Final answer:
The star on Gawain's shield, known as the Pentangle, has 5 points, representing the five virtues of knights in the chivalric code.
Step-by-step explanation:
The star on Gawain's shield in the Arthurian legends is often referred to as the Pentangle, which is a symbol of a five-pointed star. Therefore, the correct answer to the question, "How many points does the star on Gawain's shield have?" is 1) 5 points.
The Pentangle represents the five virtues of knights in the chivalric code, which are generosity, courtesy, chastity, chivalry, and piety. It is also known as the endless knot because the lines of the star form a continuous loop. This symbol of Gawain, which is intricately connected to the themes of the Middle English chivalric romance, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, highlights the intersection of chivalry, virtue, and the hero's identity.