his trust in different ways; which still, ultimately leads to Arthur having to physically fight them both; representing the external conflict of the situation. 9. The statement can be agreed with because, throughout the n...

Sir Gawain/Green Knight Fit 2: Discussion Questions 1) Look at the progression of each stanza in this section and briefly list/discuss in order what every stanza is about. Stanzas: 22. Change of seasons (Winter to Summer) and with it, the change in the surroundings of the setting. 23. A whole year goes by, and winter approaches again. This brings the time for Gawain to fight with the Green Knight. 24. King Arthur throws a farewell celebration for Gawain; where knights renowned to the people come to counsel him, and Gawain expresses his preparedness. 25. This stanza shows the weaponry and defense that Gawain is going to be carrying into his fight with the Green Knight. 26. The decoration that has been put up on Gawain's accessory and his horse; the grandeur of it and how greatly the King has taken preparation from his side, to give his thane a farewell for a cause he might not return from. 27. Gawain is given the Pentangle embossed shield, with its five points forged...

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight vocabulary words: Guerdon (noun):  a reward, recompense, or requital. Aghast (adjective):  struck with overwhelming shock or amazement; filled with sudden fright or horror Recreant  (adjective):  cowardly or craven. Roister  (verb):  to act in a swaggering, boisterous, or uproarious manner. Tryst  (noun):  an appointment to meet at a certain time and place, especially one made somewhat secretly by lovers. Largesse  (noun):  generous bestowal of gifts. Covetous  (adjective):  inordinately or wrongly desirous of wealth or possessions; greedy. Beldame  (noun):  an old woman, especially an ugly one; hag. Doughty  (adjective):  steadfastly courageous and resolute; valiant. Panoply  (noun):  a wide-ranging and impressive array or display Behest  (noun):  a command or directive. Respite  (noun):  a delay or cessation for a ...

Discussion questions: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight 1) When and where does the story start?  Why is the time of year important? The story takes place in Camelot during Christmas season. The season may apply a specific context to the story that will be brought up later on. 2) How is both the King and Queen described? The King: He is young, beardless and childish at heart. His choice of not eating without having everyone full and exaggerating his intentions show his childishness.  The Queen: Young and lovely. Silent and objectified presence. 3) How does the Green Knight behave?  What is the tone of his voice?  List some things he says. The Green Knight shows confidence about his proposal to Gawain like it's a regular thing for him. He doesn't consider anyone of King Arthur's warriors a match for him; his tone was dismissing and haughty. He said, " No, it is not combat I crave, for come to that,/On this bench only beardless boys are ...

Dialectical Journals 31-55 31. "That marked the end for Hygelac's son: his hospitality was mortally rewarded with wounds from a sword. " 2386 The son's of Ohthere came to Geatland and killed Hygelac, which led to Beowulf assuming power over the Geats. 32. "Then, in old age, at the end of his days among the Weather-Geats, he bequeathed to Wiglaf innumerable weapons." 2624 Wiglaf's father Weohstan received the weaponry from Onela, for ending the blood feud between the two families; Wiglaf then used it for the first time in battle while battling alongisde Beowulf against the dragon. 33. "No help or backing was to be had then but one of from his high-born comrades; that hand-picked troop broke ranks and ran for their lives to the safety of the wood." 2595 Beowulf's trusted and handpicked troops abandon him at the barest encounter with the dragon. This shows their disloyalty and lack of commitment and courage on their part. ...