Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Medieval Romance and the Hero’s Journey

Historical Background (pg. 168)

• Written by an unknown author

• Arthurian legend

• Beheading is a ritual death

• Celebrate the return of spring and the growth of new crops

Literary Forms (pg. 169)

• Medieval Romance– Feudal ideal of chivalry– Adventure, love, and the supernatural– Typically feature kings, knights, & damsels in

distress

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

pages 170-184

8 Stages of the Hero’s Journey

Separation (from the known)– The Call– The Threshold

Initiation and Transformation– The Challenges– The Abyss– The Transformation– The Revelation– The Atonement

The Return (to the know world)– The Return (with a gift)

Separation

• The Call– The Hero is called to adventure by some

event or messenger. The Hero may accept or refuse the call.

• The Threshold– The contrast between the familiar world of

light and the dark, unknown world of adventure

Initiation and Transformation

• The Road of Trials (Challenges)– The Hero must undergo a series of tests.

Each successful test further proves the hero’s ability and advances the journey toward its climax

• The Abyss– The Hero faces his greatest challenge which

he must face alone

Initiation and Transformation

• The Transformation and Revelation– The Hero overcomes his fears and his

transformation is complete. Part of the Hero must die so that a new part can be born.

• The Atonement– The Hero is fully reborn and becomes “at-one”

with his new self.

The Return

• The Hero again crosses the threshold and returns to the everyday world. The hero comes back from this adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man.– Boon: blessing, gift

“Whether the hero happens to gain a princess (or prince), a kingdom, a healing

medicine, a talisman, or some other reward appears immaterial. He actually earns self-integration, balance, wisdom, and spiritual

health. In every case…the phantasmagorical adventures of the hero

symbolize inner development.”Alexander Elliot

The Universal Myths

Sir Gawain and the Hero’s Journey Activity