Chapter I, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Summary

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is laid out in one-hundred and two stanzas, whereas the first quarter of the epic has twenty-one stanzas. The story opens with a focus on the setting. It begins with the siege and assault at Troy, the rise of the Roman Empires, its expansion across Europe to Britain. Britain rose under Felix Brutus with bold men and many marvels, including King Arthur.

King Arthur is in Camelot at Christmas at the Round Table with his men, who had been feasting. The author describes the feast of twelve days until New Year. There were competitions for prizes, debates, and merriment. Guinevere was graceful and beautiful. Arthur was noble, waiting to eat until others had been served. He did this in part to gather news...