Although the Knights of the Round Table are initially praised for their reputation in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, their courage is frequently undermined. Discuss.

MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY

DIRECTIONS: Students are required to answer ONE question. Responses must be in essay form. The essay is valued at 20% of the total course mark and will be graded on content, organization, style, and mechanics.

Your essay should be five paragraphs long (minimum), though I do not expect a longer paper. Use Times New Roman (12 point) and double space throughout. Review files in the Effective Essay Writing module, as well as comments on your writing assignments, to prepare your answer.

DATE DUE: Sunday, 19 June at 11:59 pm (Newfoundland time) Upload your file to the appropriate Assignments folder. Only Word documents (doc and docx) are acceptable.
1. A central issue in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is trickery. Discuss the occasions when it is used, the practitioners, and the outcome. (Note that “issue” refers to “topic” or “theme” here.)

2. Although Sir Gawain and the Green Knight cannot be considered a mystery, the poet leaves many clues about the identity of the Green Knight. Discuss.

3. The funniest instance of entrapment in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight occurs when a naked Gawain is confined to bed during Lady Bertilak’s first visit to his chamber. By referring to other examples, discuss how this issue is developed in the poem. (Note that “issue” refers to “topic” or “theme” here.)

4. The focus of much Arthurian literature is on quests undertaken by the Knights of the Round Table.
By referring to the components of quest, discuss how Gawain’s journey can be considered an example of one.

5. Although the Knights of the Round Table are initially praised for their reputation in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, their courage is frequently undermined. Discuss.