Answer:
These lines from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight refer to the nick on Gawain’s neck as a result of the Green Knight’s blow and to the green <em>girdle </em>that he wore as a reminder of his <em>shame.</em>
Explanation:
'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight' is an English chivalric romance written anonymously. In this Arthurian tale, Sir Gawain accepts the challenge from a mystic Green Knight.
In the given excerpt, the words that completes the sentences are, "girdle" and "shame." Sir Gawain used to wear a <em>green girdle </em>as a reminder of his <em>shame. </em>The green girdle was given to Sir Gawain by Lady Bertilak as a love token. The green girdle was worn by Sir Gawain, initially as a symbol of survival, but after he lost the Green Knight's test the green girdle became a symbol of shame for Sir Gawain.
Answer:
The author is trying to say that it's worthless to be classified as a citizen if you cannot vote, just as it is worthless to have a boat if you have no oars.
