The Syngne of Surfet and the Surfeit of Signs in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Sir Gawaine and the Green Knight, a poem of pitting chivalrous courage against a game of deceitful trickery, relies heavily on the symbolic messages its protagonists send through their apparel. The anonymous poet dedicates numerous lines to describing the artifacts of armor, clothing, and jewelry both characters display. Dress, designed to convey a multitude of concepts is crucial to the story's plot; the elements of garb also work in tandem to reaffirm specific personality traits. The dominant role and emphasis of apparel as portrayed by the poet is in part a logical extension of the medieval culture climate in which the poem was penned. Middle era society placed high value on cloth and textile in general, an attitude that is reflected in the poem, where the author places high value on its description and uses it to convey plot and personas.

Edmund Spenser’s epic poem The Faerie Queene is well known as an allegorical work, and the poem is typically read in relation to the political and religious context of the time. The term allegory tends to be loosely defined, rendering a whole work an extended metaphor, or even implying “any writing in verse or prose that has a double meaning”(Cuddon 20). In true Spenserian style, with everything having double meanings, both uses of the term allegory are applicable to his writing. Thus, during the course of this essay it is best not to think of allegory in terms of the size of a body of writing, but as writing with a “second distinct meaning partially hidden behind its literal or visible meaning”(Baldick 6). Whilst reading for political and religious allegory is key in understanding Spenser’s message, reading for moral allegory also provides readers with detailed insight into the text.

Well chosen, detailed evidence is provided by multiple cases of boasting in both Old English literature, Beowulf, and literature inspired by Old English, Lord of the Rings. The two types of boasting are distinctly separated, contrasted, and complimented to properly demonstrate their existences in each example cited. The conclusion of the relation of bragging preceding a promise is well developed by the presentation of its use by Beowulf; such speaking is very effective. The paper also demonstrates that although there is a clear correlation between the effective... ... middle of paper ... ...ir courage as they prepare. Nelson uses the example of Beowulf’s last great battle to show how even with an extensive, powerful boast of bragging and promise, his objective of slaying the dragon was not accomplished.

Symbols are one of the primary features used by authors in this endeavor and Coleridge was no different in writing “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”. Many other symbols besides the four major ones discussed exist, along with other literary characteristics possibly acting as symbols or simply assist in exposing the message the author wanted to divulge. Ultimately, the beauty of literature is the fact that each person may perceive it differently and not be incorrect, and through open-minded discussion people may share, create, and impart new pieces of wisdom, spread appreciation, and share the love of Christ as well.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight contains many themes. Some of these themes are more obvious than others. Love, lust, loyalty, deceit, trust, courage, virtue, and righteousness are most of the themes within the poem. There are some more that are hidden within the concepts of the ideas that the poem presents. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, translated by John Gardner, many different themes are addressed throughout the story.

Symbolism is the act of using an object to represent an idea. A single object can have multiple meanings that can differ by the way that the reader understands the story. In “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”, there are multiple ways that symbolism is used, but one way that was particularly important was the symbolism of the pentangle. The pentangle, in “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”, represents the chivalric code and Sir Gawain’s upholding of it. The poem, “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”, is a chivalric romance of the late Middle- ages.

In English literature symbolism has been used to offer readers an extensive and open minded meaning for simple words. “A symbol is a word, phrase or, other expression having the complex of associated meaning; in this sense, a symbol is viewed different from those as whatever being symbolized” (Fadaee 19). Tony Morrison in Song of Solomon uses symbols such as peacock, geography book, cave, eggs, ginger smell, darkness, and flying to add more depth and sense to the story. Using these symbols does not only extend the meanings of some words, but coverts them into a important tool for thoughtful interpretation. Racism has been a sensitive issue that was illustrated by Toni Morison in his book.

Symbolism in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Symbolism is a literary technique used in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight to liven up the story and give a deeper significance to the plot. Almost anything in the poem can be interpreted as a symbol in one way or another. The Green Knight, the green sash, and Sir Gawain's shield are three of the most prominent symbols presented to us in this author's tale. The Green Knight, this poem's antagonist, serves as a symbol himself. He is not only portrayed as evil, but a mixture of the familiar and foreign, nature and synthetic, and divine and damned origin.

Of course, the poem has been written so profoundly that one may not grasp it completely at first glimpse, however John Donne does use explicit strategies to better convey his message to readers of all sorts. John Donne utilizes situation, structure, language, and musical devices to enhance the poem and to aid in delivering his message efficiently. The situation of Meditation 17 has a few parts to it, including where the poem stands as a story, narration, emotion/mood expressed, poetic voice, and tone. In regards to the poem being a story, it seems that it is merely a poem elaborating on the beliefs of the author without telling a chronological story. It is typically a persuasive essay that is not a narrative but a subjective scrutiny on humanity and death.

Milton’s poetic license entitles him to write as he pleases and therefore justifies his adaptation of an allegory into his epic. It is clearly apparent that Milton recognizes this privilege when... ... middle of paper ... ...ilton relies heavily on the Bible for much of his information. With Milton’s timeframe and era for writing Paradise Lost in mind, we can justify his choice to incorporate an allegory into his epic. Allegories present meanings on two levels, one literal and the other hidden, which often expresses a moral or idea produced by the author. With this in mind, the allegory is key to understanding many parts of Paradise lots since Milton addresses so many issues in this one scene.