(Thesis statement): Although on the surface Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is not an overtly Christian story it is obvious that the author held Christianity in high regard due to Sir Gawain’s shield and the religious imagery it holds.
The author takes care in explaining, with great detail, the shield that Sir Gawain is given to carry during his adventures. This shows us the importance of not only the shield, the knight’s main form of defense, but also of the imagery on said shield. “Then they showed him the shining scarlet shield with in pentangle painted in pure gold.” (lines 619-620) As a knight going into battle fighting skills were critical, however it didn’t matter that a man was a great fighter if he had inadequate armor and shields. If said shield is emblazoned with religious art it could give the wearer a mental advantage over his foe. …show more content…
“So the star on the spangling shield he sported shone royally, in gold, on a ruby red background, the pure pentangle as people have called it for years.” (lines 662-665) We are told the shield has a red background with a gold pentangle. For knights the color red signified their readiness to fight for the church, including shedding their own blood to defend it. The color red has now come to symbolize love, charity, and spiritual awakening. Within Christianity the color red is associated with the Holy Spirit. It is also the color of Pentecost. Pentecost is a holiday in the Christian faith marking the day the Holy Spirit first came to Jesus’ followers. This event occurred a few days after the death and resurrection of Jesus. It has become known as the birthday of the Christian church. In Christianity the color gold represents God’s Glory and his divinity. During Easter and Christmas mass priests can often be seen wearing white and gold robes. “For Gawain was as good as the purest gold-devoid of vices but virtuous, loyal and kind, so bore that badge…” (lines
The author takes care in explaining, with great detail, the shield that Sir Gawain is given to carry during his adventures. This shows us the importance of not only the shield, the knight’s main form of defense, but also of the imagery on said shield. “Then they showed him the shining scarlet shield with in pentangle painted in pure gold.” (lines 619-620) As a knight going into battle fighting skills were critical, however it didn’t matter that a man was a great fighter if he had inadequate armor and shields. If said shield is emblazoned with religious art it could give the wearer a mental advantage over his foe. …show more content…
“So the star on the spangling shield he sported shone royally, in gold, on a ruby red background, the pure pentangle as people have called it for years.” (lines 662-665) We are told the shield has a red background with a gold pentangle. For knights the color red signified their readiness to fight for the church, including shedding their own blood to defend it. The color red has now come to symbolize love, charity, and spiritual awakening. Within Christianity the color red is associated with the Holy Spirit. It is also the color of Pentecost. Pentecost is a holiday in the Christian faith marking the day the Holy Spirit first came to Jesus’ followers. This event occurred a few days after the death and resurrection of Jesus. It has become known as the birthday of the Christian church. In Christianity the color gold represents God’s Glory and his divinity. During Easter and Christmas mass priests can often be seen wearing white and gold robes. “For Gawain was as good as the purest gold-devoid of vices but virtuous, loyal and kind, so bore that badge…” (lines