The Arthurian legends served as a means of centralizing Celtic culture and providing the Celtic people with their own myth in the 14th and 15th centuries AD One of these late 14th century Celtic myths century AD is Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Many interpretations have explained the Green Knight as a symbol of the spring season and a Christ-like figure. The story in fact describes several significant myths, such as those of Christ and an almost spring-like divinity, for the European people. The Green Knight and Bertilak, however, are a better representation not of a transcendent conception but of a mortal essence: the consciousness of Sir Gawain. The symbolism of the Green Knight and Bertilak as Sir Gawain's conscience provides a cyclical development of Sir Gawain's character by juxtaposing the characters of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, juxtaposing the characters of Sir Gawain and Bertilak and initiating Gawain's repentance for the his sinful pride. We say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The character symbolism of the Green Knight and Bertilak as Sir Gawain's conscience is first introduced with the juxtaposition of the Green Knight and Sir Gawain. At the beginning of the tale, Sir Gawain establishes himself as a good, just, and flawless knight through dialogue and narration at the Arthurian court. He is the only knight who challenges the goliath Green Knight as King Arthur's replacement. The Green Knight is described as having no armor but carrying a battle axe, which he does not intend to use, when he challenges the Arthurian court. Once Gawain accepts the Green Knight's challenge. Gawain is interested in protecting his king and court, while the Green Knight wants to harm the court. Gawain's Christian faith in God appears to be the source of his courage and confidence against the Green Knight. As Gawain sets out on his journey, King Arthur speaks of Gawain's integrity as Gawain might have spoken in the words, "'In fates sad or merry, true men cannot but try'" (ll. 564-565, pp. .1471). The Green Knight serves as part of a test of virtue at the beginning of the tale and thus as a critical point of Gawain's conscience. Sir Gawain continues his pilgrimage to the Green Chapel in hopes of finding the Green Knight and, ultimately, his true self. Sir Gawain and Bertilak are juxtaposed secondarily to further the symbolism of Bertilak and the Green Knight as Sir Gawain's conscience. In Gawain's moment of desperation and need for rest, the vision of Hautdesert Castle gives Gawain hope. The hope restored in Gawain with his vision of Bertilak's white castle conveys the castle as a safe haven and Bertilak as a savior. Once Gawain meets Bertilak, he examines him carefully, as if he knows him. Bertilak's familiarity suggests that Gawain recognizes some characteristics that remind him of the Green Knight, or rather characteristics that remind him of himself. His astonishment at Bertilak's presence is expressed in the lines: "So comely a mortal ever made by Christ like him. Whatever his birthplace, it seemed he might be without equal on earth in martial rivalry" (ll. 869-874 , pp. 1479). Bertilak seems interested in being hospitable and honest with his guest. The agreement between Bertilak and Gawain is to exchange whatever each receives during the three days. Bertilak's three days of hunting vividly represent Gawain's journey and his near future. Bertilak is relentless and ruthless in hunting defenseless animals, just as Gawain is restless in his search for the Green Knight. During the hunt, Bertilak.