Symbology In Sir Gawain And The Green

Knight Essay, Research Paper

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Symbology

“Trimmed with gold, it was green silk, embroidered with stones, but only at the edges” (Anonymous SGGK, 1832). The beautiful green belt, which Gawain received from the Host’s wife, represents Gawain’s weakness. One of the “rules” of the Round Table was to show no fear, which Gawain did exceptionally well. He, as well as the other knights, were expected to be fearless warriors who value their lives above no other. But of course, any human can’t be expected to dot his for we all love life too much. The Green Knight forgives him for this, “But you failed a little?for love of your life. I can hardly blame you” (SGGK. 2366,2368). Gawain is humiliated by his weakness; he “threw it to the green man” (SGGK 2377) and said “Take the faithless thing, may it rot” (SGGK 2378). He feels he has failed. “Fear of your blow taught me cowardice, brought me to greed” (SGGK 2374). So as a way of remembering “the weakness and error” (SGGK 2435) that he displayed, he vowed to always wear the belt. The function of the Green Knight’s belt was to show the readers that no one is immune to temptation. But when you do make a mistake based on your weakness, you should admit to it. Everyone has a weakness. NO one is perfect. Not even a knight of Arthur’s table.

Anonymous. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. USA :Mentor, 1970

Bibliography

Anonymous. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. USA :Mentor, 1970