The Arthurian stories or Matter of Britain are not just a set of tales but a vision evolving through time, at the hands of many authors. A brief look at the conclusion of Malory’s Morte Darthur, where the destruction of all that Arthur created suggests an ideal too great for this imperfect earth. And yet, the prophecy that Arthur will return someday.

Gawain’s adventure consists of two contests or games. Huizinga’s Homo Ludens: human culture as play, as game-playing. But for real stakes. Gawain is really striving not for a prize or fame but for loyalty to virtue. He comes short because he is human and imperfect, but we must strive anyway, or nothing is achieved.

The lord’s wife tries three times to seduce Gawain while her husband is out hunting, but Gawain resists. On New Year’s, Gawain endures his ordeal at the Green Knight’s “chapel,” an opening in the earth. He feels shame that he has tried to cheat by wearing the lady’s magic belt that confers invulnerability, but the Knight commends him, and back at home the lords and ladies all wear green belts in his honor.

Description of the seasonal cycle. Finally, it is winter again, and Gawain leaves to find the Green Knight’s chapel. His shield with the pentangle or “endlesse knot,” symbolizing five sets of five virtues. The northern journey through wonders and adventures. The northern lord’s castle. Hopitality is granted by the lord, who also offers a wager—another bet.

A quick sketch of the development of the Arthurian mythos. The Middle English alliterative Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, a romance full of wonders. The Green Knight challenges the Court of Arthur. Gawain accepts the challenge, and cuts off the Knight’s head. The Green Knight picks up his head and departs, telling Gawain that a year hence he must allow the Knight to strike his own blow.

The Norman Conquest of 1066. The transformation of Old English into Middle English, partly through the influence of Anglo-Norman French. From heroic poetry to the romance, the tale of wonders. The new theme of Courtly Love, a new kind of idealized romantic love.

Beowulf returns to the Geats, eventually becomes king for 50 years of peace. The dragon is awakened when someone steals from his hoard. Beowulf and Wiglaf defeat the dragon, but Beowulf is mortally wounded. He asks to see the treasure, then dies. The Geats may not long survive his death.

Grendel’s mother breaks into Heorot, grabs Hrothgar’s best friend and her son’s hand. Beowulf pursues her to the uncanny mere, dives in, slays her with the help of a sword from the days of the giants, whose blade is melted by her blood. Return and a second celebration. Beowulf the triumphing warrior—but also Beowulf the peacemaker.

Hrothgar’s line from the mysterious Scyld opens the poem. The building of Heorot, and the bard’s song. Grendel preys on Heorot 12 years. The arrival of Beowulf. Beowulf insulted by Unferth. The battle with Grendel.

Everything about Beowulf is a mystery: its date and place of origin; its atypical hero, a monster slayer rather than heroic feuding warrior; its problematic relationship to Christianity. J.R.R. Tolkien’s famous essay about these problems.