Analysis Pages

Alliteration in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Alliteration Examples in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight:

Fytte the First

🔒 6

"He waxed as wroth as the wind..."   (Fytte the First)

“Waxed” means grew in size or intensity. Arthur’s growing anger or “wroth” is described with a simile, saying it is as angry “as the wind.” An angry wind suggests a severe storm to come. Further, the alliteration of the repeated "W" sound draws emphasis to this passage—and Arthur's anger.

Subscribe to unlock »

"the wightest and the worthiest of the world’s kind..."   (Fytte the First)

In context, “wightest” can be inferred to mean the strongest and most active or engaged. Note too the alliteration in “wightest,” “worthiest,” and “world’s,” with the repeated “W” sound. The Green Knight’s use of alliteration draws attention to his words, emphasizing his presence in Arthur’s court.

Subscribe to unlock »

"the pendants of the poitrel..."   (Fytte the First)

A “poitrel” is a medieval often richly decorated piece of armor used to protect the breast of a horse. The poitrel on the Green Knight’s horse is decorated with “pendants,” pieces of jewelry that hang from a chain.

Subscribe to unlock »

"gay gauds of green..."   (Fytte the First)

“Gauds” are things that are showy and merely ornamental. The alliteration of the "G" sound is also present in this clause to emphasize how extravagantly green the knight is.

Subscribe to unlock »

"vesture verily was clean verdure..."   (Fytte the First)

“Vesture” is clothing. “Verdure” is the fresh green color of vegetation; “clean verdure” implies that his clothing was only green, absent any other color. Note too the alliteration of the repeated "V" sound, which emphasizes this phrase.

Subscribe to unlock »

"the trains of treason was tried for his treachery, the truest..."   (Fytte the First)

The alliteration or repetition of the “T” sound at the beginning of “trains,” “treason,” “tried,” “treachery,” and “truest” creates rhythm in the line, in keeping with the use of alliteration in the original text, which was written in verse. Alliteration is employed frequently throughout the text.

Subscribe to unlock »

"the deep double ditch..."   (Fytte the Second)

The moat’s being a “double ditch” suggests that it was very wide, perhaps wider than most moats.

Subscribe to unlock »

"He spurred his steed with the spurs and sprang on his way so swiftly that the stone struck..."   (Fytte the Second)

A striking example of alliteration in the text, the initial “S” sound is repeated in eight words in the sentence: “spurred,” “steed,” “spurs,” “sprang,” “so,” “swiftly,” “stone,” and “struck.” The rapid, repetitive alliteration drives the sentence, suggesting Gawain’s great speed in departing.

Subscribe to unlock »

"The wild wind of the welkin wrestles with the sun...."   (Fytte the Second)

“Welkin” refers to the sky or the heavens, and the alliteration in this line—the repeated “W” sound—emphasizes the changes that the turning of the seasons brings.

Subscribe to unlock »

"they sing for the solace of the soft summer..."   (Fytte the Second)

The repetition of the initial “S” sound in “sing,” “solace,” “soft,” and “summer” illustrates the rhythmic alliteration found throughout the text. The soft sibilance of the “S” sound underscores the gentle tone of the description of springtime.

Subscribe to unlock »

Analysis Pages