Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was written anonymously and first published in the late 14th century. The poem incorporates glorious descriptions of an imagined past as a backdrop for the test of Gawain and combines three elements of a chivalric romance: challenge, temptation, and an exchange of winnings.

Summary

Read one-minute Sparklet summaries, the detailed scene-by-scene Summary & Analysis, the Full Poem Summary, or the Full Poem Analysis of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

Characters

See a complete list of the characters in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and in-depth analyses of Sir Gawain and The Green Knight.

Literary Devices

Here is where you will find analysis of the main themes, motifs, and symbols in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

Quotes

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Deeper Study

Enhance your understanding of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by reading background information about the poem as well as mini essays about the agency of the host’s wife, the three reactions to Sir Gawain’s sin, and the importance of names in the poem.

Quick Quizzes

Test your knowledge of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight with these quiz questions.