In the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, as Sir Gawain is being handed his gear for his journey to perceive the Green Chapel, he receives his flawlessly red painted shield, with a vibrant gold star in the middle. It is none other than the pentangle star. This monumental part of the poem creates suspense throughout every person in the room, due to the true meaning behind the star. The pentangle star represents the 5 virtues of knighthood, the strength of the five joys that Virgin Mary had in Christ, and the five wounds of Christ. It is not just a symbol of trust and strength, but an assurance of faithfulness. The text states, “Then they carried in his shield, striped with bright red; A pentangle star, painted pure gold, shone at its center,. …show more content…
This work of evidence shows that the author is conveying the importance of this pagan symbol, by creating suspense in a way of illuminating the characteristics of Gawain’s shield, and what it resembles. Regarding the fact that the pentangle star resembles the strength received by the five joys Mary had in Christ, Gawain assimilates the strength from Mary, and requests a favor. The text says, “When he prayed to Mary to end his grief, to guide his steps to relief. Oh Mary, gentlest Mother and dear, I beg you to send me some lodging, to let me hear Mass before morning; I ask meekly” (Lines 736-739 & 754-756). Furthermore, this evidence portrays that Gawain is desperate, so he reverts back to Mary, to fulfill his desires, which is a resemblance back to the pentangle shield and how it depicts Mary’s role. This creates suspense within the plot. In addition, Gerald Morgan, the author of “The Significance of the Pentangle Symbolism in “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight'', states, “In his description of the pentangle on Sir Gawain's shield, the author of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight reveals to us that such a moral interest can take exceedingly …show more content…
Morgan is exemplifying the fact that the pentangle star is a key pagan symbol in the process of showing how Pagan and Christian symbols cause suspense throughout the plot and characters, due to their significance. He is proving that the star plays a crucial role in the story and the development of the characters and plot. In conclusion, the pentangle star is resembled as a key symbol in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, as it presents the suspense birthed from it. Moreover, in the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the lady of the castle offers Sir Gawain a green sash, also known as the pagan belt, that she claims will make him invincible and he accepts it. This creates suspense in the plot and in Sir Gawain’s future because he later learns the consequences of accepting the sash, and keeping it, when deep down, he knew he shouldn’t have accepted it. In the text it states, “For any man bound with this belt. Can never be killed, hereunder God’s own heaven. And he was ready to surrender, then smiling, surrendered, and agreed” (Lines 1851-1854 &
Gawain, Arthur’s knight who takes the Green Knight’s challenge, is portrayed in different lights as the story progresses. Descriptions of fabric and clothing are integral to this portrayal. When he is departing Camelot to find the Green Knight, Gawain is depicted as a virtuous, chivalrous knight bravely facing his fate. His clothing, therefore, is red, symbolizing courage, and bears a gold pentangle, a symbol of virtue. This is described in lines 636-639, “On shield and coat in view/ He bore that emblem bright/ As to his word most true/ And in speech most courteous knight.
The novel/poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, is the story that begins the Arthurian Courts. During the Christmas festivities, a strange Green Knight enters wanting to play a game with the men personified as the most chivalrous men. Sir Gawain volunteers in the place of King Arthur in this treacherous game. In the game, Gawain beheads the Green Knight but surprisingly the Knight fails to die but instead lives with his head cut off. The Knight places a quest on Gawain that before the New Year he must travel to the Green Chapel to complete the quest. In the novel/poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the Green Knight represents God.
In the opening lines of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the Gawain-poet predicates the numerous dualities—which lead the reader through questions of moral seriousness—that exist in the poem. The opening historical recounting, according to Richard Hamilton Green, reminds the reader that “the greatness of the past is marred by reminders of failure” (179). The paradox of triumph and greatness arising out of failure foreshadows Sir Gawain following the same pattern of fate as his predecessors. While the completion of Gawain’s quest reaffirms the historical paradox of greatness, his journey to renown is fraught with situations and symbols that develop the poem’s main concern of moral seriousness. The Gawain-poet skillfully reveals his theme by leading Gawain on a journey in which nothing is what it seems. Sir Gawain and the reader are confronted with several contrasts of characters’ actions and intentions, symbolic meanings, and Christian and secular virtues. Mainly by showing the difference between actions and attitudes while inside in a social situation and outside in a more wild, untamed environment, these contrasts help to emphasize the importance of unbending faith and loyalty.
9. The poet may be telling the Knights of the Garter to remember that Sir Gawain survived because he lived by the codes of honor and respect that were so important for the knights to live by. As each knight at the Round Table is asked to wear the green garter, they are asked to remember the Sir Gawain’s courage and honorable behavior.
middle of paper ... ... The temptations were resisted; the beheading stroke of the Green Knight was survived; the Shadow was recognized and assimilated; but the Ego and Anima have not yet had the opportunity to complete their essential encounter. Perhaps that, then, is why Gawain wears his ‘badge of false faith’ - as a reminder that, until he does complete his quest for individuation, he shall never be nor feel whole.
Christian Values in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Thesis Statement: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight shows the struggle between a good Christian man against the temptations of this world. I. Taking a Stand A. Worthiness B. Sir Gawain stands C. Trial overcome II.
Before Gawain departs for his journey to the Green Chapel, he is given a shield designed with a pentangle, an endless knot on the outside, on the inside was an image of the “Queen of Heaven found in her child” (l. 647), the Virgin Mary and her the child Jesus. The image of Mary and Jesus is a reminder of integrity, faithfulness, and purity the vital characteristics of being not only a knight, but also being one of God’s followers. He embarks on this journey with “his horse by forest and hill, And no one but God to talk to on the way” (l. 695-696). During this time, Sir Gawain prays to God for a place to celebrate Christmas mass. He prays to Mary and ends his prayer with a “Pater and Ave and Creed” (l. 757-758), which are The Lord’s Prayer, a Hail Mary, and the Apostles Creed. These prayers represents faith, charity, and hope. In general, this shows Sir Gawain is very religious due to the fact that he repeatedly prays and give thanks to
Morgan, Gerald. "The Significance Of The Pentangle Symbolism In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight." Modern Language Review 74.(1979): 769-790. MLA International Bibliography. Web. 8 Apr. 2014.
In the anonymous poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the character of Sir Gawain is portrayed as the imperfect hero. His flaws create interest and intrigue. Such qualities of imperfection cannot be found in the symbol of the pentangle, which he displays on his shield. This contrast between character and symbol is exposed a number of times throughout the poem allowing human qualities to emerge from Gawain’s knightly portrayal. The expectations the pentangle presents proves too much for Gawain as he falls victim to black magic, strays from God, is seduced by an adulterous woman, and ultimately breaks the chivalric code by lying to the Green Knight.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a medieval poem by an unknown author, written in Middle English in the 14th century. This poem is uncanny to most poems about heroism and knightly quests as it doesn’t follow the complete circle seen in other heroism tales. This poem is different to all the rest as it shows human weaknesses as well as strengths which disturbs the myth of the perfect knight, or the faultless hero. The author uses symbolism as a literary device in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight to give the plot a deeper and more significant meaning. Symbolism is used to emphasise the difference of this heroism story against others and therefore symbolism is of great importance in this poem. The importance of the following symbols will be discussed in this paper; the pentangle, the colour green, the Green Knight, the exchange of winnings game, the axe and the scar. This paper argues the significance of the use of symbolism as a literary device in the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
Sir Gawain had a very deep devotion to his faith. There is proof that he loves his Lord and his spiritual mother, Mary, in his words and on his shield. “They brought him his blazon that was of brilliant gules with the pentangle depicted in a pure hue of gold” (Tolkien 47). The pentangle on his shield has five points and five symbolic meanings: The five wounds of Christ, the five senses, the five fingers, the five joys of Mary, and the five virtues of knighthood (Tolkien 48). Gawain also has an image of the Virgin Mary on the inside of his shield. This is purposeful in maintaining his courage and strength in times of despair. “…on the inner side of his shield [Mary’s] image depainted, that when he cast his eyes thither his courage never failed.” (Tolkien 48). As for his love of Christ, as well as his mother Mary again, "I beseech thee, O Lord, and Mary, who is the mildest mother most dear, for some harbour where with honor I might gear the Mass..." (Tolkien 52). These two iconic Christian figures gave Gawain the strength to face any type of opponent, even the Green Knight. "I implore with prayer plain that this match should now be mine" (Tolkien 36). These acts of faith prove that Gawain abides by his knightly code as it says, "Chris...
Sir Gawain's shield is a symbol with multiple meanings, offering both moral and physical protection. Through the display of the Pentangle and the Virgin Mary on his shield, Sir Gawain shows his belief in God and his trust in him. Each point on the Pentangle shows his virtues of free-giving, friendliness, chastity, chivalry, and piety. But also shows his five senses, five fingers, the five wounds of Christ, and the Five Joys. The Pentangle also shows that there is no beginning and no end. By the time Gawain thought it was over and he was going to die, it was...
In Gawain and the Green Knight, the poet used the narrative to point out how Gawain was the embodiment of what it was to be Christian but also show that he wasn 't perfect. He had his moment of weakness where he doubted God. This also shows how the mortality of man could be man 's biggest downfall because fear for his life
The Green Knight is a character in the 14th-century Arthurian poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the Green Knight appears before Arthur's court during a Christmas feast, holding a bough of holly in one hand and a battle axe in the other. Despite disclaim of war, the knight issues a challenge: he will allow one man to strike him once with his axe, under the condition that he return the blow the following year. At first, Arthur takes up the challenge, but Gawain takes his place and decapitates the Green Knight, who retrieves his head and tells Gawain to meet him at the Green Chapel at the stipulated time. In Sir Gawain, the Green Knight is so called because his skin and clothes are green. The meaning of his greenness has puzzled scholars since the discovery of the poem, who identify him variously as the Green Knight; nature, magic and a Christian symbol or death symbol, all exemplifies the color. Not only is green associated with the knight, but the color also comes into play when he arrives at the castle; throughout the poem and throughout his journey.
The pentangle symbolizes the five virtues of knights consisting of, generosity, friendship, courtesy, chastity, and piety. All of which Gawain is striving to adhere to due to his knightly obligation to the code of chivalry. Gawain alleges that all virtues are seamlessly interconnected in the man as in the geometric figure on the shield. Together with the amour, the shield seems to complete the visi...