TODAY IN CLASS
I checked your plot summary notations for stanzas 29-34 of the Gawain hand-out, and we talked about his physical journey as part of the "hero's journey" concept. (Medieval romances borrowed heavily from some of the conventions typically found in epics.)
Though today there were no additional hand-outs, I provided a quick summary of some key events from the point that your version left off:
1. Gawain's arrival at the castle, brief meeting with the host ("lord"), his lavishly decorated bedroom, warm robes, and the Christmas eve supper of several soup choices, a wide variety of fish, and ample wine. Gawain called it a "feast," but he was told that this was penance--on the NEXT day he would feast.
2. Christmas Day was appropriately festive, and the next three days were spent in more eating, celebrating, and sociability.
3. Gawain then said he had to leave because of his obligation at the Green Chapel (though he does not fully describe it). The Host tells him that it's nearby--a mere two hours' ride--so he can wait until New Year's morning to leave.
4. The next three days will feature hunting, but Gawain declines to go (he's had enough of the great outdoors to last him awhile). So the Host proposes a contest in which each one will deliver to the other whatever he has "won" during that day.
We went somewhat farther than this in first period, but I'm not summarizing further here; you'll have more hand-outs tomorrow.
FOR TOMORROW
Get started on the reading that is due on Monday: pp. 248-261, which is an excerpt from "Le Morte d'Arthur."
You will have to access the online textbook, since there will be no class time provided for reading this selection. And there WILL be a reading check quiz on Monday.
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