Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Symbolism Essay

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was rich in symbolism. Interpreting symbolism in the poem is difficult since contemporary readers are unfamiliar with medieval literature and its intellectual background. Nevertheless, the symbolism in the poem enhanced the understanding of the reader regarding the medieval period and its customs. Two symbols that were essential to the creation of the poem were the pentangle and the green girdle.

Moreover, the pentangle represents King Solomon and a five-pointed star. After they take the shield with the pentangle out, Gawain explains the following:

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

The points on the star formed an endless knot that linked each other. The each point on the pentangle symbolizes one of the five virtues to which Gawain aims: generosity, fellowship, chastity, courtesy, and charity. Likewise, the means by which Gawain is a virtuous individual are the perfection of his five senses, the skill of his fingers, his faith toward the five wounds of Christ, and the joys of the Virgin Mary in Jesus. The endless knot is a suitable representation because the sides shift effortlessly into the next. In a way this shows how each virtue depends on the rest.

Furthermore, another symbol in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is the green girdle. The green girdle is made of green silk and embroidered with gold thread. The color of the girdle makes reference to the Green Knight. Moreover, the host´s wife states that the green girdle has magical powers, but the reader later finds out that this is not true. Henceforth, the girdle represents persistence for Gawain. Gawain fails to complete his task and does not exchange the girdle with Bertilak. Gawain expresses his disappointment as he states:

“For the cowardice and covetousness that seized me