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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. During the feast, what does Queen Guinevere sit upon?

2. According to the Green Knight, when will the challenging knight receive his strikes?

3. During the summer, what kind of winds blows lightly on the seeds and herbs?

4. What will the successful knight receive from the Green Knight if he succeeds at trading strikes with the Green Knight?

5. At the opening of Chapter II of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, what color have the groves turned?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are those who bid Sir Gawain good luck on his journey saddened by his departure?

2. Instead of a battle, what does the Green Knight wish to do?

3. Why does Sir Gawain believe that he has been able to make his journey instead of dying prior to finding the Green Chapel?

4. Describe Sir Gawain's shield.

5. Why does Sir Gawain refuse to tell "the lord" where he got his kiss from?

6. What two things does the Green Knight hold in his hands?

7. Why is the Green Knight surprised by the lack of response to his challenge?

8. How is the Green Knight described as he first enters Arthur's castle?

9. What kinds of foes does Sir Gawain come across on his quest to find the Green Knight?

10. What rules does Arthur have regarding his eating at celebrations?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Scenery in "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" is important. This is shown through the author's attention to detail. To what could the scenery in the text be compared to? Options: Sir Gawain's mental state, the conflict between Gawain and the Green Knight, etc. Support your answer textually paying special attention to a direct comparison between the scenery and the compared object or person.

Essay Topic 2

The central conflict which Gawain must deal with in his quest is the one between nature and humanity. Describe the conflict that Sir Gawain has with nature and humanity. Where does this conflict stem from? Why does the conflict exist? What does he do to resolve the conflict?

Essay Topic 3

In what ways is the supernatural highlighted in both "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" and "Sir Orfeo"? How are the illustrations of the supernatural similar? Is the use of the supernatural consistent within both texts? Which text takes the supernatural to a more extreme level? For what purpose does it serve?

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This section contains 784 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample