Note
FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Member of
Contributors
Publisher
Florida Atlantic University
Date Issued
1979
Description
In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the hero sets out
on a journey in which he is forced to make moral choices
that ultimately alter his self-knowledge. Gawain's journey
is the direct result of a challenge offered by the Green
Knight under the guise of a Christmas game. Metaphorically,
his actions are reflected by the pentangle, which although
composed of oppositions, always leads back to itself.
Gawain'3 divided consciousness is further symbolized by
the Virgin-shield, which alludes to caritas, and the magic
girdle, which alludes to cupiditas. Their opposition forms
the basic conflict of the poem: between spirit and flesh.
These symbols initiate two sequences of action wherein
Gawain is tested, fails and is absolved. He returns to
Camelot a new man, wiser for his folly, a true exemplar of
Christianity as symbolized by the pentangle virtues.
on a journey in which he is forced to make moral choices
that ultimately alter his self-knowledge. Gawain's journey
is the direct result of a challenge offered by the Green
Knight under the guise of a Christmas game. Metaphorically,
his actions are reflected by the pentangle, which although
composed of oppositions, always leads back to itself.
Gawain'3 divided consciousness is further symbolized by
the Virgin-shield, which alludes to caritas, and the magic
girdle, which alludes to cupiditas. Their opposition forms
the basic conflict of the poem: between spirit and flesh.
These symbols initiate two sequences of action wherein
Gawain is tested, fails and is absolved. He returns to
Camelot a new man, wiser for his folly, a true exemplar of
Christianity as symbolized by the pentangle virtues.
Language
Type
Form
Extent
61 p.
Subject (Topical)
Identifier
13959
Additional Information
FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1979.
Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
Date Backup
1979
Date Text
1979
Date Issued (EDTF)
1979
Extension
FAU
FAU
admin_unit="FAU01", ingest_id="ing1508", creator="staff:fcllz", creation_date="2007-07-19 01:53:21", modified_by="staff:fcllz", modification_date="2011-01-06 13:09:04"
IID
FADT13959
Issuance
monographic
Organizations
Attributed name: Florida Atlantic University
Person Preferred Name
COONS, JOANNE MARIE.
Graduate College
Physical Description
61 p.
application/pdf
Title Plain
"GAWAIN"-PENTANGLE: A STUDY OF STRUCTURE AND SYMBOLISM IN "SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT."
Use and Reproduction
Copyright © is held by the author, with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Origin Information
1979
monographic
Boca Raton, Fla.
Florida Atlantic University
Physical Location
Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Place
Boca Raton, Fla.
Sub Location
Digital Library
Title
"GAWAIN"-PENTANGLE: A STUDY OF STRUCTURE AND SYMBOLISM IN "SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT."
Other Title Info
THE
"GAWAIN"-PENTANGLE: A STUDY OF STRUCTURE AND SYMBOLISM IN "SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT."