The poet of the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, uses symbolism and imagery to discuss the opposing forces of nature and civilization. The medieval world struggled against nature and it was more of a threat to them than it is today. With their rise of civilizations, it demonstrated an attempt for people to separate themselves from nature. In the poem, the imagery of the green knight is used to suggest a connection to nature as he can be described as “completely emerald green” (Gawain, 150), while Arthur and his court represent civilization “the king with his knights entered the hall/ When the service in the chapel came to an end” (Gawain, 62,63). The representation of civilization demonstrates and opposition nature with a controlled hierarchy
