The object of this activity is for you to decide if nobility or human nature ruled throughout the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. It is easy to form an quick opinion, but have you really thought it through? Now is your chance to do just that. The decision chart lists several actions/decisions of Gawain. Beside each are two columns:noble/chivalrous action and act of human nature. Your job is to choose which category each action falls under. Complete the chart with a decision checked and provide a brief explanation as to why you chose a particular category. Consider the following when trying to decide:

• A noble action is one that is done out of respect or in accordance to the chivalric code.
• An act of human nature is one that is simply based on self-preservation or to escape humiliation.

• Actions/Decisions of Gawain

  	Noble/Chivalrous Act	Act of Human nature	Brief Explanation
  Example: Gawain’s attendance of the New Year’s Eve feast			Attendance of all events was done out of service and respect for the king
  Gawain’s acceptance of the Green Knight’s challenge in Arthur’s place
  Gawain’s journey to find the Green Knight one year later
  Gawain’s decision to stay at Lord Bertilak’s castle for three days
  Gawain’s prayers to God and Mary throughout the poem
  Gawain’s rejection of Lady Bertilak’s advances in Section 3
  Gawain’s acceptance of Lady Bertilak’s kisses
  Gawain’s acceptance of Lord Bertilack’s deal for three days
  Gawain’s choice to keep the green girdle a secret
  Gawain’s flinching at the first  wave of the ax by Bertilak
  Gawain’s decision to wear the girdle over his shoulder as a symbol of his shame and sin

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