... feeling that he was going to die from this challenge. This reinforces the apparent strength and danger of this mysterious horseman, while showing that Gawain is not a pretentious or ostentatious character. Gawain's shield, complete with the design of a pentangle on the front and a picture of the Virgin Mary on the inside is perhaps one of the most powerfully symbolic items in this tale. The ... inclusion of the Virgin Mary highlights again the value of Christianity and faith to Arthur's Knights. However, the pentangle image can be viewed as a chivalric symbol. As the text explains, ......

• Word Count: 1520
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... . About his broad neck by the baldric he casts it that was meet for the man, and matched him well. And why the pentangle, is proper to that peerless prince I intend now to tell, though detain me it must. On the inner part of his shield [the Virgin Mary] portrayed, that when his look on it lighted, he never lost heart (1472-1743). According to ... the article, "ClassicNote on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight:" The Pentangle on the outside can be seen as a symbol of chivalric values; indeed the five virtues of Franchise ... , Fellowship, Cleanness, Courtesy, and Charity quickly summarize th...

• Word Count: 2124
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School