This week in our discussion of The Green Knight, we look into readership and audience reception of the source text, the film, and other recent fantasy fiction. Medieval readers (or listeners) of Sir Gawain's story would have understood references and symbols in the text that many modern readers and viewers miss--what are some of these references?

We also talk about the persistent myth that everyone in Medieval Europe was white, and how this racist myth has affected modern audiences' perceptions of the film's casting choices. This leads into current broader popular culture discussions around the casting of actors of color in other fantasy media, such as House of the Dragon and The Rings of Power.

Further Reading:

Crash course on the source text

L.A. Times reviews of the film

How Gawain's race affects the film

An interview with "Medieval POC"

Race and Worldbuilding in Fantasy

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