Join us for an exploration of the 14th century Medieval poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Using Simon Armitage’s 2007 translation, we will investigate the poem’s poetic and narrative structure, its verse form, imagery and symbolism, and will consider aspects of medieval life and culture, including knighthood, romance and courtly and religious values.
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This online literature course explores the whole of the poem Sir Gawain and The Green Knight (2531 lines). Sir Gawain and The Green Knight is one of the best-known poems of the Medieval period and begins at Christmas in Camelot. It was written in the second half of the 14th century by a contemporary of Chaucer. This unknown poet – the Gawain poet – wrote in a style which revived a late Anglo-Saxon / Germanic style of alliterative and narrative verse. Thought to have originated in the Cheshire-Staffordshire-Derbyshire border areas, the landscapes of the poem form a vibrant backdrop to the story of knighthood, temptation and trial undergone by Sir Gawain, one of King Arthur’s knights of the Round Table. The work is imbued with the heroic atmosphere of a saga, the spirit of French romance and Christian consciousness.
The text is taught using Simon Armitage’s 2007 translation of the text but is supported with extracts from the original Middle English text. Students will explore the poem’s poetic and narrative structure, its verse form, imagery and symbolism. Aspects of medieval life and culture, such as knighthood, romance and courtly and religious values will be introduced to contextualise the story. We will discuss the contexts of production and reception. There may be an opportunity to explore some extracts from other works attributed to the Gawain poet and to consider Arthurian narratives a little more widely.
What will we cover?
The course begins by looking at the figure of the green man in art and culture to explore what the story might represent. It introduces students to the language and verse form used by the Gawain poet. It looks at extracts from the manuscript version of the poem and contextualises the poem in terms of the literary traditions preceding it. Topics covered will include storytelling and oral transmission; the concept of knighthood; the characterization of Sir Gawain and the symbolism of the pentangle; the temptations of Sir Gawain and the structural devices of the poem. Towards the end of the course we will learn more about the wider tradition of Arthurian narratives and will consider the importance of quest, pilgrimage, penance and nobility in the medieval world. Further extracts from works attributed to the Gawain poet may be visited to establish a rounded appreciation of the poet’s concerns, attitudes and beliefs.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Read some Medieval poetry in the original with help from a translation
• Understand the use of alliteration and the bob and wheel structure in order to evaluate the language choices of a late 14th century writer.
• Discuss a text with reference to different historical and literary contexts
• Evaluate the significance of imagery and symbolism in the text
• Use key terminology within your discussions of literary texts.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No previous knowledge of literature is necessary. However, learners will ideally need the following skills and attributes:
• An enthusiasm for reading and discussing poetry within large and small groups
• Confidence to explore language that looks different and to persevere with linguistic challenges
• A willingness and ability to read the poem and wider criticism outside the class
• An interest in, and ability to listen to, the responses of other students about the work discussed.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
A variety of teaching methods will be used, including short lecture, small group work using primary and secondary text extracts, discussions. Classes will be supported with powerpoint presentations.
Work outside class is to read the relevant sections of the core text in preparation for the upcoming week. You will be directed to wider reading as the course progresses, but this is optional.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please buy or borrow: Armitage, Simon (ed.), Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Faber and Faber, 2007) and an optional additional purchase is, J.J. Anderson (ed) Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, Cleanness, Patience Everyman Library)
The tutor will provide extracts of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight in Middle English and extracts from further texts as necessary.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Look for other courses on our Literature programme at www.citylit.ac.uk under History, Culture and Humanities/Literature
Dr Rachel Buglass holds an MA in Medieval Writing and Culture from The University of East Anglia and a PhD in late 15th century literature from the Canterbury Centre for Medieval and Tudor Studies, University of Kent. She is particularly interested in dream poetry and the period in the late fifteenth century during which manuscript and print culture overlap. Rachel has lectured and taught adults at a range of institutions, including undergraduates at the University of Kent and at Oxford University and, while completing her doctorate, worked as a research assistant on the first volume of The Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature, Volume 1 (Anglo Norman, Anglo-Latin, Anglo Saxon and Middle English).
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/sir-gawain-and-the-green-knight2490520Sir Gawain and the Green Knighthttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/demystifying-poetry-hlt354-1080.jpg149149GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Literary history/Courses/Online courses228511771187159817311228511771187<p>Join us for an exploration of the 14th century Medieval poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Using Simon Armitage’s 2007 translation, we will investigate the poem’s poetic and narrative structure, its verse form, imagery and symbolism, and will consider aspects of medieval life and culture, including knighthood, romance and courtly and religious values.</p>002744822Sir Gawain and the Green Knight149149https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/demystifying-poetry-hlt354-1080.jpgInStockEveningMonOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-06-01T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceJun 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHLT326149149Sir Gawain and the Green Knight14997149Rachel Buglasssir-gawain-and-the-green-knight/hlt326-2526<p>Join us for an exploration of the 14th century Medieval poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Using Simon Armitage’s 2007 translation, we will investigate the poem’s poetic and narrative structure, its verse form, imagery and symbolism, and will consider aspects of medieval life and culture, including knighthood, romance and courtly and religious values.</p>0000-Available|2026-06-01 00:00:00<p>This online literature course explores the whole of the poem Sir Gawain and The Green Knight (2531 lines).<br/>Sir Gawain and The Green Knight is one of the best-known poems of the Medieval period and begins at Christmas in Camelot. It was written in the second half of the 14th century by a contemporary of Chaucer. This unknown poet – the Gawain poet – wrote in a style which revived a late Anglo-Saxon / Germanic style of alliterative and narrative verse. Thought to have originated in the Cheshire-Staffordshire-Derbyshire border areas, the landscapes of the<br/>poem form a vibrant backdrop to the story of knighthood, temptation and trial undergone by Sir Gawain, one of King Arthur’s knights of the Round Table. The work is imbued with the heroic atmosphere of a saga, the spirit of French<br/>romance and Christian consciousness.<br/><br/>The text is taught using Simon Armitage’s 2007 translation of the text but is supported with extracts from the original Middle English text. Students will explore the poem’s poetic and narrative structure, its verse form, imagery and<br/>symbolism. Aspects of medieval life and culture, such as knighthood, romance and courtly and religious values will be introduced to contextualise the story. We will discuss the contexts of production and reception. There may be an opportunity to explore some extracts from other works attributed to the Gawain poet and to consider Arthurian narratives a little more widely.</p><p>Join us for an exploration of the 14th century Medieval poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Using Simon Armitage’s 2007 translation, we will investigate the poem’s poetic and narrative structure, its verse form, imagery and symbolism, and will consider aspects of medieval life and culture, including knighthood, romance and courtly and religious values.</p><p>The course begins by looking at the figure of the green man in art and culture to explore what the story might<br/>represent. It introduces students to the language and verse form used by the Gawain poet. It looks at extracts from the manuscript version of the poem and contextualises the poem in terms of the literary traditions preceding it.<br/>Topics covered will include storytelling and oral transmission; the concept of knighthood; the characterization of Sir Gawain and the symbolism of the pentangle; the temptations of Sir Gawain and the structural devices of the poem.<br/>Towards the end of the course we will learn more about the wider tradition of Arthurian narratives and will consider the importance of quest, pilgrimage, penance and nobility in the medieval world. Further extracts from works<br/>attributed to the Gawain poet may be visited to establish a rounded appreciation of the poet’s concerns, attitudes and beliefs. </p><p>Read some Medieval poetry in the original with help from a translation</p><p> • Understand the use of alliteration and the bob and wheel structure in order to evaluate the language choices of a late 14th century writer.</p><p> • Discuss a text with reference to different historical and literary contexts</p><p> • Evaluate the significance of imagery and symbolism in the text</p><p> • Use key terminology within your discussions of literary texts.</p><p>No previous knowledge of literature is necessary. However, learners will ideally need the following skills and attributes:</p><p> • An enthusiasm for reading and discussing poetry within large and small groups</p><p> • Confidence to explore language that looks different and to persevere with linguistic challenges</p><p> • A willingness and ability to read the poem and wider criticism outside the class</p><p> • An interest in, and ability to listen to, the responses of other students about the work discussed.</p><p>A variety of teaching methods will be used, including short lecture, small group work using primary and secondary text extracts, discussions. Classes will be supported with powerpoint presentations. </p><p>Work outside class is to read the relevant sections of the core text in preparation for the upcoming week. You will be directed to wider reading as the course progresses, but this is optional.</p><p>Please buy or borrow: Armitage, Simon (ed.), Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Faber and Faber, 2007) and an optional additional purchase is, J.J. Anderson (ed) Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, Cleanness, Patience Everyman Library)</p><p>The tutor will provide extracts of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight in Middle English and extracts from further texts as necessary.</p><p> Look for other courses on our Literature programme at www.citylit.ac.uk under History, Culture and Humanities/Literature</p>LiteratureLiterary historyvirtual14914997HLT326NONEMon01/06/26 - 06/07/2618:30 - 20:1518:3020:156 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksEveningWeekdayOnlineOnlineRachel BuglassBeginners, Some experienceAvailable courses2026-06-01T00:00:00+00:00Jun 2026Culture, history & humanities149149Sir Gawain and the Green Knightsir-gawain-and-the-green-knight/hlt326-2526<p>Join us for an exploration of the 14th century Medieval poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Using Simon Armitage’s 2007 translation, we will investigate the poem’s poetic and narrative structure, its verse form, imagery and symbolism, and will consider aspects of medieval life and culture, including knighthood, romance and courtly and religious values.</p>0000-Available|2026-06-01 00:00:00<p>This online literature course explores the whole of the poem Sir Gawain and The Green Knight (2531 lines).<br/>Sir Gawain and The Green Knight is one of the best-known poems of the Medieval period and begins at Christmas in Camelot. It was written in the second half of the 14th century by a contemporary of Chaucer. This unknown poet – the Gawain poet – wrote in a style which revived a late Anglo-Saxon / Germanic style of alliterative and narrative verse. Thought to have originated in the Cheshire-Staffordshire-Derbyshire border areas, the landscapes of the<br/>poem form a vibrant backdrop to the story of knighthood, temptation and trial undergone by Sir Gawain, one of King Arthur’s knights of the Round Table. The work is imbued with the heroic atmosphere of a saga, the spirit of French<br/>romance and Christian consciousness.<br/><br/>The text is taught using Simon Armitage’s 2007 translation of the text but is supported with extracts from the original Middle English text. Students will explore the poem’s poetic and narrative structure, its verse form, imagery and<br/>symbolism. Aspects of medieval life and culture, such as knighthood, romance and courtly and religious values will be introduced to contextualise the story. We will discuss the contexts of production and reception. There may be an opportunity to explore some extracts from other works attributed to the Gawain poet and to consider Arthurian narratives a little more widely.</p><p>Join us for an exploration of the 14th century Medieval poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Using Simon Armitage’s 2007 translation, we will investigate the poem’s poetic and narrative structure, its verse form, imagery and symbolism, and will consider aspects of medieval life and culture, including knighthood, romance and courtly and religious values.</p><p>The course begins by looking at the figure of the green man in art and culture to explore what the story might<br/>represent. It introduces students to the language and verse form used by the Gawain poet. It looks at extracts from the manuscript version of the poem and contextualises the poem in terms of the literary traditions preceding it.<br/>Topics covered will include storytelling and oral transmission; the concept of knighthood; the characterization of Sir Gawain and the symbolism of the pentangle; the temptations of Sir Gawain and the structural devices of the poem.<br/>Towards the end of the course we will learn more about the wider tradition of Arthurian narratives and will consider the importance of quest, pilgrimage, penance and nobility in the medieval world. Further extracts from works<br/>attributed to the Gawain poet may be visited to establish a rounded appreciation of the poet’s concerns, attitudes and beliefs. </p><p>Read some Medieval poetry in the original with help from a translation</p><p> • Understand the use of alliteration and the bob and wheel structure in order to evaluate the language choices of a late 14th century writer.</p><p> • Discuss a text with reference to different historical and literary contexts</p><p> • Evaluate the significance of imagery and symbolism in the text</p><p> • Use key terminology within your discussions of literary texts.</p><p>No previous knowledge of literature is necessary. However, learners will ideally need the following skills and attributes:</p><p> • An enthusiasm for reading and discussing poetry within large and small groups</p><p> • Confidence to explore language that looks different and to persevere with linguistic challenges</p><p> • A willingness and ability to read the poem and wider criticism outside the class</p><p> • An interest in, and ability to listen to, the responses of other students about the work discussed.</p><p>A variety of teaching methods will be used, including short lecture, small group work using primary and secondary text extracts, discussions. Classes will be supported with powerpoint presentations. </p><p>Work outside class is to read the relevant sections of the core text in preparation for the upcoming week. You will be directed to wider reading as the course progresses, but this is optional.</p><p>Please buy or borrow: Armitage, Simon (ed.), Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Faber and Faber, 2007) and an optional additional purchase is, J.J. Anderson (ed) Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, Cleanness, Patience Everyman Library)</p><p>The tutor will provide extracts of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight in Middle English and extracts from further texts as necessary.</p><p> Look for other courses on our Literature programme at www.citylit.ac.uk under History, Culture and Humanities/Literature</p>LiteratureLiterary historyconfigurable
15981187Literary historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/literature/literary-history1/2/285/1177/1187/15981/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Literary history
