Gordian Knot

"Gordian Knot Lock Co." (Chapt. 3, page 8, Panel 1)

The Gordian Knot Lock Company that is often needed by Dan and Moloch to restore their locks broken by Rorschach refers to the Greek legend of the Gordian Knot. This legend tells of an impossibly intricate knot in the square of Phrygia. It was believed that the person who could untie the knot would be the future ruler of Asia. Alexander the Great in 333 B.C. came along and cut apart the knot with his sword. to Once the lock is set Rorschach brakes the door open again by force. This foreshadows that seemingly difficult problems like the World's nuclear tension can be solved by force. Later in the novel Veidt mentions that he idolized Alexander the Great and shows that they have the same mindset when he solves the nuclear problem by force.

~"Untying the Gordian Knot." Mathematical Association of America: MAA Online. 29 Mar. 2009 .