A Monsters Lesson 09 Sir Gawain and the Green Knight a Look at the Language

Contextual Redefinition Chart

1. Identify unknown word: | 2. What is the context? | 3. Meaning seems to be... | 4. Dictionary definition is... | treachery | “After the siege and the assault has ceased at Troy, the city had been destroyed and burned to brands and ashes, the warrior who wrought there the trains of treason was tried for his treachery…” | actions | violation of allegiance or of faith and confidence | mirth | “The King lay royally at Camelot at Christmas tide with many fine lords, the best of men, all the rich brethren of the Round Table, with right rich revel and careless mirth.” | happiness | gladness or gaiety as shown by or accompanied with laughter | comelier | “Truly no man could say that he ever beheld a comelier lady than she, with her dancing gray eyes.” | Attractive | pleasurably conforming to notions of good appearance, suitability, or proportion | trifles | “Thus the great King stands waiting before the high table, talking of trifles full courteously.” | Not important | something of little value, substance, or importance | vesture | “And all his vesture verily was clean verdure, both the bars of his belt and the other beauteous stones that were set in fine array about himself and his saddle, worked on silk.” | Clothing | a covering garment | dais | “This hero turns him in and enters the hall, riding straight to the high dais, fearless of mischief.” | stage | a raised platform | wight | “If any warrior be wight enough to try what I propose, let him leap lightly to me and take this weapon…” | brave | a living being | recreant | “And so come, or so it behooves thee to be called recreant.” | unfaithful | unfaithful to duty or allegiance | boon | “Give me now this gisarm, for God’s sake, and I will grant thy boon that thou has bidden.” | favor | Benefit or favor | villainy | “Gawain was