Women and a lack of names
From the beginning of the poem, great importance is put on names and on the meaning of a person's name. The characters have an obsession with names and a person's identity is linked directly with their names. Another common motif that is once more linked with a person's name is the lack of names given to women. In every part of the poem, the narrator mentions various women but without naming them. The lack of names is used here as a common motif but also to suggest the idea that women are inferior when compared to men.
Knightship
The men in the poem are all obsessed with the idea of gaining a knightship at the court. Because of this, the men are willing to do everything, to make every sacrifice asked of them only to be awarded the prize they desire so much. The knightship is used in this context as a symbol, representing the values important for the men in the poem and also how for them the perception others have is the most important for them.
The importance of names for men
One of the first common motifs which appear in the poem is the importance given to names. Every male character in the poem has a name and this is linked directly to their identity. When Le Bel Innconu claims he does not have a name, this knowledge shocks every person present and prompts the King to insist giving a name to the mysterious man. The importance given to names is a common motif in the poem and remains as such until the end of the poem when the main male character finds out his real name.
The forest
The forest is the place where Le Bel Inconnu lived for the majority of his life and also the place where he completed most of his tasks. While the other places in the poem all carry a sense of reality, the forest is shrouded in mystery and dangers. Because of this, we can assume the forest is used in the poem as a symbol to represent the fears the main character must conquer in order to become a real man.
