Literary notes about gordian (AI summary)
The word "Gordian" in literature serves both as a metaphor for an intricate, seemingly insoluble problem and as a historical or titular reference. In many works, it invokes the famed "Gordian knot"—a symbol of complexity that can be undone by a bold, unconventional act, as seen in Poe’s illustration of untangling the mystery with a sabre [1] and Milton’s notion of learned hands dispelling an enchanted tangle [2]. On another front, authors like Byron expand the concept to denote bonds that tie together various layers of society [3]. Additionally, "Gordian" appears in historical narratives and titles, referencing notable figures such as a Roman magistrate and emperors or kings [4], [5], [6], which further authenticates its cultural resonance. Even in American foundational symbolism, the act of severing the Gordian knot is emblematic of decisive action exemplified by Alexander’s legendary feat [7], [8].
- And yet there is in this no Gordian knot Which one might not undo without a sabre, If one could merely comprehend the plot.
— from The Works of Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven Edition by Edgar Allan Poe - What power, what force, what mighty spell, if not Your learned hands, can loose this Gordian knot?
— from The Poetical Works of John Milton by John Milton - The Gordian or the Geordi-an knot, whose strings Have tied together commons, lords, and kings.
— from Don Juan by Baron George Gordon Byron Byron - Donatus, bishop of Arezzo, and Hilarinus, a hermit, suffered about the same time; also Gordian, a Roman magistrate.
— from Fox's Book of Martyrs by John Foxe - The Senate decreed Gordian III.
— from The Travels of Marco Polo — Volume 1 by Marco Polo and da Pisa Rusticiano - The very same lot, also, with the like misluck, did betide the Emperor Gordian the younger.
— from Gargantua and Pantagruel by François Rabelais - Alexander cutting the Gordian knot.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - In passing through Gordium he cut the Gordian knot, on which it was believed the fate Page 96
— from The New Gresham Encyclopedia. A to Amide by Various