Sir Gawains Shield and the Quest for Perfection Essay

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a religious allegory full of Christian symbolism with the central message of sin, forgiveness, and redemption. The poem is a great story of virtues, trust and honor. Its an Arthurian romance in which Sir Gawain carries a shield on his chest in his quest for Green Knight. Gawains shield has two images, a picture of Virgin Mary on the inside and Painted upon his shield is a five-pointed star (pentangle). He is a perfect knight who realizes that it is important to be a good Christian The image of Mary inside this shield conveys that Gawain never loses heart and the detailed description of the pentangle is a key for proper understanding of the poems message. The poet spells out the†¦show more content†¦It is a symbol of the perfect chivalry. The pentangles placement on Gawains shield suggests that his knightly virtues may be a protection in his quest. It appears when Gawain is about to leave in quest of Green Knight. He wears it because it carries a special significance for him. He defines his life by this symbol and attempts, to exemplify the traits it represents. The physical features of the pentangle he wears on his shield emphasizes that hes pure and perfect like the gold on his shield. The poet also calls the pentangle a token of truth in line 626. Because truth is the largest significance of the pentangle and it points to the theme of faithfulness in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: Gawain is tested for his faithfulness to all of his promises--to the Green Knight in the so-called beheading game and to Bertilak in the so-called exchange of winnings. Pentangles endless knot forming five interconnected points is an icon for Gawains perfection and interdependence of his virtues. The interlocking lines of the pentangle are loyal to each otherTheir unflawed combination makes them strong. The narrators language emphasizes on the strong relationship of these five virtues that is being tasted in the poem. These five fives are being tempted during Sir Gawains quest for perfection. On New Years Day when in King Arthurs court all areShow MoreRelatedSir Gawains Shield and the Green Night: A Semiotic Analysis1378 Words   |  6 PagesIn the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Sir Gawain must go on a quest to find the Green Knight from whom he accepted a challenge a year earlier. Because Gawain lives the chivalric code, he must keep his promise to the Green Knight and let him get one swing of the axe one year and a day after he swung the axe on him. Before leaving for this quest, Gawain was given amazing armor and a descriptive shield. 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