What is the meaning of the word “symbolism”? Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. Some stories and poems might have different symbols depending on who the reader is, because everyone sees things differently. Sometimes the symbols from a story or poem can be vast and without end, and most are typically implied rather than clearly stated. In the poem “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”, there are three good symbols such as the Green Knight that challenges Gawain, the ax that the Green Knight had, and the green sash that the Green Knight’s wife gave to Gawain.
First of all, The Green Knight and what he symbolizes. The Green Knight symbolizes having a second chance in life. When Gawain first meets the Green Knight he …show more content…
The ax is a symbol of courage and bravery. When it was time for the Green Knight to take his turn with Gawain he made sure to bring out the biggest, sharpest, and strongest ax he had. The speaker reveals, “At last from, a hole by a rock he came out into sight, came plunging out of his den with a terrible weapon, A huge new Danish ax to deliver his blow with” (Lines 232-234). The Green Knight most likely was using the biggest ax he owned to try and scare Gawain even more than he already was. Also Gawain was scared for his life, but what the Green Knight didn’t know yet was that Gawain was wearing his green sash to protect him. The speaker says, “And high on that hill, he heard, from an echoing rock beyond the pool, on the hillside, a horrible noise. Brrrack! It clattered in the cliffs as if to cleave them, a sound like grindstone grinding on a scythe” (Lines 210-213). The Knight was in the back, making a really loud noise because he was sharpening his ax. The green knight grabbed the Danish ax to probably try and scare him out of doing the challenge. Catherine Swanson comments, “To Sir Gawain’s surprise, the Green Knight reveals himself as the host of the castle and explains the blows. On the first two blows Sir Gawain escaped injury, because for the two days he faithfully kept the covenant. The third drew blood, however, because Sir Gawain failed to reveal the gift.” Every time that the Green Knight Hit Gawain with the ax, it didn’t do …show more content…
The Green Sash has the symbol of life and death. When the wife gives the sash to Gawain, she tells him that whenever he is wearing it, he can’t be killed by anyone under heaven. Gawain is going to take her advice and wear the green sash to the meeting with the Green Knight. The narrator tells: “But he who knows what charms are woven within it. Might place a better price on it, perchance” (Lines 150-151). The wife means that if people knew what the sash could do it would be a lot more expensive than it already is. Diane Andrews Henninfeld remarks, “On the third day, however, Lady Bertilak offers Gawain a green girdle that she says will protect him from all harm. Fearing death at the hands of the Green Knight, Gawain takes the girdle, but does not reveal this to Lord Bertilak”. The rules of living in the castle with the Green Knight is that whatever the wife gives to the guest, they must give the same gift to the king. So when the wife gave anything to Gawain he had to give the same to the King. Gawain would give everything he got to the king except for the green sash. He promised to keep the sash a secret. He kept the sash a secret so that The wife wouldn’t get into any trouble and so that he wouldn’t die. The sash was just a normal sash to some people, but to Gawain and the Green Knight it could make them immortal. The Green Knight’s wife explains: “No man under heaven can hurt him, whoever may try, for nothing on earth, however
First of all, The Green Knight and what he symbolizes. The Green Knight symbolizes having a second chance in life. When Gawain first meets the Green Knight he …show more content…
The ax is a symbol of courage and bravery. When it was time for the Green Knight to take his turn with Gawain he made sure to bring out the biggest, sharpest, and strongest ax he had. The speaker reveals, “At last from, a hole by a rock he came out into sight, came plunging out of his den with a terrible weapon, A huge new Danish ax to deliver his blow with” (Lines 232-234). The Green Knight most likely was using the biggest ax he owned to try and scare Gawain even more than he already was. Also Gawain was scared for his life, but what the Green Knight didn’t know yet was that Gawain was wearing his green sash to protect him. The speaker says, “And high on that hill, he heard, from an echoing rock beyond the pool, on the hillside, a horrible noise. Brrrack! It clattered in the cliffs as if to cleave them, a sound like grindstone grinding on a scythe” (Lines 210-213). The Knight was in the back, making a really loud noise because he was sharpening his ax. The green knight grabbed the Danish ax to probably try and scare him out of doing the challenge. Catherine Swanson comments, “To Sir Gawain’s surprise, the Green Knight reveals himself as the host of the castle and explains the blows. On the first two blows Sir Gawain escaped injury, because for the two days he faithfully kept the covenant. The third drew blood, however, because Sir Gawain failed to reveal the gift.” Every time that the Green Knight Hit Gawain with the ax, it didn’t do …show more content…
The Green Sash has the symbol of life and death. When the wife gives the sash to Gawain, she tells him that whenever he is wearing it, he can’t be killed by anyone under heaven. Gawain is going to take her advice and wear the green sash to the meeting with the Green Knight. The narrator tells: “But he who knows what charms are woven within it. Might place a better price on it, perchance” (Lines 150-151). The wife means that if people knew what the sash could do it would be a lot more expensive than it already is. Diane Andrews Henninfeld remarks, “On the third day, however, Lady Bertilak offers Gawain a green girdle that she says will protect him from all harm. Fearing death at the hands of the Green Knight, Gawain takes the girdle, but does not reveal this to Lord Bertilak”. The rules of living in the castle with the Green Knight is that whatever the wife gives to the guest, they must give the same gift to the king. So when the wife gave anything to Gawain he had to give the same to the King. Gawain would give everything he got to the king except for the green sash. He promised to keep the sash a secret. He kept the sash a secret so that The wife wouldn’t get into any trouble and so that he wouldn’t die. The sash was just a normal sash to some people, but to Gawain and the Green Knight it could make them immortal. The Green Knight’s wife explains: “No man under heaven can hurt him, whoever may try, for nothing on earth, however