1.Yvain gains a new identity known as the knight and the lion, Why does he need a new identity?

Yvain starts to refer to himself as the "knight with the lion." Yvain's new name is a declaration of his new life. He now sees that he can redeem himself and start better than he was before; quite similar to Erec, is rebirthed after the fight with the lion and the snake. In choosing the life with the lion, Yvain chooses to be a better knight. Rather than fight for all his own glory, he wants to fight and be chivalric simply because he sees it is the better way to live.

3. Yvain and Laudine meet again at the end, What kind of reconciliation is this then?

At the end of the text, Yvain and Laudine do in fact end up together. Rather than having the mood be a mutual feeling of profound love and romance, I got the impression it was more of a business transaction for Laudine. She does not want to be accused and have her reputation spoiled. In return, Yvain's apology and profession of love seems un-reciprocated. He pours his heart out to her and she simply accepts it and sees the other benefits of reuniting.

1. Gawain gives a speech on pp. 326-327. What is the outcome of this speech (in other words, what does this speech accomplish, for better or worse)? How do you interpret the agreement Yvain then makes with Laudine? What kind of agreement is this? Would you want to accept such an agreement? Why or why not?

Sir Gawain's speech is very similar to the what the townspeople told Enide in Erec and Enide. While Gawain applauds a love as genuine as Yvain and Laudine, he basically tells Yvain he cannot simply "luxuriate in a life of constant ease." In other words, he must prove that he is a knight, and similarly, his love will only grow stronger when apart from his beloved. He asks if he my leave, and she replies that he must be back within a year's time. I would not accept such an agreement. Although it is clear that Yvain cares greatly about his reputation, I would hope that my love alone would be enough. Even more so, a year is a great deal of time, especially considering how long they have been together.

3. Why does Yvain react the way he does to Laudine’s messenger? Why do you think we have this specific reaction? What might this imply? What happens in the wilderness? Do you notice any changes within Yvain during this part of the romance? What are they? How do you interpret these changes? (And what do you make of his “cure”?)

Yvain goes crazy, again similar to Erec. He lives in naked in the woods, he hunts for his food and receives the help of a stranger. Without Laudine's love, he has no purpose or reaction with his life. She was his believed reason for being and all that he cared about. He changes in this part of the text because the reputation he left his wife for, and the wife he was thus gaining it for, become nothingness to him. Neither matter at all. Until he is magically cured by the lady, he is blinded by all that was once important to him. I think that these two elements overall make the story the fairytale that it is, irresistible, yet completely far fetched.

The Knight with the Lion part One

Chretien used the prologue in Erec and Enide as a foreshadowing. Along with that, Chretien parallels his own life with his characters in the text. However, in The Knight with the Lion, there is no prologue. In Erec and Enide, the prologue stated the overall lesson that was learned by Erec (true love and appreciation must be discovered firsthand, even if it means losing such things). Chretien most likely left it out for a purpose. Unlike Erec and Enide's love, perhaps this new romance will be unable to be compared, something new. Chretien does mention "love " on the first page of the texts. He says that "But today very few serve love: nearly everyone has abandoned it; and love is greatly abased because those who loved in bygone days were known to be courtly and valiant and generous and honourable. Now love is reduced to empty pleasantries, since those who know nothing about it claim that they love, but they lie, and those who boast of loving have no right to do so, make a lie and mockery out of it." Through this quote, I get the idea that Chretien is setting his lovers apart. He wants it to be known that actual TRUE love, does not need all the details, events, or formal labels that most people in general give it. Thus whatever he has in store, is concrete and set apart from all the rest. Incomparable to what he has read, written, or experienced before.

Yvain seems to blend in with other knights and heros we have read about. Obviously he is illustrated as the best, most abled in the court. the heroine, Laudine, is immediately set apart. Unlike Enide, she chooses to marry Yvain. Her mind is already made up. She plans in her best interests, while still being socially accepted. Chretien does not paint the perfect picture however. Though the love he gives his characters a great gift, there is obviously a price they must pay. He states that whomever falls in love is a prisoner. Like Erec whom focuses solely on his love for Enide and must regain his old lifestyle, perhaps something similar will happen to Yvain. Nothing good comes without a price!

Erec and Enide Pages 90-122

1.In the last passages that we read, Enide passed Erec's test what are the implications of this? How do we see Erec and Enide's relationship change? Has nothing changed from before they left their kingdom? If so why do you believe Erec put Enide through this ordeal?

Erec has been looking for the missing piece of his relationship with Enide. He has gone on this journey to fully understand his marriage and his life. He now has a full appreciation for Enide. Though her speech once bothered him, and was perceived as judgement, he now has grown to love it. It is the first thing he awakes to in his rebirth. Enide is no longer just a possession to him. She has suffered just as much as he has in this journey; they have both made sacrifices for one another. Erec is now assured that he can be a great knight and husband as well. The tests he has put Enide through on thier journey together were so extreme, yet she "passed" all of them. Erec is assured of her devotion, what he is willing to give up, and he can now understand her. He saw Enide when she was alone without him, in a situation he has never seen before. The entire eason for this adventure was assurance.

2. In this last passage of the text we witness an interesting event, we are told of the "death" of Erec and his later "rebirth", what does this mean? Why did Chretien choose to not only include this? Is there a deeper meaning? How does this event relate to the rest of the text?


Erec is 'dead' for a long period of time before his miraculous 'rebirth' or awakening. Erec's physical calapse symbolizes his old attitudes toward life and his relationship with Enide come to a change. His old feelings for mistrust and judgement from his wife disappear. Her unending love for him is so prevalant once she believes him dead, that it is impossible for their realtionship to be as it was before. Erec is able to absorb her emotion and feeling. Rather than have thier marriage be an agreement, or business, as the rest of society views it, Erec now gets the justification he needs to freely love his wife as he once did. He does not have any stipulation. He knows that what they have together is real. Similarly his 'rebirth' leaves him a a better man. He can now see things through his wife's perspective. Not only can he be the physical "hero" but he can share the emotion of it all. Erec's 'death' period ironically opened his eyes from his old life, to his new one. By including this, Chretien raises Erec on a christ-like pedistal. He is now stronger than ever in every aspect of his life. He is the ultimate knight.

Erec and Enide Pages 60-90

2. Enide also speaks for the first time in the text in this part of the romance. What are her first words? How do you interpret her speech? How does Erec interpret her speech? How do you explain his reaction? Why?

Enide speaks for the first time in this section of the text. She lies awake next to Erec and mumbles: "Wretch, unhappy me! Why did I come here from my land?" Enide is concerned for Erec's reputation, though it is clear she is truly upset over her new lifestyle. She plainly says that she is unhappy. While she lived a very simple life with her parents, protected and highly respected, she now has a very complicated life. Though her father treated her as a possession, Erec does not treat her with respect. His reaction to overhearing Enide was concern , but more so for himself. He demands to know why he is "unfortunate." When Enide does not wish to divulge any further, she is threatened by Erec. The fact that he can go from making love to Enide, then waking up and threatening to leave her if she does not tell the truth, says a lot about their love. Enide simply wants to protect him, despite the fact that she is uncomfortable with her new role/life.


3. What do you think are Erec’s intentions in taking Enide on this journey? What kind of journey is this (from Erec’s perspective)? One of adventure? Self-discovery? Renewal? Something else? Point to specific scenes within the text to support your argument.

Erec has been void of any other passions than Enide since their marriage. Although it is Enide discovers the people's disdain for Erec's decision to abandon the knighthood, Erec makes a rash decision to leave the kingdom, in full armor, with only his wife. The fact that Erec refused to bring any other company, even for protection's sake, makes it clear that he wants to be alone with Enide. The marriage and his relationship with Enide happened quite quickly. The journey with his wife is perhaps a self discovery and an affirmation that he can still have elements of his old life within his new one. However, it is also an adventure. Erec wants to travel as far as possible. He does not want any tending to his wounds, he simply wants to continue on. he welcomes any fight, and even tries to conceal his identity until it is no longer possible. Erec wants to fade out Enide for a short time, while he discovers that the rush of his old life is not dead. In modern times, many couples getting married have "cold feet." They feel that they need to experience as much as they can before marriage, or make sure they are with "the one." Even after marriage, couples need to adjust to the new lifestyle. Erec is a perfect example of this.

Erec and Enide Pages 37-60

1. We always need to pay special attention to the beginning of a text, for here the narrator orients the reader on the journey that is to start. What information does Chrétien provide for the reader in the opening lines of this romance? Why the proverb/s (and how do we interpret this in conjunction with the story that follows)? What is Chrétien trying to do here in this prologue?

Chretien implies that much will be lost in Erec and Enide's tale. Similarly, the tangible items (people or things) or intangible things such as love and emotion, will be gone before their true value is realized. I got the impression that metaphoric blindness is going to lie ahead. Thus far, Enide is a very simple, yet well explained character. She remains silent, yet everyone accepts her without question. Will we ever get to know the real Enide? Perhaps this preface to the text suggests that Enide herself is the one that will be under-appreciated. "A man does well to make good use of his learning according to whatever understanding he has, but for he who neglects his learning may easily keep silent something that would give much pleasure."


5. What does the scene in which Queen Guenevere dresses Enide imply? What does this dress represent? What does this have to say about Enide’s character and about the way Erec views this woman?

Erec insists that Enide stay dressed in her ragged clothes for a clear purpose. He admits he would like for her to be 'properly fitted,' though more symbolically, he wants a physical change from her father's possession and lifestyle, to his own. We get this image of Enide throughout the reading, as being a gift from nature- someone who is naturally meant to be stunning. While she remains silent, the new adornments she now wears show a more outward and materialistic beauty. Perhaps she is being "corrupted" or led into this royal society, verses the simple, hard working life she is now leaving behind. The clothes are a physical symbol of the inevitable(?) or implied trouble ahead.

The Romance Of Tristan Parts 14-19

3. How are we to read Tristan’s madness? Is it far-fetched? More trickery? How might these symptoms manifest themselves today for instance?

Tristan goes mad because he has been apart from Yseut for a long period of time. He talks to his ring she has given him - to no avail. He lives a life with the "other Yseut" passionlessly and suffering. Throughout many points in the text, we see clearly that Tristan lives solely for his love. Though risking his life, blinding himself to reason, and isolating himself have been great sacrifices Tristan has made, his madness is a great culmination of everything. His "madness" leads him to walk day and night, making himself unrecognizable to even his truest of loves. It is not trickery, it is the result of the mind set he has lived in, and the loss of reason for living- his lover. Today one would be having a "mental breakdown." Though in Tristan's times he is simply considered mad, in a modern relationship he would be justified.



4. Why do you think Tristan and Yseut must die at the end of the text? How do you interpret these deaths? How does the text present their deaths? Why do you think this is the case? How might the ending comment upon the text as a whole?

Tristan and Yseut die at the end of the text because their love has finally broken them to the point of unrepair. They have been through struggle after struggle, that they finally realized their love simply cannot exist within the world they live. Often, they would confess they're love is free from malice, that it is "right." Clearly, it is not by the standards of their society. One can only fight for so long. In he text, the lovers simply die for their love and each other. This is the case. They can no longer go on physically, though it is suggested that they remain together in death. Death is the only way they can peacefully be together.

The Romance Of Tristan Parts 7-13

1. Discuss Tristan and Yseut’s stay in the woods (apart from their ‘repentance’). How are they living / surviving? What must they do? Why? What do you think is the deeper significance of this? Reference specific points in the text to support your answer.

Tristan and Yseut live a very hard life on the run. They have no way of getting any sort or bread, thus they must live off what they hunt (meat only). Though it keeps them alive, their diet is not fulfilling nor does it fully nourish their bodies. Often, Beroul writes about the hardships of constant moving and the character's physical lack of energy. Tristan and Yseut cannot stay in one place for more than a night, for fear of getting caught by Mark's men. Similarly, they must make their own shelters once they get to their place of rest. They must keep to themselves and not enter into towns.
While they could indeed be living in excess and luxury at the palace, they choose to live a very taxing life together. The characters have both physically and emotionally sacrificed heavily to be with one another. Tristan has lost his relationship with his uncle, one that used to mean a great deal to him. The king has everyone after him for a reward. Yseut has lost all her morals she used to live by. She is with a man that fought with her family, and concealed his identity. Her marriage was doomed for failure because of a "potion." However, it is not necessarily the potion keeping these two together. Whatever the case, their love is proven to be more important than all else in their lives.

4. We are told the love potion has ‘worn off’ after three years. Describe the reactions Tristan and Yseult have regarding this fact. Why is this the case?

Tristan and Yseut have very selfish reactions at first to the love potion wearing off. At first, they think off all that they themselves have given up for their relationship. While Tristan thinks of the kingdom, his knighthood, and the relationship he had with his uncle, Yseut similarly thinks of her marriage and the lifestyle she could have had. It is only until they both realize they are in equal position, that they start to really see 'the truth.' They love each other regardless. The three years they have spent together have been difficult, yet they have grown together and truly fell in love- not magically through a potion. Furthermore, once Tristan and Yseut decide to part, the promises they make to one another seem like it is an experimental plan rather than a future. Tristan promises to come to Yseut and take her from the palace if she is unhappy, while Yseut promises to come to Tristan no matter where he is or in any condition. Basically, they want to see if it was just a potion working it's magic. Although it is evident that this is not the case, Tristan and Yseut will more likely find this out once they have parted. With all the the two have been through alone, it is hard to imagine them splitting apart. Emotionally, the two have become different people because of one another. Their "love" changed their lives. Thus, the potion may have worn off, and they may be apart, but I predict this is not for long.

The Romance of Tristan Parts 1-6

1. Tristan acts as if he has nothing to loose. His confidence most likely stems from his title as the king’s nephew. Clearly, his title is earned. Tristan fights fair, such as letting his enemy have equal title and “self worthy” death, but he uses his physical strength to gain even more power in society. Had Tristan never gained the trust of the people, Yseut would surely have been burned or left with Ivain’s army. His fearlessness and over confidence do not end up failing him. Another possible root to all this is his unwavering faith in God.
Starting from the journey where he met Yseut, to finding the chapel on the hill, Tristan considers himself a follower of God’s word. He believes that he is in turn a very loyal servant. In reality Tristan is actually sleeping with his uncle’s wife- his “aunt”- and has betrayed honest men to do it. Tristan’s lies to cover up his affair have caused the death of many servants. He is not following the church’s commandments, rather he is breaking them. The fact that Tristan relies heavily on God to save him, so much so that he leaves God to physically guide him, is ironic.
The text illustrates Tristan to be the ultimate hero. Though he may not be altogether holy, it is clear that his faith in God gets him places. Without his unwavering confidence and stamina, his name would simply not be as respected in society. Tristan needs these characteristics to get what he wants- Yseut.


2. Language has tangible power in this text. Although Tristan and Yseut claim to have God’s will on their side, it is truly their speech that is key. When the king spies on the two of them in the tree, Tristan and Yseut know exactly the right words to handle the situation. The King could have very easily been dissuaded by their little act, but instead he is left in tears at their “genuineness.” As a whole, the plot of the text is driven based upon sure fate of situations. In real life, “magic” is not real. Circumstances such as Brangain and the bed chambers, the King in the tree, the roses sent down the river, ect., add a fairytale-like element to the text. Yseut is able to see Tristan not because she is physically strong or extremely beautiful, but because she can convince other’s to do what she wants. Tristan is able to escape his death by convincing his capturers that he want’s to pray. Though it is unlikely this would ever truly happen, it allows Tristan to escape. Both lie and swear that they are telling the truth throughout various times in the text. Truth is not really valued. The stories and lies told by every character in the text is used as a tool to gain whatever it is the character is seeking. Weather it is Tristan and Yseut’s love for each other, the King’s desire for power and control, or the servants gaining the trust of the King, the art of language is able to give them the tools they need to succeed.