Preview

Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Symbolism Analysis

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
254 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Symbolism Analysis
The tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is an example of a work with a plethora of symbolism. This tale incorporates symbolism, imagery, and biblical references to show what each object embodies such as color and the Green Knight’s weapons to name a few. The mysterious man who disrupts the celebration at Arthur’s court, also known as the Green Knight, is entirely green. In this story, the color green symbolizes or represents nature. For example, instead of being equipped with the usual weapons knights use, the Green Knight is equipped with a holly branch in one hand and a large axe in the other. These objects seem to have a connection with nature, the woods in particular. In addition to the Green Knight and his weapons, the location
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Literary Analysis
    • 2416 Words
    • 10 Pages

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Literary Analysis

    The English poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a significant piece in Arthurian Literature. The story approaches Gawain’s character much differently than in Sir Thomas Malory’s well-known Le Morte d’Arthur. Unlike Malory’s version of the Arthurian legend where Sir Lancelot is known as the Round Table’s finest Knight, the author of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight chose, instead, to have Sir Gawain play the role of Camelot’s most noble gentleman. In staying true to the theme of chivalry and virtue, the Gawain Poet tells a captivating story of a knights struggle to uphold the chivalric code in the face of temptation and danger.…

    • 2416 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    True Knightmenship In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight
    • 526 Words
    • 3 Pages

    True Knightmenship In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

    In the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight written by the Pearl Poet, Sir Gawain is proven to be a true knight. The Pearl Poet proves Sir Gawain’s true knightmenship in many different ways. Sir Gawain succeeds in earning the title “true knight” by passing the Green Knight’s test and proving the valor of King Arthur’s knights, but he makes mistakes in the process because he is human, like everyone else.…

    • 526 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Literary Analysis
    • 1163 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Literary Analysis

    Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a story about King Arthur’s nephew, Gawain. The story is about a mighty green knight who comes to the round table wanting to play a game. A brave knight will strike the green knight with an axe once after a year the green knight gets to return the strike to whomever strike him. However the Knight must find him and as we learn in the story his boast about how easy it will be to find him is a lie. After searching and combating deadly foes,…

    • 1163 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
    • 598 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

    The theme of Sir Gawain and The Green Knight is Chivalry. This was written in dialect and said to be written by a monk, but author remains unknown. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, The Green Knight was a creation by Arthur’s half-sister, Morgan le Fay, the ruler of mysterious Avalon, to embarrass the knights of his court. The Green Knight approaches the court offering beheading games and the winnings game while holding a holly-bundle and an axe in his hands. The holly-bundle symbolizes peace. Sir Gawain speaks up saying that he’s the weakest and should participate because he’d be the least loss to King Arthur’s (governor of Camelot) court. This all takes place around New Year’s Day and they call it Christmas-tide. A description of the Green Knight: All green except for his eyes. They were red. Sir Gawain was supposed to leave on November 1st, All Saints Day. This is a special day for praying to the saints. This day would have been better for Sir Gawain to leave, but he leaves on the 2nd, named All Souls Day. All Souls Day are prayers for deceased held in a place to speed to heaven. Sir Gawain is undergoing a test to prove he’s a Chivalric knight. The castle he visits represents heaven on earth and the guy Porter represents Peter. Gawain was given beautiful clothes as well as food to eat. He comes to the realization that he made a bargain and he has to deal with it. The woman he spoke to at the castle told him if he valued his life he would wear a sash, he was also told it would save his life. A servant accompanying Gawain to the games told him he wouldn’t tell if he chickened. Sir Gawain goes into the Wild West and hears a sound. It’s dark humor, the sound of the Green Knight sharpening his axe. In line 2214, he says he’s leaving, but a voice yells for him to stay. Sir Gawain looks up only to find the Green Knight standing over him and in that moment he knew he would be…

    • 598 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    (Monsters Lesson 08 Arthurian Legends)
    • 345 Words
    • 2 Pages

    (Monsters Lesson 08 Arthurian Legends)

    Gawain and the Green Knight The significance of Gawain and the Green Knight was that it was a story of the superior and powerful Round Table.…

    • 345 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Chivalry Essay
    • 636 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Chivalry Essay

    The textbook definition of chivalry is “a gallant or distinguished gentlemen” or “the system, spirit, or customs of medieval knighthood.” In the Medieval era, a knight had to behave in a certain manner, they had to follow the chivalric code or where punished. A knight had to be honorable and courteous towards others, and uphold a system of values of loyalty. A knight was required to have not just the quality and abilities to fight battles in the savage period of the Middle Ages but at the same time was relied upon to remember his chivalric duty and to maintain his composure. The concept of chivalry gave inspiration for stories about King Arthur and his round table in the Medieval period (169, Pearson).…

    • 636 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Analysis
    • 1012 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Analysis

    Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is without doubt one of the best known works of medieval English literature. Medieval England poetry was best known for its medieval romance, religious views, alliterative form and its chivalry nature. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is one of the best works of medieval poetry because it criticizes the fact that chivalric courtesy often displaces true Christian ethics. Sir Gawain a character in the poem was known for his chivalry, honor, and Christian faith. Medieval romance tales deal with the quests and challenges of Arthur and his knights. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Sir Gawain as one of King Arthur’s knight’s gets sent on a quest to meet the Green Knight. Another characteristic…

    • 1012 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight: Chivalric But Still Human
    • 1149 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight: Chivalric But Still Human

    “The motto of chivalry is also the motto of wisdom; to serve all, but love only one.” (Honore de Balzac). The Chivalric code is a clutter of rules that contradict each other and challenge normal human behavior. These rules of chivalry are predominantly concerned with courage, honor and gentlemen- like- behavior, which play an important role in proving one’s faithfulness to the King. In the poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Sir Gawain proves to be a hero because he continually struggles against his human flaws to act in a heroic manner. Sir Gawain is acknowledged as a chivalric human because he is a courageous man who perseveres through difficult events and faces both human temptation and terror.…

    • 1149 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
    • 754 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

    an anonymous West Midlands poet also credited with a lot of other poems written during…

    • 754 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Masculinity Analysis
    • 1610 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Masculinity Analysis

    Pearl Poet wrote Sir Gawain and The Green Knight as a kind of warning to those who are on the path of discovery. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl Poet means to say that connection with nature, along with an understanding and respect for modern advances, is key in the effort to achieve ideal character. Pearl Poet constructs The Green Knight as an example of pure balance of nature and civilization by adorning him in gold and green, giving him an intimidating physical stature, and allowing him to control nature by herding animals in hunts and having complete control over his horse. While in Arthur’s realm, Sir Gawain has become soft due to lack of adversity. Pearl Poet puts Gawain in situations such as having nightmares in the wilderness and almost freezing to death to expose the fact that Sir Gawain and the other knights have lost their connection with nature—an essential trait of beings of exceptional character—in their efforts to modernize their daily lives. By losing touch with nature, the knights also lose some of their masculinity. By not having to make dire decisions in the untamed wilderness, the knights lose their preparedness for situations that might cost them their lives. Pearl Poet views masculinity as the way one responds in trying situations, and what factors influence the split-second decisions made in these situations. Ideally, one who is a perfect example of masculinity reacts on instinct while utilizing knowledge gained from lessons learned in the modern world. Overall, Pearl Poet conveys the warning not to lose touch with nature in the pursuit of new frontiers to influence readers to reflect on past experiences and natural instincts before making the decisions that will shape modern…

    • 1610 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Sir Gawain
    • 3256 Words
    • 14 Pages

    Sir Gawain

    When writing, never explain your symbols. The author of ``Sir Gawain and the Green Knight ' ' dropped this unspoken rule when he picked up his pen. Why? The detailed description and exposition of the pentangle form the key to understanding this poem. By causing the reader to view Gawain 's quest in terms of the pentangle, the narrator compares the knightly ideals with the reality of Gawain 's life. The narrator uses the pentangle to promote the knightly ideals, but he also accentuates the primary need for truth in knightly conduct. Finally, the difference between Gawain 's reaction to his failure and others ' perception of his faults remind the reader that no one can reach the ideal, and rather than getting bitter, we should learn from our mistakes.…

    • 3256 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Sir gawain heroic qualities
    • 411 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Sir gawain heroic qualities

    Sir Gawain is faced by the challenge of the Green Knight. The Green Knight appears in King Arthur's court and gives an open invitation to anyone there "to strike one stroke for another" (Weston, 4) with his well made axe, a challenge Gawain takes to save Arthur, but the Green Knight is not the biggest enemy that the "hero" must overcome. The hero is generally portrayed as a noble, gallant, and nearly undefeatable man in most stories, and is placed on a pedestal. Throughout many cultures, a hero is often seen as being generally respected and admired for his heroism. Throughout the course of his quest, Gawain must face temptation and his less desirable qualities, not all of which he can overcome.…

    • 411 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Truth In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight
    • 1169 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Truth In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

    It all starts with the game presented by the Green Knight; "You will grant me gladly the little game that I ask as my right"(Poet 56). Being a king, Arthur cannot express fear because he is the protector of the society. Therefore, the King accepts the challenge but Gawain steps forward to take the king's place; "Let this game be mine"(24). As the game progresses, one can identify that the game was a test to see how true Gawain is to his code of chivalry. The game was not fair for Gawain because the Green Knight held superpowers(167). As it stated,"He held his head by the hair, high, in his hand; and the stranger sat there as steadily in his saddle"(167-168). The Green Knight had the ability to live without his head attached to his body. Even though he knows that he will die if he pursues the Green Knight, "Sir Gawain sets off on his quest to find the Green Knight and fulfill his part of the challenge"(183). Gawain went to face the Green Knight because of his Knight's code of chivalry. In addition, for a second time, Gawain holds his truth to the code in the game inside the castle. As Poet states, "determined not to deceive his host or violate the agreement, Gawain accepts only two kisses from the lady, which he (tells) to the lord at night"(p 183). Gawain could take advantage of the situation by committing adultery. Although tempted, he holds…

    • 1169 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Moral Analysis
    • 776 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Moral Analysis

    In the poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, many people believe that Sir Gawain does not abide by his principles, and he lets go of what he values most. He is so proud of his values that he depicts them on his shield, which he carries around everywhere. People do not contend about his first four sets of virtues since the book mentions,…

    • 776 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Feminist Analysis
    • 921 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Feminist Analysis

    The treatment that a stereotypical woman in the Dark Ages received was controversial because they were treated with deification and adulation, but were not respected as capable members of the human race. Much of the chivalric code that knights prided themselves on was based on the assumption that women could not achieve much for themselves, and therefore, men had to accomplish it for them. However, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight demonstrates that women possessed the ability to achieve their demands and utilizing their influences however they desired. Morgan le Faye and Lady Bercilak were women who did not play by the rules of their society, while Queen Guenevere was considered the stereotypical women in medieval times.…

    • 921 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics