ENG 200-001

Fitt 1 Lines 87-89

Fitt 1 Lines 250-255

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

For my editing project, I have chosen to focus on lines 87-89, lines 137-174, and lines 250-255 from Fitt 1 of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. I have chosen these verses because they give insight into the nature of King Arthur and why he may have been so willing to allow the Green Knight into his court without asking any questions about him, his origin, or his reason for being there. Lines 237-274 describe the Green knight and his mysterious appearance. My goal for this project is to bring the reader a deeper understanding of King Arthur and the type of man that he was portrayed to be. As well as answering the question, "Why was King Arthur so willing to allow the Green Knight into his court, no questions asked?"

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Quoted concep: "He liked a life of action and couldn't abide long stretches of lying about or sitting idle; his blood burned, his restless mind roused him."

This quote is in reference to King Arthur, pictured above. It tells us that he was not the type to laze around all day. He enjoyed action and excitement.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Quoted Concept: "When there hove into the hall a hideous figure, square-built and bulky, full-fleshed from neck to thigh: The heaviest horseman in the world, the tallest as well, his loins and limbs so large and so long I think he may have been half-giant; anyway, I can say he was the mightiest of men and, astride his horse,* a handsome knight as well. But if he was broad of back and chest his build, mid-body, was elegantly slender, his face befitting his form, his bold lineaments cut clean. But the hue of his every feature stunned them: as could be seen, not only was this creature colossal, he was bright green- green all over, the man and his garments as well!* A surcoat snugged him tight at the waist and, over that, a tunic, closely trimmed inside with fine fur, the cloth resplendent and furnished with borders of bright ermine; the hood, turned back, looped from his coat-collar and was also lipped with fur. Neat stockings, tightly drawn up, clung to his calves, all green, and green also the spurs that hung below, and they glinted gold against the striped silk hose of his stockinged feet* fixed in the stirrups. And all his garments this unearthly green down to the bars of his belt, and the shining stones that richly studded the magnificent array around the saddle, and around himself: a silken ground the details of whose embroidery would be difficult to describe, with its delicate birds and butterflies in bright green, and a hem of hammered gold; the cords of the breast-harness, the beautiful crupper-cloth, the burnished bridle-stud of baked enamel, even the steel of the stirrups on which he stood, the saddle-bows and the broad saddle-skirts-- all glinted with the greenish glow of jewels; and the steed he rode of the same bright green strain:"

This excerpt from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight describes in vivid detail how the Green Knight appears when he first enters. He is a mysterious figure, no one knows who he is or where he has come from.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

"Well, sir, you’re surely welcome here. I am the master of this hall, and my name is Arthur. Do dismount and bide with us a while- whatever your wish, we’ll learn about it later.”

This verse describes the scene of King Arthur's very first interaction with the Green Knight. As you read, the King explicitly states, "whatever you wish, we'll learn about it later." This shows just how open to the excitement and mystery that the Green Knight brought when he entered. King Arthur had no thought of what the consequences of what the Green Knight wanted could possibly be.

• Crupper-cloth

  • Definition: A decorative or protective cloth that covers the crupper (a strap looped under a horse's tail to keep the saddle or other equipment from sliding forward). Often used in medieval horse trappings.

• Ermine

  • Definition: A type of white fur with black spots, originally from the winter coat of the stoat. It was used to decorate royal or noble garments, especially robes and cloaks, symbolizing wealth and nobility.

• Lieaments (likely a misspelling of “lineaments”)

  • Definition: Lineaments are the distinctive features or characteristics of the face or body. In older texts, it may refer to structure or form in general.

• Resplendent

  • Definition: Shining brilliantly; gleaming; splendid. Often used to describe someone or something that appears impressive or dazzling in appearance.

• Surcoat

  • Definition: A loose outer garment, often sleeveless, worn over armor. Common in medieval times, it often displayed the wearer's coat of arms.