Critical Reading Page 183
1. Key Ideas and Details (a) How do Arthur’s knights first respond to the Green Knight’s
challenge?
Arthur’s knights first response to the Green Knight’s challenge was that they are shocked in
astonishment.
(b) Analyze: Why does the Green Knight laugh at their response?
The Green Knight was laughing at the response of Arthur’s knights since Arthur’s knights were
known for their great bravery and the reaction does not live up to the kind of reputation they
have.
2. Key Ideas and Details (a) What does Gawain offer to do?
Gawain is offered to take the place of Arthur in the contest.
(b) Analyze: How does he make his offer seem humble, not boastful?
Gawain begs to spare the life of the king and he humbly showed off his strengths and skills.
3. Key Ideas and Details (a) Interpret: In lines 464-477, how doe Sir Gawain react when he
considers his own actions?
Sir Gawain gets upset about himself realizing how greedy and cowardly he is. His love for life
becomes his weakness leading him to be disloyal to his code.
(b) Draw Conclusions: What has Sir Gawain Learned from his second encounter with the Green
Knight?
Sir Gawain learned that no matter what fears you have and what gives you fear, you need to
remain acting honorably and always keep your word.
4. Integration of Knowledge and ideas Using the example of Sir Gawain, explain whether it is
more important to achieve goals or learn from mistakes.
With Sir Gawain’s example, it is best to learn from one’s mistakes as this will definitely teach
lessons for a lifetime that may be influential in achieving the goals. Sir Gawain was taught to
remember the lessons learned from all the mistakes and come up with a better version of oneself
out of it.
Critical Reading Page 195
1. Key Ideas and Details (a) What warning does King Arthur received in his dream?
King Arthur is warned in his dream not to engage in a battle with Mordred as this will lead to his
death and most of his men will lose their lives in this battle. He was told in his dream to postpone
the battle to allow time for Lancelot to arrive.
(b) How do circumstances frustrate his attempt to heed this warning?
Arthur attempted to be mindful of the warning and gather his armies to discuss peace, there is an
adder that stings the foot of a knight. It leads the knight to draw his sword to kill the adder.
Unfortunately, that sparks the battle.
(c) Interpret: How does this series of events make the ending of the tale seem fated?
Since a sword is drawn, it is taken up as teachery that resulted to the battle which killed Arthur
and Camelot is doomed. Arthur may have desired not to do a battle however fate interferes that
led for the battle to take place.
2. Key Ideas and Details (a) What is the relationship between Mordred and Arthur?
Mordred is the illegitimate son of King Arthur who wanted to get rid of him to get him to take
over the King’s throne.
(b) Interpret: How does the conflict between them emphasize the theme of betrayal in the tale?
Mordred may be destined to kill King Arthur, as this was foretold and seemed unchangeable.
The conflict emphasized the theme of betrayal when both tried to plan and strategize to make
things happens on their favor. King Arthur attempted to change the destiny of Mordred by trying
to take his life as a child, who was so powerless by then. The act of planning and manipulating
for both seems to deepen and increase that it becomes inevitable and uncontrollable.
3. Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (a) Compare and Contrast: How does the description of
Sir Lucan’s death contrast with the speech in which Arthur bemoans his passing?
Sir Lucan’s death is described to be so gruesome and horrible while the speech of Arthur is full
of honorable thoughts and commemorations.
(b) Draw Conclusions: What conclusion can you draw from this contrast about the range of
