Question

The Knights of the Round Table express their solidarity by wearing a green girdle as Gawain does. Why does Gawain wear the green girdle?

as a symbol of his courage
as a mark of honor
to show his love for nature
as a symbol of his weakness

Answer 1

Gawain wears the green girdle as a symbol of his weakness. He behaved deceitfully and returned to Camelot bearing the girdle as a symbol of his failure in keeping his vow.

Answer 2

Answer: the correct answer is as a symbol of his weakness

Explanation: Since Gawain was not able to exchange the girdle with Bertilak as the terms of the men's agreement mandate, it also means to the reader Gawain's desperate willingness to stay alive at the expense of his code of honor. Only after Gawain is "unsuccessful" the Green Knight's test does this meaning become clear to him.