This makes him more celebrated because it shows that he was able to overcome his tests and struggles, which comes hand in hand with being a hero. Building upon his imperfection, a hero must also be slightly insecure which ties in with being pious because he will lean heavily on his deity for help. Other events that more often than not accompanies a hero are lustful moments, instances where love plays a vital role in his fall, a moment of epiphany which alters his life, and finally a heroic journey home. All these aforementioned traits and qualities have been the standard elements that compose a hero. If these elements are then found in the texts, then continuity of ideas from the period of Saint Augustine all the way to Sir Gawain will then be proven. .
The first trait that will be examined for the two texts will be piety. Sir Gawain certainly did not lack this trait, and shows it on different levels throughout Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The first evidence of his piety comes in when his shield is described: "And why the pentangle was appropriate to that prince I intend to say It is a symbol that Solomon once set in place and is taken to this day as a token of fidelity."1 Knights' shields and armor at that time was all about presentation in order to strike fear into their enemies, or to show their economic status. Gawain's choice to emulate a great king in the Bible, is a clear demonstration of his piety. His shield also incorporated the image of Mother Mary inside it2, which he supposedly did because he would look into her eyes in times of battle in order to fend off fear.3 His courage and his faith was derived from both Mary and Christ's wounds on the cross, which further establishes his piety.4 Another example comes later on in the book after Sir Gawain left Camelot. His journey was a perilous one and it made him weary, so on Christmas Eve he prayed to god for shelter.
