SYMBOLISM IN «SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT»
Journal Title: Наукові записки Національного університету "Острозька академія" Серія "Філологія" - Year 2016, Vol 63, Issue 63
Abstract
The article deals with the chivalric romance «Sir Gawain and the Green Knight» written by an anonymous author of the 14 century and representing English Middle Ages. As the complexity of the romance consists in its symbols, the subject of the study is symbolism in «Sir Gawain and the Green Knight». There is obvious repetition of number three in the text. This number is used in religious context symbolizing the central concept of Christian religion – unity of God Father, God Son and Holy Spirit. The religious connotation of this number can be traced in three prayers to Virgin Mary, three hunting days, three hunted animals, three kisses, three days of seduction and three blows. One more central symbol is number two representing universal dichotomy. A reader can observe this number in opposition «nature vs culture»; «luxury and warmth of the court vs hardness and unbearable cold while travelling» as well as in two verdicts at the end of the romance, two interpretations of Sir Gawain’s behaviour and two games at the beginning and at the end of the romance. One more central symbol is a pentangle on Sir Gawain’s shield. The pentangle represents number five which has various connotations and interpretations – five wounds of Jesus Christ, five virtues of knighthood and five joys of Mother Mary.
Authors and Affiliations
Г. Б. Бернар
Keywords
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