“Amazement seized their minds,
no soul had ever seen
a knight of such a kind–
entirely emerald green.” (Lines 147-150)

Throughout the story, the color green is used as a motif. The knight is green, he wants to meet at the Green Chapel, the belt is green, and the knights wear a green sash to remember what happened to Gawain and his whole ordeal/adventure with the Green Knight and Berlitak. Why would the author choose the color green specifically instead of a different color? In what ways does this enhance the reader’s experience with the text? How could this relate to nature?

According to psychology, the color green is representative of rebirth and renewal. With spring comes green plants and flowers, renewed after the long winter months. In what way does Gawain experience a rebirth or renewal? Perhaps after his experience with the Green Knight, he is “reborn” into a wiser being who now can recognize and admit to his mistakes. He learned through the experience that he must be honest with himself and others, in order to get a positive result. This clever motif used by the author allows readers to connect the color green in nature to the plot and experiences of the characters.