A few ideas to consider as you read Parts III and IV:
* How are the various episodes of the hunt allegorical for what's going on in the house? Is Gawain being hunted? Is he the fox? Is he also 'slain'?
* Be on the lookout for "loops," "knots," and "cunning arts" in the poem...
* Gawain has a reputation as a great lover (meaning chivalric lover--more on that Tuesday), and the Lady means to test him, to see if he can really live up to his reputation. If he refuses the Lady, he would not only dishonor her but himself. And yet, he promised to give the Lord whatever he received in kind. Does he seem to follow the laws of chivalry and honor?
* Related to the above, how does the Lady test him? What complaints does she have against Gawain?
* What gift does he accept from the Lady that he doesn't give back to the Lord? Why is this? Is it a dishonorable 'lie'? Or a sensible one?
* Why does the poem suddenly introduce Morgan le Fay in the poem? Was she behind this all along? Or is this a sleight of hand on the author's part, to make us not notice what's really going on in the poem?
* Does Gawain fail in his final test with the Green Knight? Is the flinching a sign of cowardice or dishonor? How does the Green Knight judge him?
* What do you make of Gawain's long rant against women? Is this another poem that seeks to throw women under the bus for the sins of men? Is the Lord's wife merely another Guenevere? Would he have passed the test without her interference? Do you think the poet is speaking through Gawain's lips...or is he condemning him?
* Why do Arthurt and all the knights decide to adopt the girdle themselves? Is this a way to erase his dishonor? Is it satirical?
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