Post originally by John Wray at 2004-10-01 17:40:55
Converted from Phorums BB System

Perhaps I am reading too much into the following, but I do recall writing a comparison paper many years ago on the development of the concept of hero between Beowulf (Old English) and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Middle English). The color green is a very strong color denoting magic. It's not an accident that Harry Potter's eyes, for example, is described as green in the books.

I wonder why Howard or should I say Kane choose a green sash? Purple is out. Royal color. Red would look better with his black garments, but I don't think Kane was into fashion, however, it is an interesting and obvious color denoting blood and therefore, sacrifice. In fact the absence of red is very telling. Does Kane doubt his God?

Green is the color of the forest where all things magic, usually evil, are present, superstition abound and the dark arts are practiced.

For Howard and Kane, the green sash could represent the magic that exists in Kane's world. A reminder that Kane witnesses not miracles, but mostly evil or the devil's manifestations. Kane finds no direct intervention of God's Hand, expect for himself. A God that gives humankind a free will is also a God that does not interfere leaving us alone fighting a more direct and concrete evil (at least in Kane's world). There would be a constant battle with oneself regarding issues of abandonment (Kane's love of the English, yet he cannot stay).

After reading his biography, I feel there is more Howard in Kane than I previously thought.