Sir Gawain and the Green Knight · Chapter
Endnotes explained
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 th
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Truth and Deception
The notes highlight the Green Knight's skillful revelation of his identity as Bertilak, underscoring the theme of hidden truths and deceptive appearances.
Nature and the Supernatural
Morgan le Fay is described as a goddess high with supernatural powers taught by Merlin, linking the narrative to Celtic mythology and the supernatural.
Courtesy and Social Code
The notes discuss the influence of French amour courtois on knightly behavior and the elaborate social rituals of hunting and gift-giving at the castle.
Characters to notice
- Sir Gawain
Referenced in notes about his role as the 'Queen's Knight' and his interactions with the Green Knight.
- The Green Knight
Noted for the skillful revelation that he is the same as Gawain's host.
- King Arthur
Mentioned in the context of his practice of finding adventure on feast days and the seating at his court.
- Morgan le Fay
Identified as a goddess high, taught by Merlin to use supernatural powers, and linked to the old Celtic goddess Morgan.
- Bertilak de Hautdesert
Revealed as the same person as the Green Knight in the notes.
- Lady Bertilak
Referenced in notes about her role in the temptations and the exchange of winnings.
- Queen Guinevere
Mentioned in the context of Gawain sitting on her right as the 'Queen's Knight.'
- Bishop Baldwin
Noted as sitting at the end of the high table in Arthur's court.
Key passages
“Observe how skilfully the Green Knight reveals that he is the same man as Gawain’s host.”
Notice the clever way the Green Knight shows he is identical to the lord who hosted Gawain.
This note emphasizes the narrative twist and the theme of deception.
“Goddess high : because Merlin has taught her how to use supernatural powers. Morgan is the name of an old Celtic goddess.”
Morgan le Fay is called a high goddess because Merlin instructed her in magic; Morgan is derived from an ancient Celtic deity.
This explains Morgan's supernatural role and her mythological roots.
“Truest on earth : qualifies Aeneas, and not treachery, in spite of the curious parallel in the alliterative Destruction of Troy , 11, 350: “The trayn of the traytours that truly were fals,” where the reference is quite different, viz. to the surrender of Troy.”
This clarifies a potential misinterpretation of the poem's opening lines.
