Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
10. After Sir Gawain sees his own blood in the snow, the text says he leaps backward to grab his weapons and helmet. How far backward does he jump? Does that seem plausible to you? Why or why not?
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He jumps more than a spear's length..... which is difficult to believe.
Through the fair fat sank the edge, and the flesh entered,
so that the shining blood o’er his shoulders was shed on the earth;
and when the good knight saw the gore that gleamed on the snow,
he sprang out with spurning feet a spear’s length and more.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight