In James Winny’s translation of the Arthurian Romance Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Gawain is King Arhur’s closest and best knight. The plot advances as he participates in a quest which tests the five ideals that comprise his character: fraunchyse, felagschyp, clannes, cortayse, and pité (652-4). The image on the outside of Gawain’s shield is the “the pure pentangle” (664), also described as “the endeles knot” (630), representing his embodiment of the five traits. Although the word “knot” only appears ten times during the text, sometimes as knottes or knotez, it is a concrete term evoking a clear image of a knob, bump, or tie. Throughout Sir Gawain, a “knot” is the best symbol of power because it represents not only Gawain’s power, but also
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Gawain’s pentangle is a figure where “uche lyne umbelappez and loukez in other” (628), or a line continuing for eternity never separating. A regular knot tied skillfully can withstand pressure, but an eternal knot fashioned in this way is infinitely strong and is capable of bearing any weight. The pentangle is not simply a representation of a general knight’s character or the goal to strive toward; “alle these fyve sythez, for sothe, were fetled on this knyght,” Gawain (656). The traits are a part of his core identity, and in an outward sign to display this fact, “. . . the pentangle nwe / He ber[s] in schelde and cote” as an extension of his body …show more content…
The power contained in the girdle compels Gawain to accept it so he may live after his encounter with the Green Knight. Gawain knots it around himself attaching it to his body as part of his armor, since the belt must be secured on him to be effective. When he finds the Green knight tricked him, he “kaght to the knot, and the kest lawsez” (2276), but adapts it as a badge of dishonor: “Loken under his lyfte arme, the lace, with a knot / In tokening he watz tane in tech of a faute” (2487-8). This example of loosening the knot parallels Gawain’s character flaw. No longer the seemingly perfect knight, he loses part of his prestige. Arguably, the girdle then loses its power. However, I believe the knot is still the best symbol in Sir Gawain because it appears wherever power is displayed and specifically reflects Gawain. After ridding himself of the girdle, Gawain wears it again and changes its meaning, saying, “Bot in syngne of my surfet I schal se hit ofte” (2433). Although Arthur’s people adapt it as part of their clothing, Gawain wears it as a sign of his shame. He is truly powerful if he is humble enough to admit he failed and forevermore wear the belt as a reminder of his downfall. Therefore, the knotted girdle possesses a new meaning and power, just as Gawain’s character has
Gawain’s pentangle is a figure where “uche lyne umbelappez and loukez in other” (628), or a line continuing for eternity never separating. A regular knot tied skillfully can withstand pressure, but an eternal knot fashioned in this way is infinitely strong and is capable of bearing any weight. The pentangle is not simply a representation of a general knight’s character or the goal to strive toward; “alle these fyve sythez, for sothe, were fetled on this knyght,” Gawain (656). The traits are a part of his core identity, and in an outward sign to display this fact, “. . . the pentangle nwe / He ber[s] in schelde and cote” as an extension of his body …show more content…
The power contained in the girdle compels Gawain to accept it so he may live after his encounter with the Green Knight. Gawain knots it around himself attaching it to his body as part of his armor, since the belt must be secured on him to be effective. When he finds the Green knight tricked him, he “kaght to the knot, and the kest lawsez” (2276), but adapts it as a badge of dishonor: “Loken under his lyfte arme, the lace, with a knot / In tokening he watz tane in tech of a faute” (2487-8). This example of loosening the knot parallels Gawain’s character flaw. No longer the seemingly perfect knight, he loses part of his prestige. Arguably, the girdle then loses its power. However, I believe the knot is still the best symbol in Sir Gawain because it appears wherever power is displayed and specifically reflects Gawain. After ridding himself of the girdle, Gawain wears it again and changes its meaning, saying, “Bot in syngne of my surfet I schal se hit ofte” (2433). Although Arthur’s people adapt it as part of their clothing, Gawain wears it as a sign of his shame. He is truly powerful if he is humble enough to admit he failed and forevermore wear the belt as a reminder of his downfall. Therefore, the knotted girdle possesses a new meaning and power, just as Gawain’s character has