Imagery In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

He swings it over his baldric, throws it round his neck, Where it suited the knight extremely well. And why the pentangle should befit that noble prince I intend to explain; even should that delay me. It is a symbol that Solomon designed long ago As an emblem of fidelity, and justly so; For it is a figure consisting of five points, Where each line overlaps and locks into another” “And the whole design is continuous, and in England is called Everywhere, I am told, the endless knot” (Winny). The pentangle was designed by the biblical King Solomon. King Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived and also one of the most foolish.

That all his force was founded on the five joys that the high Queen of heaven had in her child.” (640-645) Sir Gawain was the first to make the connection of the five points of the star with the five joys of Mary in Christ and the five wounds of Christ, therefore providing a unique perspective of the pentangle. Furthermore, the author was also the first to connect the idea of the essential five virtues a knight must have to the pentangle, which according to Pearl Poet are; generosity, friendship, chastity, courtesy, and compassion, “Now all these five fives were confirmed in this knight.” (655) Putting further emphasis on the idea that Sir Gawain was going to have a successful journey. Moreover, the idea of the “endless knot” (630) was given further emphasis by Pearl Poet as he successfully connected all the virtues in a way that each depend on one another. Where one cannot be left alone,

The Green knight’s challenge was to exchange blows with the Green knight. Sir Gawain’s over all character shows moral courage because he is brave,shows courage and keeps his word. He is brave and shows courage by accepting the green knight’s challenge. “Sir Gawain insists that he be the one to perform the test”. (Malory

While undergoing an attack from his acquaintance Ackley, Holden made it evident that he was quite fond of the accessory : “That’s a deer shooting hat.’ ‘Like hell it is.’”(Salinger 22). By rejecting this fashion advice, he is ignoring the opinions that try to modify him. The placement of this judgement sets a pathway for the reader to learn about the narrator’s unique and headstrong personality. If he is not willing to be open to

First is the prophecy that the three witches proclaim to him and Banquo in the forest. This occasion is what starts the entire debate of possessing power or not through violence. Next is Lady Macbeth for the reason that she is thinking of the benefits being the queen will have. Lastly, Macbeth’s own ambition of gaining power and seeking the love he does not wish to be lost from his wife compels him to accomplish the cowardly act of murdering King Duncan while he is asleep. So far, Shakespeare wanted the audience to not necessarily villainize Macbeth, but see him in a bad

Mr. Hadley describes how he wants them to “make the right choice for the long run” (implying how much more honorable the infantry would be). The irony in that is shown by the way they do actually have the “long run” in mind while making their decisions by picking a branch that will ensure their lives. In John Knowles’ novel, “A Separate Peace” the author uses rhetorical devices to describe how Brinker, Gene, and Mr. Hadley view which branch of the military the boys should enlist in. It is obvious that the author supports Mr. Hadley’s view of picking the more honorable route that ensures fame and glory in the end instead of their lives. An argument between the boys and Mr. Hadley breaks out as Brinker and Gene attempt to defend themselves.

It actually favors the person who deals the first blow. Gawain knows that he is assured to win because by killing the other person first they will not be able to strike back since they are dead. He takes the king’s place not because he wanted to be chivalrous, but he wants to look chivalrous while the other nobles are watching. Carl Martin, the author of The Cipher of Chivalry: Violence as Courtly Play in the World of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, puts it as “[The Green Knight’s] ‘unfair advantage’ insures his chance to deliver a similar blow, equalizing the game’s inherent imbalance - without which Gawain would have perpetrated no more than a gruesome execution” (Martin 317). Gawain enters the fight knowing that he has no chance of losing if the Green

[…] These make-believe individuals are thus crafted to be hero prototypes—individuals possessing powerful heroic qualities that we easily recognize and admire” (Scott 32). These fictional characters allow the audience to get a firm grasp onto something that they strive to be, not only for entertainment, but for inspiration and educational purposes as well. Heroes are designed for the audience to admire and respect. Scott and Goethal perfectly describe the obstacles that heroes must overcome in saying, “Struggle is a central, inescapable part of the human experience. Heroes separate themselves from the rest because they don’t allow struggle to stop them from achieving great things” (111).

Thorin is willing to admit his wrongs and correct them, which is incredibly noble and heroic for a dwarf as Gandalf tells Bilbo they are very prideful and stubborn. These heroes’ ability to accept apologies or to learn to apologize shows they are humbling and willing to accept the faults of themselves or others, another heroic

After all, Zaroff is experienced in hunting humans. Similarly, when Zaroff and Rainsford meet after the hunt the suspense is still intense. Even though Rainsford has “‘won the game,”’ (15) he “‘is still a beast at bay’” (15). The reader perceives that Rainsford is going to get revenge on Zaroff for putting him through such a hard time. Rainsford has outsmarted, like a cunning fox, Zaroff, and as a result Rainsford is safe.