Stanzas 24-26

1. What day is it when Stanza 24 begins? What might be the importance of this day?

2. Describe Gawain's armor.

Stanzas 27 & 28

1. Take the time to gain a thorough understanding of Gawain's shield and its symbolic importance to the story.

a. what is a "Pentangle" in the context of this work?

b. how are the points ordered and what do they mean?

c. note the colors used in the shield; what meaning do you make of them?

Stanza 30

1. What is being tested in Stanza 30?

Stanza 31

1. What is being tested in this stanza?

Stanza 32

1. What day is it?

2. What does Gawain ask for?

Stanzas 33 & 34

1. What does Gawain discover after he has crossed himself?

2. Relate Gawain's discovery to his request in Stanza 32. Do you begin to see a pattern to the story of Gawain's quest? (the answer lies in Gawain's worthiness)

Now take the time to list in order all of the tests which Gawain endures and his success in these tests.

Stanzas 35-38

1. Notice how both Gawain and the lord of the castle (Lord Bercilak) adhere to the host/guest relationship.

2. Describe Lord Bercilak's physical features.

Stanza 39

1. Lady Bercilak reveals herself to Gawain for the first time. Make note of who is by her side.

Stanza 40

1. What skill does Gawain display as he introduces himself to the two ladies?

2. Lord Bercilak's behavior in the latter half of this stanza should look familiar to you. Explore this notion.

Stanzas 42-43

1. What important information does Gawain receive when in conversation with Lord Bercilak about the ultimate purpose of his journey/quest.

Stanza 44

1. What are lord Bercilak's instructions to Gawain as to how he is to spend his following day?

Stanza 45

1. Paraphrase the bargain that Gawain and Lord Bercilak enter into.

2. In terms of the stanza as a whole, why has Lord Bercilak waited until now to present "the game"?

What is the overall purpose of Fit II?

Back to: Gawain page / Review Questions / English 9