Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Compare and contrast the pentangle on Gawain’s shield with the green girdle he later wears as a sash. What aspects of Gawain's character does each symbol represent, and how do they reinforce his transformation over the course of the story?

Explore the significance of one of the less prominent colors featured in Sir Gawain (red, gold, blue, etc.). How does its symbolism contribute to the work’s overall meaning?

Several of Sir Gawain’s key figures and symbols seem either adopted or adapted from Britain’s pagan history. How do these elements fit into the story’s Christian framework?

Discuss the role Lord Bertilak’s three hunting excursions play in the work. How does each parallel the corresponding encounter between Lady Bertilak and Sir Gawain?

How does Lady Bertilak define chivalry? What place is there for women more broadly in a society governed by the chivalric code?

Compare and contrast the poet’s depiction of Camelot with the poet’s depiction of Lord Bertilak’s castle. How does the juxtaposition of the two underscore the work’s key themes?

The second fitt opens with a lengthy description of the changing seasons. Analyze this passage (lines 498-533) in light of the work’s broader message regarding the natural world.

The poet at one point refers to Brutus, Britain’s legendary founder, as a “bold knight” (2524). What is the relationship between classical antiquity and the society depicted in Sir Gawain?