Loosening Knots In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

In stanza 27 the poet introduces the symbol of the pentangle and draws a parallel between trawþ and endlessness. The image of the pentangle dates back to King Solomon and was used by the Hebrews as an attribute of Truth and the five books of the Pentateuch. Already, one can see that the origin of the pentangle has theological significance.

The important word in the preceding passage is trawþe, which roughly translates to the word truth. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word trawþe in the 14th century has several meanings. One definition, which is the more frequently known definition in Modern English, “is the character of being, or disposition to be, true to a person, principle, cause, etc.” The other definitions pertain to a person’s moral character. One definition relates to virtue in a more general, worldly sense: “faithfulness, fidelity, loyalty, constancy, steadfast allegiance.” The other aspect of the definition connects morality and religion: “conduct in accordance with the divine standard.” These three definitions present morality as an interlocking relationship that entails being faithful and on a humanistic as well as a theological level. One can see how the poet uses the pentangle to illustrate interrelatedness of the different facets of the word trawþe. Lines 627-629 show the other important feature about the pentangle, which is the endlessness; breaking one part of the pentangle ruins the entire symbol. The poet says in lines 626-629 that the pentangle is endless therefore trawþe is endless. The takes the endlessness of trawþe one step further, saying that since Gawain’s virtue is similar to the endlessness: “Forþy hit accordez to þis knyзt and to his cler armez/ For ay faithful in fyue and sere fyue syþez” (ll. 631-632). The history and description of the pentangle as well as etymology of the word trawþe imply that the ideal of perfection is a contiguity of faithfulness with other humans as well as with God or the Virgin.

For hit is a figure Þat haldez fyue poyntez,

Although the poet initially represents Gawain with the pentangle, Gawain does not live up to this idealized characterization. Gawain strives to live up the endless trawþ represented by the endless knot, but he finds himself in a moral dilemma with no resolvable outcome. By the end of the poem, Gawain identifies himself with a green girdle, which is also a knot. He goes back to Camelot wearing the “loken vnder his lyfte arme, þe lace, with a knot” (2487). The word “lace” illustrates the girdle does not have a prescribed shape and can be loosened unlike the pentangle. One mistake prevents humans destroys the virtuous contiguity depicted on the pentangle. The girdle is a symbol of humanity because it has the capability to be untied; however, with moral readjustment and confession, the knot can be retied. The hero’s love of life is the reason he sins but is a celebration of humanity. The poet recognizes that preserving life is something that should not be considered sinful.

In bytoknyng of TrawÞe, bi tytle Þat hit habbez,

When Gawain possesses the girdle, he does not become immoral but suffers from a trivial loss of some virtuous qualities symbolized by the pentangle. The main reason for some, but not all, changes in Gawain’s character is the fact that he faces a moral dilemma. If he keeps the girdle he breaks his word to the host; if he tells his host he breaks his word to Lady Bercilak. His actions now towards Lord Bercilak reflect his own decision. Gawain first breaks the fidelity and courtesy for his host; he chooses to conceal his gift from Lord Bercilak, which is cowardly and avaricious. Gawain also abandons the religious virtues of the pentangle by jeopardizing his chance for spiritual joy because of his attachment to earthly life. Gawain is aware of his appointment with death after he agrees to the Green Knight’s “beheading game,” yet he does not confess properly. He goes to the confessor and says “merci besechez/ And of absolucioun,” but he never mentions the

Some topics in this essay:
Lord Bercilak, Modern English, Table Gawain’s, Lady Bercilak, Gawain Arthur, God Virgin, Sir Gawain, Solomon Hebrews, King Arthur’s, Table Gawain, lord bercilak, lady bercilak, green knight, green girdle, girdle token, green chapel, gawain girdle, “beheading game”, god virgin, arthur’s court, green girdle token, king arthur’s court, desire lady bercilak, lady bercilak gawain, lady bercilak offers,