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Sir Gawain and the Green Knight · Chapters

Chapters explained

Chapter companions for Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by Anonymous.

  1. Chapter 1

    Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

    At a New Year's feast in Camelot, a mysterious Green Knight challenges the court to a beheading game. Sir Gawain accepts, beheads the knight, who then picks up his head and reminds Gawain to meet him at the Green Chapel in a year and a day.

  2. Chapter 2

    Fit I

    During the New Year's feast at Camelot, King Arthur awaits a marvel before eating. The Green Knight enters the hall, challenges the court to a beheading game, and Sir Gawain accepts on behalf of the king. Gawain beheads the Green Knight, who picks up his head and reminds Gawain of their covenant to meet at the Green Chapel in a year. The court marvels, and Arthur comforts the queen while Gawain prepares for his quest.

  3. Chapter 3

    Fit II

    Gawain takes his leave of the court and sets out on his perilous journey to find the Green Chapel. After a long and arduous ride through hostile lands, he arrives at a magnificent castle on Christmas Eve, where he is warmly welcomed by the lord, Bertilak de Hautdesert. Gawain learns that the Green Chapel is nearby, and Bertilak offers to guide him. They strike a bargain: Bertilak will give Gawain whatever he hunts in exchange for whatever Gawain gains at the castle.

  4. Chapter 4

    Fit III

    Gawain continues to be tempted by Lady Bertilak while the lord hunts. He resists her advances but accepts a green girdle that supposedly protects him from death, hiding it from the lord. The chapter ends with Gawain confessing and receiving absolution.

  5. Chapter 5

    Fit IV

    Gawain confronts the Green Knight at the Green Chapel. The Green Knight feints twice before nicking Gawain's neck, then reveals himself as Bertilak de Hautdesert. He explains that the entire test was orchestrated by Morgan le Fay, and that Gawain's only fault was accepting the green girdle out of fear for his life. Gawain confesses his cowardice and covetousness, but Bertilak absolves him and gives him the girdle as a token. Gawain returns to Camelot, where the court adopts the green baldric as a symbol of honor.

  6. Chapter 6

    Glossary

    A glossary of Middle English terms used in the poem, providing definitions and explanations for archaic words such as 'fey,' 'graith,' 'handsel,' and 'weird,' among others.

  7. Chapter 7

    Endnotes

    This chapter provides explanatory notes and references for the poem 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,' clarifying historical, linguistic, and literary allusions, including the origins of characters, the significance of certain terms, and the cultural context of the narrative.

  8. Chapter 8

    List of Illustrations

    A single illustration is listed: a left-handed interlaced, five-pointed star enclosed in a circle.