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Paganism In Sir Gawain's Poem 'Green Knight'

355 Words2 Pages

The green knight is a constant symbol of pagan fertility thought the poem. This is first made apparent the very first time we see the knight. “It would be hard to describe even half the fine work That was embroidered upon his [clothing and saddle-gear], the butterflies and birds, With lovely beadwork of green, always centred upon gold.” The embroideries and the knights entire appearance for that matter (possibly also with his head to toe green attire) suggest that he is in thought with nature, this is of coarse in sharp contrast to Arthurs court which he has entered which as with Gawain represents the opposite. As we know paganism centres around close ties to the natural world, and the examples of the green knights connection to nature continue

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