The Importance Of Religion In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight?

The medieval period occurred during the fourteenth century. It was a dark time that roamed Europe filled with many misfortunes such as the plague and a famine. However, the people emerge from this troubling time and went through a period of renewal and discovery especially when it came to literature, thus medieval literature is created. In medieval literature, storytellers tend to embellish and fantasy to add a dramatic effect to drawn the reader’s attention to allow them to share the meaning of the story or lessons to be learned from them. One of the most famous medieval literature that emerged from this period is, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. This story is an example of the type of storytelling that was practiced during this time period.

Before Gawain departs for his journey to the Green Chapel, he is given a shield designed with a pentangle, an endless knot on the outside, on the inside was an image of the “Queen of Heaven found in her child” (l. 647), the Virgin Mary and her the child Jesus. The image of Mary and Jesus is a reminder of integrity, faithfulness, and purity the vital characteristics of being not only a knight, but also being one of God’s followers. He embarks on this journey with “his horse by forest and hill, And no one but God to talk to on the way” (l. 695-696). During this time, Sir Gawain prays to God for a place to celebrate Christmas mass. He prays to Mary and ends his prayer with a “Pater and Ave and Creed” (l. 757-758), which are The Lord’s Prayer, a Hail Mary, and the Apostles Creed. These prayers represents faith, charity, and hope. In general, this shows Sir Gawain is very religious due to the fact that he repeatedly prays and give thanks to

When the Green Knight makes his first appearance, requesting anyone to strike him, hiding the fact he is immortal and will remain unharmed. Gawain volunteers and severs the Green Knight’s head. The knight is unfazed and picks up his head saying “[s]ee, Gawain, that you carry out your promise exactly…make your way to the Green Chapel…to be readily returned on New Year’s Day” (l. 448, 451, 453). This is an example of one of the obstacles that Sir Gawain went through. This moment alludes to some of the parables in the bible. The people in the bible are tested and judged by God to prove their holiness and faithfulness to God. They were tested on their faith, sacrifice or love to God which can be apply to people’s daily lives. The people from the bible were tested in many ways and they either were successful or unsuccessful. Another test arise during the episode at the castle, Gawain was tempted by the spoils that were given by the lord. The lord blesses Sir Gawain with a comfortable place to sleep and provides him lavish meals he catches himself. When the time came for Sir Gawain to depart the lord is reluctant to allow him to leave. The lord is very persistence and convinces Gawain to prolong his stay, he even urges the lord that it is his duty to leave and complete the Green Knight’s task. However, Gawain is persuaded and trusts the lord’s knowledge about the location of the