Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a Christian based poem that aims at giving reference to the fall of man. In the poem, Sir Gawain is visited by a green knight in the form of a mysterious warrior. The knight then challenges sir Gawain to strike him with his ax in exchange for a blow in a year and a day. Sir Gawain accepts the challenge and chops off the head of the knight in only one blow. To sir Gawain amazement, the knight stood up, took his head from the ground, and promises to meet him at the agreed time.
This paper will discuss Christianity and magic in the poem. The aim of the discussion will be to give an insight into how these two value systems influence the characters and their actions in the poem.
To begin with, the poem has a Christian origin. It refers to the fall of man according to Christianity and extends all the way to the times of Jesus Christ. For example, the knight can be taken to represent the serpent that tempted Adam in the Garden of Eden. Sir Gawain in this case assumes the role of Adam. By accepting the offer given to him by the knight, sir Gawain fell just like Adam.
There is an element of magic when the knight stands up after sir Gawain chops its head off. The green knight himself and the girdle gave to sir Gawain to protect him from the ax are symbolic representations of magic. It is this element of magic that makes the poem revolves around a hero going through a quest to test his ability.
In the poem, Christian values such as faithfulness are portrayed by the act of sir Gawain of struggling to uphold his oath. However, sir Gawain failed to uphold this secret when he was tempted by the lady of the castle. The event of sir Gawain being tempted by a lady and falling into the lady’s craftiness has been influenced by Christianity. Just like Adam of the bible falls into the tricks of his wife, sir Gawain was tricked by a lady. The character of ladies in the poem of being tempting has been drawn from the biblical story of the fall of man.
The mysterious character of the knight is a symbolic representation of God. The knight promised to meet sir Gawain at the appointed time. This can be seen to represent the second coming of Jesus Christ. The knight was also supernatural as portrayed by its extraordinary color. Furthermore; the knight did not die after its head was chopped off by sir Gawain. This character of the knight has been influenced by the supernatural nature of God. Just as Jesus Christ rose from the dead and promised to come on earth at the appointed time, the knight stood up after sir Gawain chopped off its head. The knight also promised to meet sir Gawain at the appointed time just as Jesus had promised his disciples.
In addition, after sir Gawain was judged worth during the test, he spared his people from doom. This is a perfect symbolic representation of the innocence of Jesus and his saving of humanity. The poem further represents salvation as a personal experience that is very difficult to communicate with other people. In depicting Camelot, the poet is seen to be concerned more about his society. Society, on the other hand, is portrayed as evil and thus its destruction is inevitable.
The character of Gawain towards the end of the poem refers to Christ’s crown of thorns. After Sir Gawain returned to Camelot and narrating the story of his acquired green sash, a prayer is said and Christ’s crown of thorns is referred to. Such character has its origin from the biblical story of the end times and the celebrations of victory in heaven. Throughout the poem, Sir Gawain goes through many trials to test his devotion and faith in Christianity. Prayer is offered as a solution to all trials. For instance, when sir Gawain got lost on his way to the green chapel, he made a prayer to the Virgin Mary. It was after masking this prayer when he discovered the way to the chapel.
In conclusion, all the action of the characters in Sir Gawain poem is greatly influenced by Christianity and magic. Most of the characters and their actions are a symbolic representation of how Christians should conduct themselves. The events in the poem happen mysteriously indicating the power of a superior being. This makes the poem very relevant to Christians because it teaches them a number of lessons (Beebe 255).
Work cited
Beebe, Maurice. Age of Modernism. The University of Tulsa.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a story that comprises of the themes of Christianity and magic as they both play an important role in the story. This story is full of symbols that give a Christian perspective and how human beings are naturally weak. Some of the symbols used by the author include the tap, number three and the green belt among others.
The Green Knight who is a magical creature requires a noble Knight to do something which is almost impossible. In an attempt to do what the magical creature wants, the knight encounters the temptations from a lovely lady.
However, the Knight who is named Gawain is skillful, courageous and portrays the courtesy of a chivalry to deal with the lady. This essay looks at how Christianity and magic influences the actions of the characters in the story.
Body of Essay
The story uses the tapping of Gawain symbolically to symbolize the punishment meted on him for failing to surrender the earnings. The green knight knows why Gawain is reluctant to give the green belt to the lovely lady although Gawain is scared of the penance. This story is a reflection of the biblical actions of confession and forgiveness.
This aspect of Christianity explains the action of Gawain confessing that the cut has made him a coward after the Green knight explains why he was tapped. The biblical concept of forgiveness is also exhibited and drives the action of the green Knight. After Gawain confesses his sins, the green Knight forgives him.
The green knight eventually gave the belt to Gawain so that he will not forget that they at some point met. All this while, Gawain never knew the name of the Green Knight and that is when he decided to ask him his name. In Christianity, the consumption of the fruit they had been told not to consume is what opened Adam and Eve to their nakedness.
This led them into a lot of shame that prompted them to ask why they were naked. This Christian concept is evident in this story since it is only after Gawain experiences the shame of being tapped that he asks The Green Knight his name.
Christianity uses the cross to symbolize the sinful nature of human beings that caused Jesus to die to save mankind. It reminds Christians that Jesus died for them. This concept influences the actions of King Arthur after hearing the story of Gawain. The king orders all the women serving in the court to wear green belts as symbols of their sins.
This story is full of many magical instances. For instance, the people at the court of King Arthur think that the Green Knight is a magical creature when he makes his appearance there. He is green in his entirety. To prove the magic, he picks his cut off head and speaks with it making everybody believe the magic.
Another instance of magic is evident when Morgan le Fay who is a sorceress enchants Bertilak who is normal and transforms him to become the Green Knight with the aim of terrifying the queen of Arthur and putting the knights to test. Magic is also evident when we are informed that even the birth of King Arthur was as a result of his father being deceived by his mother.
The magical incidents evident in this story influence the actions of the characters to a great extend. For instance, the fact that magic is mostly practiced by women in the story gives them the capacity to have power. Since they have the power, they are also driven by magic to abuse the power. Another impact of magic in the story is that it causes the knight to behave in a manner that earns him honor for being considered brave.
Conclusion
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight effectively use Christianity and magic to bring out the salient concerns in the story. The author makes allusions to biblical concepts that drive most of the actions of the characters. In presenting the biblical concepts, symbols such as the green belt are used to symbolize the cross in Christianity which reminds Christians of their sins.
The author has also used magic in the story which greatly influences the characters. For example, women who are taken to practice magic more in the story wield a lot of power. Christianity and magic undoubtedly influence the characters in the story and drive their actions.
In various genres of arts, color is one of the most prominent features that symbolize different aspects of human life. Various artists use colors in different ways to express some meaning or emotions. In the medieval poem “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”, the unknown poet employs the use of color as a literal strategy to create and express some concealed meanings (Borroff, 1967. Specifically, the poet uses green, gold, and red colors to symbolize different aspects as well as create contrast in the story line. Nevertheless, green is the most prominent color that the poet uses throughout the story, which implies that it must have special meaning or important information about the various objects and subjects in the narrative.
Color green plays the central role in the poem, especially because the main character is associated with it. Green Knight, the main character has an axe, horse, and skin and all of them are green in color. The character is described as having an entire green color, contrast to the color of common people as the poet says, “…all green was this man” (Borroff, 1967). The actual name of the character “Green Knight” is not provided, but throughout the poem, the person is described as “green” and thus the color green describe the person himself.
In the medieval times, colors had some special meanings and the poem reflects the common themes of the time. For example, green color was used to describe the power of nature, young age, and the power of some wild animals and plants. The Green Knight appears to the closer to nature than the other people in his society. Indeed, he has some superficial powers not common to other people (Borroff, 1967. For example, when Gawain cuts off his head, he does not die but takes the head and goes away with it. From a closer examination, it is possible that the Green Knight resembles plants and their behaviors. If the head of most plants is cut off, they do not die but continue flourishing as long as the stem and roots are working and the appropriate environment is provided.
In the same way, color green is used to describe youthfulness. Young people are energetic and agile and are able to survive certain environmental conditions or stresses that older people cannot endure. The Green Knight is a young, agile, and energetic nobleman. Few powers can undermine his abilities and powers in the environment, including Sir Gawain. Even after his head is cut off, he does not bow down to external forces but continues to thrive as he is still a young and energetic individual.
In addition, it appears that color green is a symbol of victory and honor. In the poem, when Sir Gawain secretly receives a green and golden belt, he gains power over the Green Knight. However, this victory does not last long because he later discovers that the belt was Green Knight’s possession, which brings shame to Sir Gawain. After the defeat of Dir Gawain, other knights decide to make and wear green belts as a reminder of victory and fair play (Borroff, 1967. Consequently, color green is used to symbolize honor and victory in the poem.
It should be noted that the contrast between green and red colors is a representation or symbolism of the conflicts between the various characters and themes in the poem. For example, there is a conflict between wild and chivalry, which represent the chaotic powers in nature (Borroff, 1967). These powers reside inside the personality of knights and every nobleman should struggle with the internal conflict that the two powers present. In the medieval times, the society expected the nobles to confront the wild in them and emerge as honest and conveyed individuals.
Reference
Borroff, M. (1967). Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Norton.
Sir Gawain and the Green knight is a story set in the Middle English and was written by an unknown person from West Midlands. He is famed with many other works that were also written around the same period.
Sir Gawain is the protagonist in the tale. Several events in the story describe his true nature. He foregoes two daunting tests. This is a challenge that he accepts without seeking help from King Arthur’s knights; a challenge to behead the dangerous and feared Green Knight and to allow him retaliate one year after at the Green Chapel.
This added to the excitement of committing adultery with Lord Bercilak’s wife. In the real sense, it is at the Green Knight’s abode that Gawain rests on his way to the chapel. This tale is symbolic of life; how it sets trials and dares and the results that arise because of triumphing in passing these challenges. Gawain is a true depiction of heroism in the story due to his zeal and gallantry on how he handled tasks (Peters 2).
Sir Gawain is truly, a figurative character in the story. He is symbolic in the way he depicts the innocence of life. He did not fear at all to agree to all challenges since it pointed at salvaging the entire kingdom from the serious effects of anarchism that could arise from the failure of having a central king.
His acceptance to a duel against the Green Knight immediately portrayed one of the elements that knighthood stood for. This is the aspect of fearlessness. Individuals accept such dares on a daily basis. Indeed, this could be the basic foundation of the roots of the term “sticking one’s neck out”. In instances where individuals take up on certain tasks or challenges, many are never prepared to live with the results of an unsuccessful feat.
However, Gawain was the opposite of this. Peters says that after the end of one year, he bravely rode his horse and went to the Green chapel. This not only proved that he was fearless but a true hero. This was of course preceded by the caution “take caution Gawain, that you will not be a deserter of your trial through fear” (178).
Throughout his journey, Gawain encounters dangerous situations and self-reluctance in some factors and the undying exploration for the chapel. This sentiment can be exemplified as the inner suffering experienced as a consequence of dealing with personal scruples. The long journey also gauged his faith as he continually prayed throughout his travels. He did not curse or downplay God’s name at any time. Evidently, it is true that the prayers served to keep Gawain sane and committed to the reason of his journey.
Gawain’s wishes and prayers are responded to when he moves and ends arriving at a location where he could ask for an apparent rest. The castle he finds becomes the setting for his next rest. His main challenge grows as he enjoys his time at the court and discovers that there is a woman who is excited by the prospects of getting to know and understand him in a better way.
The woman turns out to be the wife of Lord Bercilak; the Green Knight. This is depicted as a temptation. The woman in question attempts to entice Gawain while her husband is on a hunting expedition. Gawain manages to rebuff her trials except for a single kiss which he talks of in a confession. The woman offers him a sash which is believed to guard anyone who wears it from an apparent harm (Williamson 27).
He takes possession of the sash, although reluctantly and does not mention to Lord Bercilak that he got it from his wife. This is because he accords most of his trust in material possession rather than God who can guard him from any form of harm. Most of his actions above are representative of his heroism save for this last act which appears to be one of his downfalls in the story.
Gawain later heads for the chapel and gets the Green Knight ready for him and honing his axe. Gawain takes a bend over a blow which is immediately feinted by the Knight. This causes Gawain to flinch and he is reprimanded by the knight for that action. The knight goes for the axe again but repeats his earlier trick by feinting the blow. This infuriates Gawain who is not impressed at the playful nature that the knight employs.
The knight’s third blow hits Gawain at the back of his neck. He later elaborates that the first two blows that he made are only representative of the exchanges at the court between Gawain and his wife which he rejected, and the last blow was symbolic of the failure of Gawain during the final encounter with the woman where he accepted the sash offered to him as a replacement of his faith he had in God earlier.
This action according to the knight can be pardoned and lauds Gawain for indeed being exemplary and one of the most trustworthy individuals he had come across in his life. Peters mentions that the knight commented, “Gawain was polished of that dilemma and cleansed” (124).
This meant that men, in spite of their liabilities and disparities can be pardoned. Gawain sees fault in himself and feels like he has lost the confidence of other people with him. However, he gets forgiveness from his peers. Obviously, even the knight sees Gawain’s heroism basing on what he comments about him. That even in the face of adversities and failures, Gawain can still seek pardon and remorse from peers.
Gawain’s character in the story is representative of the values of the society in which the texts were written. There was much regard and respect for God’s will and expectation of man to always respect the creator and his rules. Gawain cautiously and skillfully evades a woman’s wiles and tricks that could have led to adultery.
This tale has much to do with how a man should lead his life. We are faced with many tests and challenges on a daily basis, and to be pardoned of any of these is indeed normal. This tale will always be reminisced for its intense poetic nature in the way Gawain is handled, and can be utilized as a foundation on which people can judge their actions. Gawain is indeed a man and every one of them has pardonable faults. What is astounding however is that Gawain is a hero based on his actions that are mentioned above.
Works Cited
Peters, Scott. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Analysis. London: Prentice Hall, 2000. Print.
Williamson, Neilson. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Ontario: Middle English Series, 1999. Print.
The poem “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” is a piece in which the plot is supported by Christian morality underpinning the chivalry of the characters and their occasional failure to comply with this notion. In the story, the religious guidance provided to the knights is shown by the description of ideals, the events taking place on specific holidays, prayers, locations, and, consequently, their behavior. These elements are complemented by the contrast between men’s laws and Christian mercy which are included at the end of the poem when the knight talks to Bertilak, who forgives his lies (Gardner 192). From this perspective, religion is one of the major themes of the story, and it is transmitted through the adoption of various literary devices. Hence, the author uses a particular pattern of speech representation alongside numerous symbols, juxtaposition, irony, metaphors, and allegories to claim the importance of Christianity for the narrative as well as its outcome.
Christian Ideals and Chivalry
The principal aspect of the poem is the need to connect Christian ideals and chivalry transmitted through symbolism in people and objects. For example, the green sash given to Gawain by Bertilak’s wife demonstrates the contrast between dishonesty and a strong moral compass implied by religion and the knights’ code (Burrow 105). The gift “marked of gleaming gold” was meant for the hero to remember the woman while also referring to the weakness of his character (Gardner 166). His dishonest conduct in refusing to give the sash in exchange for “this foul-smelling fox” indicates his improper attitude toward Gawain, violating the above principles (Gardner 170). This allegory is complemented by the symbolic interpretation of the color as Bertilak is also known as the Green Knight. The man’s name is related to the power of nature over people’s imperfections. However, the moral significance of the story is not portrayed from the beginning, as the readers are not supposed to know who this character is (Pons-Sanz 211). In the continuation, the truth is revealed, and one can easily recognize the emphasis on the necessity to coordinate religious concepts and chivalry.
Christian Holidays and Significant Events
Another characteristic of the narrative allowing to highlight the importance of Christianity in “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” is attributing major events to Christian holidays and significant dates. For instance, in the beginning, the story starts “at Camelot over Christmas” when the knights of the Round Table celebrate “in full swing for fifteen days” with King Arthur (Gardner 95). This scene directs one’s mood for perceiving further occasions in an intended way. Hence, the foundation of chivalry is explicitly linked to religion, and this standpoint is confirmed by other situations. Over time, Gawain’s adventures are accompanied by the Yule and New Year celebrations, among others (Gardner 105; 97). This technique not only emphasizes the dubious morality of the knights but also helps the author demonstrate the need for changing the affected persons’ mindsets. Arthur and his people seem to respect Christian values only in theory, whereas in practice, interference is required. Therefore, the use of holidays and other religious dates correlates with the task of ensuring the appropriate attitudes of the characters.
Gawain’s Prayers
While following Gawain’s travels, a reader sees the importance of prayers, even though this character violates Christian beliefs. When leaving Arthur, who “commended him to Christ,” the man departs with “an image of the Virgin” on his shield (Gardner 120). On the way, he prays to Mary so that “she guide his way, reveal some home” when looking for the residence of the Green Knight (Gardner 123; Burrow 104). The religious theme intertwining with chivalry is thereby demonstrated as the main source of hope for a person. After arriving at the place, it continues to underpin all events as the people there have feasts with “Old and new caroles and Christmas carols” (Gardner 159). The fact that the author regularly reminds us about Christ and his mother, to who the characters pray, serves as evidence of his apparent desire to highlight the importance of Christianity for the knights. Also, referring to allegories, such as deer representing innocence after the first hunt, is aimed at contrasting morality with deviations from the right path (Gardner 147). Thus, Gawain’s imperfections are compared to the appropriateness of religion for eliminating them.
Attending Confession
Another circumstance explaining the link between Christianity and knighthood is the fact that Gawain attends confession. Nevertheless, his efforts to adhere to religious principles do not appear to be genuine, as he conceals the affair with Bertilak’s wife. This aspect is demonstrated by including gold and green as the primary colors attributed to the main characters. Therefore, the association of Bertilak with green in his name and the chapel where the men are supposed to eventually meet is a symbol of the wilderness and unpredictability of his nature. They indicate the need for controlling instincts and fight against “all the gold on earth” or, in other words, the people unwilling to adhere to Christian morality, such as Gawain (Gardner 179). This extended metaphor contributes to the understanding of the necessity to not only confess but express oneself directly before God. The failure to do so is associated with one’s death, and the threat posed by the Green Knight is a mechanism for regulating similar events. From this standpoint, their despair of Gawain does not appear to be valid until he learns to be honest with others.
Physical Setting
The significance of Christianity is also highlighted by the physical setting, which provides for a contrast between Arthur’s knights and Bertilak’s plans. Thus, the former’s castle was portrayed as a place “knights jarred knights, with jubilant hearts” and “came into court to dance caroles,” implying the seeming importance of visible restraints in manners (Gardner 95). However, it is complemented by the neglect of honesty in deeds and morality, even though they are referred to only indirectly when discussing “chivalric ideals and practicalities” (Pons-Sanz 229). The fact that this part does not contain any dialogues contributes to the ambiguity of the knights’ values and beliefs (Pons-Sanz 229). Thus, staying in the castle for them means having no obligation to respect Christian norms.
In turn, the latter location is a Green Chapel, and it is used for comparing Arthur’s residence with religious sites with an appropriate atmosphere. In the story, it is described as “some nearby kingdom,” meaning the sacred nature of the place rather than its importance as a building (Gardner 163). This place is free of the “most dishonourable of faults in a knight, cowardice,” and the arrival of Gawain to the chapel correlates with revealing the truth about the importance of religion for Arthur’s people (Burrow 104). In this way, when leaving it unharmed, he learns the lesson to teach the others, who willingly follow him.
Behavior Shaped By Religion
Throughout the narrative, the behavior of Gawain changes from ignoring Christian morality to respecting it as a complement to the knighthood. This shift is demonstrated by an allegory of an ax, which does not hurt the body but purifies the soul. From this point of view, the weapon “striking the stone like a walking-stave” is not related to actual punishment but shows the need to confess Gawain’s sins (Gardner 182). In this way, he has a chance to correct his conduct to become a religiously conscious person and guide others on the same path. In addition, this scene confirms that one cannot entirely rely on any societal entities while ignoring the spiritual underpinning of these organizations.
Another literary technique representing the perceptions of adequate behavior by the main characters from the Christian perspective is the use of situational irony. It is included in the scenes when Bertilak returns from the hunt and says, “I’d think it sheer joy” when Gawain kisses him (Gardner 143). At the time, he knows about the affair but pretends to be happy about it. This decision seems irrational as the sins of Gawain are the reasons why he arrived at his castle in the first place. Nevertheless, this approach allows the reader to admit that the events occur as it was planned by Bertilak and Morgan.
Contrasting Men’s Laws and Christian Mercy
The difference between men’s law and Christian mercy is portrayed in the last part of the story, and it explains the latter’s power over the former considerations. It is primarily expressed by using direct speech, which is the main method of presenting the communication between Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Pons-Sanz 213). Thus, the phrases of the former man, “Upon my soul!” and “I’m certainly honored!” are intended to efficiently transmit his emotions (Gardner 143). In turn, Bertilak’s joyful exclamations show that he pretends to share these feelings. This type of narrative adds to the idea of the presence of a conflict between their viewpoints.
Moreover, its resolution is conditional upon the inclusion of juxtaposition, allowing for comparing the opposing notions. Thus, referring to the Young Queen and the Old Queen supports the impossibility of matching Christianity with knighthood at its present state. In this case, Morgan, with her secret plans to restore religious rules, is contrasted with the lord’s wife cheating on her husband. In addition, there is a link between love and the hunt as the guests who “fixed themselves up in their finest attire” are countered by “good young Gawain … in his gay bed” (Gardner 139; 141). Thus, this technique helps demonstrate the author’s efforts to highlight the significance of the former case’s appropriateness and, consequently, positive intentions.
Conclusion
To summarize, the inclusion of numerous literary devices in the story ensures the readers’ attention to the place of Christianity in the institution of the knighthood. In this respect, the most critical instrument is the use of symbolism to support Christian ideals and reproach any deviations from them. It is complemented by mentioning that events occur during religious holidays. At the time of his journey, Sir Gawain also prays to God and Mary and attends confession, which means he still has a chance for improvement. The selected physical setting contributes to the need to show the differences between adhering to morality and neglecting this aspect. As a result, people’s behavior is shaped under the influence of their values transmitted through the adoption of allegories, and Christian mercy is emphasized in the end by using juxtaposition and direct speech.
Works Cited
Burrow, John. “The Conclusion of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: Three Knightly Verdicts.” Essays in Criticism, vol 67, no. 2, 2017, pp. 103-115.
Gardner, John. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The University of Chicago Press, 2011.
Pons-Sanz, Sara M. “Speech Representation as a Narrative Technique in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.” The Review of English Studies, vol. 70, no. 294, 2019, pp. 209-230.
The poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a fascinating medieval piece from the perspective of typical themes included in stories of the time. First, the author emphasizes the central place of revenge aimed at supporting morality which is deemed to be an attribute of knighthood (Thomas 116). Second, he writes about the romance laid in the basis of the story for interpreting the ideals of chivalry through its lens (VanArsdale 5). Third, the particular roles of Morgan le Fay and Bertilak’s wife are highlighted to reflect on the conflict between the above provisions, which are relationships and appropriate principles (Ghani 60-61). Therefore, this literary work incorporates several themes, allowing it to accurately portray the reality of the period.
Honor and Revenge
The first aspect of this poem is the focus on the conduct of the male characters from the perspective of honor. In the story, it is intertwined with all the essential events, starting from Gawain’s initiative to follow the Green Knight to save Arthur from “such a foolish affair” (Armitage 43). By saying so, the former insists on the feasibility of selecting him for the mission as the “weakest of your warriors and feeblest of wit,” implying that his loss will not be critical for the country (Armitage 43). In this part, the theme of courage is highlighted, and the revenge is to be performed in such a manner that the king’s reputation is not affected (Thomas 131). In the end, the acceptance of “a bright green belt is worn obliquely to the body” by Gawain for his shame and the respect he gained from other knights for this decision confirm the role of values in the poem (Armitage 189). In this way, the moral provisions of this work are critical for its understanding.
Romance
The second idea, which is crucial for interpreting the story, is the romantic relationships of the main characters, influencing the tragic events. They are mainly presented by Gawain’s affair with Lady Bertilak, who tested him by giving him a green sash, which he chose to conceal from her husband (VanArsdale 7). When the latter confronts the knight by saying that the gift “was woven by my wife” and claims that “the belt you are bound with belongs to me,” it becomes clear to the reader that this theme was crucial for the ending (Armitage 179). Thus, romance is used in this piece as a tool for depicting deceit.
Female Figures
The third method for reflecting on the conflicting notions of chivalry and characters’ relationships is the focus on female figures, whose power explains the tragic outcomes. They are Morgan le Fay and Lady Bertilak, whose participation in the narrative is vital for contrasting the vice and virtue of knighthood. For instance, the former person is significant for creating the Green Knight while being described as an unpleasant woman whose “body was schort and thik” (Armitage 84). On the contrary, Lady Bertilak is the opposite of Morgan as she is more a victim of the evil plans of the witch. Thus, these figures’ capabilities differ, but they are still deceitful regardless of their motives.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the examined poem efficiently incorporates the themes of chivalry, romance, and female power. The characters are greatly concerned about their reputation but still are misled by their feelings towards the women. In addition, the latter plays an important role in their development in the story while taking the central place of the narrative intended to display the positive and negative aspects of knighthood.
Works Cited
Armitage, Simon. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. W. W. Norton & Company, 2007.
Ghani, Hana. “The Feminine Other: Monsters and Magic in Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.” J-Lalite: Journal of English Studies, vol 2, no. 1, 2021, pp. 55-63. Web.
Thomas, Alfred. “Writing, Memory, and Revenge in Beowulf, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and Hamlet.” Shakespeare, Catholicism, and the Middle Ages, edited by Alfred Thomas, Palgrave Macmillan, 2018, pp. 113-147.
Wondering what are the symbols in “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight? We’ve got your back covered! In this sir Gawain and the green knight analysis example we will assess all the symbols of the poem and explain their meaning.
“Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” is an ancient poem that tells the story of the exchanges between Sir Gawain and a mysterious Green Knight. Sir Gawain is a blood relative of King Arthur and a brave knight while the Green Knight is a disguised character who sets out to test his opponent. “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” was authored in an unknown date in the late 1300s by an anonymous author.
The unknown author who wrote “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” is also associated with three other poems that were found in the manuscript that contained this poem. The setting of the poem has always been believed to be Northern England. The author of this poem (referred to as the Gawain-poet in this paper) uses several stylistic devices that make this poem an outstanding work of literature.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Symbols
The poet uses several symbols in the poem to the benefit of the readers. The symbols that are used in “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” help the Gawain-poet to instill deeper meanings to this literary piece. This essay explores the symbols that are used in “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” and how they contribute towards the revelation of the poem’s meaning.
The poem begins by narrating the events that are going on in King Arthur’s court during the new-year festivities. A mysterious character, the Green Knight, arrives at the King’s court albeit uninvited.
The Green Knight proceeds to offer a challenge to all the feast attendees; any brave knight who is present at the court will have the opportunity to strike the Green Knight with an axe but in one year and a day’s time the volunteering knight would have to withstand a similar challenge. King Arthur steps forward and accepts the challenge but Gawain intercepts the King and takes up the challenge himself.
Gawain carries on the challenge by striking the Green Knight’s head with an axe and manages to severe it. However, in a strange turn of events the Green Knight bends down and picks up his severed head.
The Knight then reminds Gawain to honor his end of the deal by showing up to the Green Chapel to receive a similar challenge. Approximately a year after this encounter, Sir Gawain leaves for the Green Chapel to honor his end of the deal. The Gawain-poet details the adventures of Gawain throughout his journey in the rest of the poem.
Sir Gawain Symbols: Shield and Pentangle
One of the most prominent symbols that are used in this poem is Gawain’s shield and pentangle. The shield is a tool of protection especially for people who engage in armed combat. The pentangle that is contained in the shield is specific to the wearer (Sir Gawain). Therefore, the pentangle is a symbol of the virtues and values that are held by Gawain in the course of his Knighthood.
According to the poem, the pentangle is a five-pointed-star that traces its origins to King Solomon. In most ancient texts, the pentangle is often a symbol of truth or a magical seal (Green 123). The interlocking nature of the pentangle symbolizes the complexity of human virtues.
In the context of the “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”, the pentangle brings together the influence of “the five virtues, the five wounds of Christ, the five senses, the five joys of Mary the mother of Jesus, and the five fingers (Besserman 220). Consequently, it is apparent that as a knight, Gawain also seeks his moral, physical, and spiritual strengths from other places.
Gawain’s strengths and virtues are interwoven like the triangles in the pentangle. The endless pattern that is found in the pentangle echoes the perfection of Gawain character. For instance, when all the other knights are afraid of the Green Knight’s challenge he voluntary rescues the King from possible failure or humiliation. Solomon is said to have used the pentangle as a personal magic seal.
Solomon and Gawain: Similarities
However, later on Solomon became a symbol of wisdom, kingship, and might. The similarities between Solomon and Gawain’s use of the pentangle are that both personalities had flaws. At the end, Solomon turned away from God and eventually lost his kingdom while Gawain refused to honor a promise he made to his host. The Gawain-poet emphasizes the significance of the connection between Gawain and the pentangle.
According to Professor Burrow, several lines in the poem are dedicated to establishing this connection. For example, the poet mentions that the pentangle is a symbol of fidelity or ‘trawpe’ that associates Gawain with the traits of faithfulness and fidelity.
The poet then concludes that the object is befitting for the main character (Morgan 779). The symbol of the pentangle helps in developing the themes of bravery and selflessness. These two concepts are presented from a Christian point of view and hence the pentangle is a symbol of fidelity and faithfulness.
The Green Knight Symbolism: Green Color
Color green is a symbol with several possible interpretations. The main antagonist in “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” is the Green Knight. The Green Knight is presented by the poet as a mystical character with striking features. This character is noted to be green in color. In addition, the Green Knight has a green horse, green skin, a green beard, green clothes, a green-gold axe, and green hair.
The portrayal of a completely green knight highlights the peculiar nature of Green Knight’s presence. In addition, the Green Knight’s color uniformity suggests that he is a uniform character. Several analysts have debated about the symbolism of color green as used by the Gawain-poet. Some scholars have proposed that the Green Knight is a symbol of the god of vegetation and nature.
According to Basserman, the green color of the Green Knight symbolizes the “dying and rising vegetation god” (220). Other medieval texts have also made references to green men. In some instances, a green man symbolizes a ‘wild man’ while at other times he symbolizes the ‘evil man’.
The Gawain-poet combines both symbols because at the beginning of the poem the Green Knight is portrayed as a character with evil motives. However, by the end of the poem the Green Knight is portrayed as a straightforward character. Most scholars are in agreement over the fact that in traditional-English folklore the color green mostly symbolizes fertility and rebirth.
In the poem, green is presented as a pure color except for the green-gold girdle. The mixture of green and gold is a symbol of change in the form of passing youth. The green color used in the girdle first serves a symbol of immortality.
When Gawain is humiliated by his behaviors, he adorns the green girdle as a symbol of cowardice and shame. However, the Camelot knights finally adorn the green girdle as a symbol of honor. All these changes elaborate the ambiguity of color green as a literary symbol.
Sir Gawain Symbols: the Axe
The poem also employs the symbol of an axe that is held by the Green Knight during his entry to the king’s court. During the medieval times, the axe was a symbol of execution. Consequently, when the Green Knight is holding an axe he symbolizes the executioner. When the Green Knight enters the palace, he is holding an axe but he offers to be executed first.
This makes the Green Knight a strange and an unusual executioner. When the Green Knight picks up his severed head and rides away, it becomes clear that he is an extraordinary executioner, one who cannot die. In medieval texts, death is known as the only executioner who cannot die (Besserman 220).
Apart from the axe, the Green Knight is also holding a holly bob. In medieval England hollies were constantly associated with death and ghosts who would often come back to haunt their former residences.
Some medieval sources claim that it was “a well known fact within the English tradition that a holly bob carried into a house before Christmas foretells death in the coming year” (Krappe 214). Therefore, when the Green Knight enters holding an axe and a holly bob, his symbol as the executioner who foretells death is complete.
The Green Knight Symbolism: Girdle
The green girdle is another symbol that has ambiguous characteristics. The symbol of the girdle is like the one of color green and it keeps changing throughout the poem. At first, the Gawain is given the girdle by his host’s wife with the promise that it has magical elements and it will make him immortal.
However, when the identity of the Green Knight is revealed to be that of Gawain’s former host, the girdle instantly symbolizes cowardice and shame. Gawain resolves to wear the girdle for the rest of his life as a symbol of his shameful and cowardly act. However, when Gawain arrives at Camelot he finds all the other knights wearing the girdle as a symbol of triumph and honor (Tolkien 121).
Given the poem’s religious undertones, the Gawain-poet might have used the symbol of the girdle as a parallel to the crown of thorns that was worn by Jesus during crucifixion.
Jesus’ crown of thorns was a symbol of both humiliation and triumph. Furthermore, the crown of thorns signified the victory of Jesus after he had gone through turbulent times. Gawain goes through tough experiences that are similar to the ones that Jesus went through and in the end he receives a symbolic girdle.
Conclusion
A thorough analysis of the symbols that are used in “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” reveals that this poem contains several hidden meanings. These symbols also reveal that the Gawain-poet employs a strong religious theme. The poem also lacks a sole and definite meaning.
Instead, the Gawain-poet chooses to indulge the readers in dual-meaning symbols. Symbols are also used to portray the weaknesses of mankind in the face of tribulations. Most of the symbols in this story dwell on the subjects of death, human triumph, defeat, temptation, and honor.
The dual meanings in some of the symbols that are used in this poem suggest that the poet is not ready to pass judgments. A thorough analysis of “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” indicates that symbols are prevalent in the poem and the Gawain-poet intended to use these symbols as tools of hidden meanings.
Works Cited
Besserman, Lawrence. “The idea of the Green Knight.” ELH 53.2 (1986): 219-239. Print.
Green, Hamilton. “Gawain’s Shield and the Quest for Perfection.” ELH 29.2 (2002): 121- 139. Print.
Krappe, Alexander Haggerty. “Who Was the Green Knight?.” Speculum 13.2 (1938): 206-215. Print.
Morgan, Gerald. “The significance of the pentangle symbolism in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.” Modern (The) Language Review London 74.4 (1979): 770-790. Print.
Tolkien, John and Norman Davis. Sir Gawain and the green knight, London, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press, 1967. Print.
The poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” is a 14th-century poem that depicts the chivalric behavior of Sir Gawain. Sir Gawain is a perfect example of a Middle Age knight. The poem provides the reader with insight into the time when knights were guided by ten rules of the Knights Code of Chivalry. Throughout the romance, Gawain’s behavior is tested, and he is forced to confront his adherence to the code of chivalry. This essay will examine the character’s behavior and how it relates to the chivalric code with the related quotes. The author gives several examples of chivalry in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Sir Gawain is one of the most famous and noble knights of King Arthur’s Round Table.
The character of Sir Gawain demonstrates the chivalric code of the 14th century and the main values that were assigned to the knights. They were loyalty, valor, honesty and honor. Sir Gawain demonstrates these values in his thoughts and actions and he does the things that one of King Arthur’s knights is supposed to do. He is loyal to his King, obedient to the God’s law and experiences a court love with the Lady.
Sir Gawain is a perfect knight of the Round Table. He demonstrates his loyalty to the King when accepts the challenge of the Green Knight in order to protect the honor of the King. Thus, Gawain demonstrates the loyalty and his obligations to Arthur. In addition, the Green Knight’s challenge during the Arthur’s Christmas feast was the opportunity for Gawain to prove his courage.
Sir Gawain demonstrates his bravery replying to Green Knight’s words “Did I flinch, or flee from you when your blow felled me?” (Cooper 81) with the words, “Enough! I won’t flinch when you hack!” (Cooper 81). He also fights the dark knight and other beasts without a fear in his heart (which is one of the characteristics of a real knight) and proves the statement told about him at the end of the poem, “…Gawain, his name is too noble, he’s never afraid, nowhere…” (Cooper 81).
As all Arthur’s knights, Sir Gawain believed in God’s law and was governed by Christian rules. He believes that God will protect him, “So armored as he was, he heard a mass, Honored God humbly at the high altar” (Cooper 74).
However, his religious ideas contradict one of the “knight’s rules” of the court love. It becomes obvious when he meets Lady Burdilac. On the one hand, God’s law forbids any love affair with a married woman; on the other hand, love for a woman inspires a knight for a feat of arm. In spite of this, Sir Gawain overcomes the feel of temptation and resists Lady Burdilac’s seduction. It is another evidence of his chivalrous behavior.
Sir Gawain is described as a hero because he obeys the chivalric code which makes him a reputation of a heroic knight and people in the kingdom recognize him as an honorable knight of the Round Table. Sir Gawain passed successfully all the trials that he met on his way. In addition, the knight proved to be an honest man. He tells about the story with the Lady to King Arthur’s court. However, the court decides to transform Gawain’s girdle into honor and rank him as one of the most honorable Knights of the Round Table.
Thus, Sir Gawain is the best example of the chivalrous behavior. During his adventures he demonstrates the qualities that a King Arthur’s knight should possess. He fights against Green Knight and other beasts, he resists the temptation of the Lady Burdilac and he proves his loyalty to God and King.
Works Cited
Cooper, Helen. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: A Verse Rranslation. Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1998.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a chivalric novel written in the 14th century by an unknown author about the exploits of Sir Gawain, King Arthur’s nephew, showing the spirit of chivalry and faithfulness to his word. The poem’s imagery is based on Celtic, Germanic, and other folkloric and mythical traditions. The greatest court of chivalry dispenses courtesy: it is King Arthur’s Court, the court of child cortaysye, yet the plaintiff’s self-incrimination is mocked in this court.
Gawain and his companions are uncomfortable with the green stranger publicly calling them out at court. The noble knight feels deep remorse after failing to endure the trials and temptations. When the Green Knight offers his game, he does so in a harshly unpleasant manner. The Green Knight rolls his eyes and laughs, mocking Arthur’s knights as cowards when they do not accept the challenge. He mocks them for their cowardice after naturally being baffled by this strange creature’s suggestion to let someone chop his head off (Tolkien et al., 1967). A great warlord like Arthur should have been easily recognizable. Therefore, the Green Knight’s claim that he did not identify the group’s leader is highly offensive. The poet derisively remarks that Arthur’s supposedly valiant knights must be too polite to speak when they are too stunned even to respond (Tolkien et al., 1967). The Green Knight earned Gawain’s stab due to his insulting language and magical defense.
Overall, the Green Knight taunts and insults King Arthur’s court by demanding a Christmas game where the winner gets his axe if he dares to strike another man. Although Arthur agrees, Gawain asks that the task be given to him because he does not think it suits the king. King Arthur and his court are also offended by the Green Knight and Gawain. The Green Knight openly calls out Gawain and his friends at court, embarrassing them, and the noble knight feels deep regret for not being able to withstand hardship and temptation.
Reference
Tolkien, J. R. R., Gordon, E. V., & Davis, N. (Eds.). (1967). Sir Gawain and the green knight. Oxford University Press.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is an epic poem where the protagonist illustrates knightly virtues through overcoming the trials sent to him by the Green Knight. The trials, or tests, focused on five areas of knightly virtue: friendship, generosity, chastity, courtesy, and piety. This paper will explain how the five knightly virtue tests were implemented in the poem and explore how sir Gawain dealt with them.
Firstly, Gawain’s friendship was tested by his response to lord Bertilak’s hospitality. Despite Lady Bertilak’s attempts to seduce Gawain, he remains truthful to the owner, who accepts him as a guest. Lady Bertilak is described by Gawain as “more beautiful that Guinevere,” which emphasizes the fact that he was attracted to her (Winny 53). Thus, lady Bertilak’s romantic attempts towards Gawain can also be perceived as a test of Gawain’s chastity. Chastity presented an essential factor for knights during the time of King Arthur. Therefore, by staying true to lord Bertilak, Gawain also demonstrated his commitment to the ideals of chivalry.
Next, considering the aspect of courtesy, Gawain’s desire to defend the honor of King Arthur through a fight with the Green Knight presents one of the examples of Gawain’s courtesy. Moreover, Gawain remained faithful to the promise to fight once more after a year had passed and did not run away. Gawain’s initial acceptance of the Green Knight’s offer can also be seen as an example of generosity since he worried about his King and uncle, Arthur. Lastly, Gawain continued wearing the sash that Lady Bertilak gave him to remind him of his past sins, which is a manifestation of piety.
In conclusion, this essay explored the five knightly virtue tests in the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The tests in the poem show how high the standards were for knights and why they often became protagonists of heroic stories. In Gawain’s case, even though he did not remain completely faithful to all knightly virtues, he ultimately survived the trials and demonstrated his loyalty to the King.
Work Cited
Winny, James. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight – Facing Page Translation. Broadview Press, 1992.