Symbolism: The Pentangle
The narrator of Sir Gawain is very clear about what the pentangle (five-pointed star) on Gawain’s shield represents: It is a symbol that Solomon designed long ago As an emblem of fidelity, and ju...
Symbolism: The Color Green
The mysterious, gigantic man who interrupts the feast at Arthur’s court on New Year’s Eve is green from the top of his head to the tips of his toes. We can use other things we know about the Gr...
Symbolism: The Green Girdle
The green girdle, or belt, that Lady Bertilak gives to Gawain as a "lover’s token" is another symbol whose meaning is made very clear to the reader. When Lady Bertilak presses Gawain to accept it...