Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
medieval lilterature
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
by
The Pearl Poet
Teacher: Munson
Unit Level: Middle School
Unit Length: 3 weeks
Course Objectives:
1. To learn the elements and characteristics of Arthurian romance, such as chivalry and courtly love.
2. To learn poetic terms and methods, such as alliteration, the bob-and-wheel, and quatrain.
3. To learn about Arthurian symbolism.
4. To learn how to read poetry out-loud with emotive expression.
Course Materials:
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight translated by Burton Raffel.
King Arthur: His Life and Legends: an A&E Biography Video
Sword of the Valiant: The Legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (a film)
Activities:
Oral reading of the poem. Learn vocabulary and answer daily questions on the text. Participate in class discussions. Create a comic strip of some aspect of the poem or write a different ending to the poem. Watch the video about King Arthur’s life and see the film about Sir Gawain. Take a unit test on the poem. Write an essay on the poem.
Comic Strip: I will provide you with a handout for this activity.
Different ending to the poem: This must be in verse with alliteration and use the bob-and-wheel. You will read this to the class.
Unit Test: I will provide you with a study guide.
Essay: Choose one of the following to write on:
1. The five tenets of the chivalric code are friendship, generosity, chastity, courtesy, and piety. Compare this to your own personal moral code. Do you agree that each of these attributes is desirable? If not, why not? If so, why so? Be specific. This is a personal essay. You may write in 1st person.
2. Do a character sketch of Sir Gawain. Identify and discuss his strengths and weaknesses. Give examples from the poem to support your points. Did he act honorably and fulfill the challenge. Why or why not? Was he brave or a coward?
Evaluation: |
Daily work: reading, vocabulary, written work and discussion: 30% 30 |
Make a Comic Book or write a different ending to the poem 20% 20 % |
Unit Test: 20 % |
Essay 30 % |
100 % |
I have read the syllabus for Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
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