Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Essay

Words: 1736
Pages: 7

Importance of Armor and Christianity in the Journey of Knight Gawain

As a knight, the armor you wore showed prestige, strength, and knighthood. In “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,” the importance and significance of armor is shown both physically and spiritually. Physically, armor is laid upon Sir Gawain, in the form of silver, gold and other various metals. The armor itself is very important as it shows Sir Gawain’s transition into a knight with much nobility and loyalty. Spiritual armor is also an important factor in Sir Gawain’s transition, such as the pentangle displayed on Sir Gawain’s shield, and the picture of Mary on the inside of his shield, both representing the importance of religion and character. In relation to the spiritual armor present throughout Sir Gawain’s journey, St. Paul’s
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Paul’s passage. Physical armor, while protecting Sir Gawain from dangers around him, it also showed the growth and fall Sir Gawain in his journey. Examining part two of the story, armor already has a big role in Sir Gawain’s journey. For example, “Where much goodly gear gleamed golden bright;” (569), shows that the armor for him was ready, laid on the floor. Symbolically, shown through the gleaming and bright armor, his bravery can be seen as untested. The armor is not roughed up or broken down, it is untouched, just as his bravery is untested. Knight Gawain goes through the land of Northwest Britain, towards North Wales, confronting beasts of all sorts, fighting his way to the Green Knight. Continuing along his journey, Sir Gawain finds himself in a castle where great hosts take care of him. This is where his armor shows his downfall. “They bore away his brand and his blazoned shield;” (828), the armor not only protected Sir Gawain but it also represented him, showed who’s court he belonged to. Symbolically, this showed his downfall