In literature, authors often use words that have many meanings in the work. By delving deeper into these meanings, an insightful interpretation can be developed to allow the reader to experience a version of the work that is not apparent on the surface. In “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,” the author successfully attaches virtue, vice, and value to the Green Belt, an item that Sir Gawain obtains as a gift. The green color of the belt represents rejuvenation and change throughout history. Just as nature is reborn when winter turns to spring, Sir Gawain is reborn when the meaning of the belts changes from virtue to vice to courage. This helps Sir Gawain recognize the qualities he possesses in his character and he ultimately becomes a knight of valor and distinction. Sir Gawain, although not the most powerful of knights, showed himself to be of integrity and honor when he offered himself for the title. Game of the Green Knight in place of the king. He declared in his speech to the king that he was "the weakest... and the weakest in spirit"; (354) and that “the loss of [his] life would be the least of all”; » (355). Despite knowing he stood an unfair chance against the great and bold Green Knight, Sir Gawain proudly and courteously took King Arthur's place in the game. He was given a blow to the Green Knight in exchange for a blow back a year later. On his journey to receive his blow, Sir Gawain stops at a castle and, during his stay, is offered another game by the host; At the end of each day, the host will exchange their hunting prize for a prize Sir Gawain inherited around the castle that day. Of course, Sir Gawain accepted the game and played it fairly for the first two days. However, on the third day he received a green belt from the host...... middle of paper ...... In conclusion, the use of the green belt helped to reinforce the ideas of virtue, vice and value in history. When deeper meanings are added to a simple object, they help provide an insightful interpretation of history that might otherwise be overlooked. The belt maintains many different intentions in the poem and changes to help the young knight become a chivalrous companion to the king. Sir Gawain's attributes as a knight are discovered when the belt brings out the worst in him. However, he also brings out the best when he realizes the qualities he must acquire and recognizes his faults.Works CitedAnonymous. "Mister Gawain and the Green Knight." The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Eds. Abrams, Greenblatt et al. 8th ed. New York: WW Norton, 2006. Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford University Press, 2010. web. FEBRUARY 8, 2011.