Sir Gawain and the Green Knight ~pagan symbolism~
An examination of Christian and Pagan symbolism in "Sir Gawain and The Green Knight" "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" is one of the best examples of British Literature. It holds the fascination and wonder of scholars to this day and is perhaps one of the best known and most well read of all the King Arthur legends. There are several reasons why that might be. Some argue it is the brilliant phrasing of the poem and its organization. Others say that it is because it is a story that comes full circle and appeals to our base human need for organization and completeness. However it is the parallels and clash of Pagan and Christian symbolism found within the text that holds the most wonder. This is most easily seen when the text is divided into three distinct parts. The scenes taking place in Camelot is the first section that will be examined. Secondly we will take a look at Sir Gawain's travels as he searches for the Green Chapel and slowly descends into the world of the supernatural. Finally we will scrutinize the events that unfold while Gawain is a guest at Hautdesert Castle and his clash with the Green Knight. By examining all of these both individually and in their entirety we can see Sir Gawain's d
It is obvious that this section of the book represents Gawain's travel into the depths of paganism or a return to the druidic faith. Those encounters illustrate to us that Gawain is journeying away from the world of Christianity into a land of fantastical wonder and magic. Gawain is greeted warmly and pleasantly he is invited in. Part of the druidic tradition is that prayers are typically repeated three times because three is a particularly important number in the pagan tradition. Perhaps the greatest contrast of symbolism is found when the lady of the castle comes each day to tempt Gawain while her husband is away. He proceeds on with a guide who shows him to the green chapel and begs him not to go. "(189) The poet continues to describe the castle in glowing terms making it out to be an almost unearthly perfection of engineering and architecture. It was considered a particularly auspicious length of time by those of the druidic faith. The circle is completed in more ways than one. The City is described as a sort of earthly paradise or a rediscovered garden of Eden best illustrated by the poets description of Camelot "In this domain more marvels have by men been seen than in any other that I know of since that of olden time,"(172). The poet seems to be illustrating the true heroism of Gawain his devotion it is, after all, easy to be a devote Christian when one is surrounded by devote Christians. It is only after Gawain crosses himself three times or recites his prayer three times that this castle appears seemingly out of nowhere. "Bishop Baldwin had the seat of honor of the board's service" an especially Ironic point is drawn because of the celebration. This section is also the passage where we see Christianity and Paganism clash.
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