a symbol of his shame. Thus courtly love turns is revealed to be dark sorcery, which to accept is shameful. However, with its conquest comes absolution and honor. The message being sent by the author goes deeper still. Upon his return to the round table, the girdle is adopted by he entire court. Although this appears to be a symbol of Camelot's solidarity, it is also symbolic of how Arthur does not take Gawain's lesson to heart. The poet's audience was familiar with the legend of Camelot's fall, and knew its destiny to be degeneration at the hands of Guinevere, Morgan and Lancelot, emblems of courtly love. The poet's allusions to Troy reinforce the similarity between the two emblems of civilization torn apart by the discord caused when men covet women. Women and feminine symbols are the author's scapegoats in assigning blame for the end of the feudal economy and way of life, a simple, tangible, recognizable enemy that he blames for the end of an era, which, in reality, was brought to a close by sweeping socioeconomic factors beyond the control of men....
