Canto 3 Symbolism

In contrast to the two Canto’s preceding the third Canto, the majority of symbolism in Canto 3 draws parallels between two separate plots occurring in the tale. The two plots described in Canto 3 are Sir B. hunting in the woods, and Sir Gawain’s encounters with Lady B. back at the castle. These separate plots arise from the deal that Sir B. and Gawain make; that anything one man gains during Gawain’s stay at the castle, would be given to the other man. Henry L Savage recognizes the connections between the two plots stating, “The two series of events are linked not only by the “forward,” but also by a certain parallelism in their situations” (Savage, Henry L). On the three days of the hunt, Sir B. and his men hunt a deer, which is a symbol
Likewise, the author again describes the hunt for the evasive and cunning fox on the third day with paralleled language to the encounters between Sir Gawain and Lady B. When Lady B. finally learns that Gawain will not fall for her seduction tricks, she offers to give him gifts, a test of Gawain’s true valor. She offers him an expensive ring which symbolizes earthly desires. He refuses the ring, showing that he is virtuous in that he is not greedy. Additionally, Lady B. offers him a Green Girdle, which she claims will protect him from harm. Gawain accepts this gift, out of fear of his encounter with the Green Knight. This girdle is symbolic of a man’s fall from grace and the desire to turn from the chivalric code. In conclusion, throughout Canto 3, the constant use of symbolism model the developing of Gawain and display his steadfast manner to the chivalric code he by which is bound. Besides his one fault of keeping the Green Girdle, Gawain stays true to his purity by not succumbing to Lady B’s seduction attempts and proves himself to be an honorable knight and guest at the castle. Gawain's steadfastness in Canto 3 furthers his growth as the Solar