Sir Gawain Symbolism

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (SGGK) is full of different symbols that add to the meaning of this paradoxical play. From beginning to end, symbolism used throughout in order to convey meaning. The Pearl Poet, a paradoxical author, uses a contradicting marvel in order to teach the reader a great lesson through symbolism. Bursting through the door, with a holly branch in one hand and an axe in the other, the giant Green Knight presents a game full of paradoxical contradictions to the Knights of the Round Table. The Green Knight says that someone must hit him with axe and if he survives that person must wait twelve months and one day till he returns a blow. Sir Gawain takes up this task and chops off the Green giant’s head with the axe, presenting

“Longo suggests that the axe alludes to the words of John the Baptist in Mathew 3.10; ‘and now also the axe is laid to the root of the trees: every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down’” (Walls 14). Interestingly, Longo’s interpretation was denied by many due to the fact that he suggested the Green Knight is a satanic character of SGGK (Walls 14). However, the context of Mathew 3.10 may have some insight about the Green Knight, for the citation of the bible discusses how trees (people) who do not produce good fruit will be cut down (Walls 14). The wrongful beheading of John the Baptist, due to a request of Salome, may bring into sight a possible meaning of this scene in the play. The Green Knight may have “cut down” Sir Gawain if he did not pass the game however, he does not behead him because he remained noble. Therefore, the axe in SGGK shows a knightly hood of both Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, thus Longo’s interpretation was only half right. The pentangle shield given to Sir Gawain by the Knights of the Round Table is an important symbol in the poem. According to the Pearl poet, King Solomon designed the pentangle shield. In fact, it serves as symbol of all that Sir Gawain aspires to be as a Knight. The number five is a very prominent number with regards to the shield that Sir Gawain