Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - the Significance of 3
The Number 3
"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" was written by an unknown author during the medieval time period. Middle Age stories were about brave and heroic knights, such as the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. They were popular because knights were thought to be perfect. They were to follow the code of chivalry, which were rules and guidelines for their behavior. Including religious and military ideals such as faith, bravery, honor, and honesty.
In his poetry, he uses plenty of symbolism, especially of the number three. Three is a significant number and is a common symbol throughout. The number three is utilized by the author to symbolize the loyalty of Sir Gawain to the Green Knight. Sir Gawain is tested three times throughout the story. His first test is whether or not he is ready to take on the challenge that the Green Knight has proposed to him. Gawain went into the challenge just trying to save the day and calm down King Arthur's court. He never had a game plan going into the challenge (Glenn). Sir Gawain was also trying to show his courage and bravery by accepting the challenge. Chivalry is being displayed by Gawain because characteristics of chivalry are being courageous and displaying bravery, and Gawain is presenting that trait. The second way that Gawain is tested is whether or not he keeps his pact with the Green Knight. The challenge was that Sir Gawain can strike the Green Knight's bare neck, but in return Gawain will have to go to the Green Chapel so the Green Knight may return the blow. The outcome of this test is successful. He is honest to his word and completes the task successfully like he said. His third and final test was to test how he was with temptations. On his way to the Green Chapel, he finds a castle, and the lord of the castle invites him to stay. The proposal that the lord of the castle offers Gawain is that he will hunt each day and at the end of the day, Gawain and the lord
"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" was written by an unknown author during the medieval time period. Middle Age stories were about brave and heroic knights, such as the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. They were popular because knights were thought to be perfect. They were to follow the code of chivalry, which were rules and guidelines for their behavior. Including religious and military ideals such as faith, bravery, honor, and honesty.
In his poetry, he uses plenty of symbolism, especially of the number three. Three is a significant number and is a common symbol throughout. The number three is utilized by the author to symbolize the loyalty of Sir Gawain to the Green Knight. Sir Gawain is tested three times throughout the story. His first test is whether or not he is ready to take on the challenge that the Green Knight has proposed to him. Gawain went into the challenge just trying to save the day and calm down King Arthur's court. He never had a game plan going into the challenge (Glenn). Sir Gawain was also trying to show his courage and bravery by accepting the challenge. Chivalry is being displayed by Gawain because characteristics of chivalry are being courageous and displaying bravery, and Gawain is presenting that trait. The second way that Gawain is tested is whether or not he keeps his pact with the Green Knight. The challenge was that Sir Gawain can strike the Green Knight's bare neck, but in return Gawain will have to go to the Green Chapel so the Green Knight may return the blow. The outcome of this test is successful. He is honest to his word and completes the task successfully like he said. His third and final test was to test how he was with temptations. On his way to the Green Chapel, he finds a castle, and the lord of the castle invites him to stay. The proposal that the lord of the castle offers Gawain is that he will hunt each day and at the end of the day, Gawain and the lord