Arthurian Legend Midterm

Symbolism in Geoffrey's Episodes: Brutus' youth & freeing of the enslaved Trojans

the prophecy at the beginning foretelling Brutus's fate is commonly used for "Chosen One" protagonists in modern films and novels. Brutus's life reflects what we might call a "rags-to-riches" story: he begins exiled from his home country, but when he joins the Trojans he ascends their ranks and eventually achieves victory as their leader.

Lancelot (Plot)

1. Melegeant tells Arthur on Pentecost that he holds knights, ladies and maidens from the king's lands and household prisoner. 2. Kay tricks Arthur into allowing him to follow Guinevere to this prison by threatening that he will forsake Arthur's court unless the king grants him an un-named request. 3. After Kay and Guinevere have left, Gawain admonishes Arthur for his foolishness and suggests that they be followed. This suggestion is taken up and Arthur and his knights ride after Guinevere and Kay. 4. As they approach the forest they see Kay's riderless horse. They realize that Kay has been defeated by the splendid knight and that Guinevere has been abducted. 5. Gawain, who is leading, is met by an un-named knight (Lancelot) on an exhausted horse. This knight asks Gawain for one of his horses. When Gawain agrees, the knight takes a horse and rides back into the forest. 6. Gawain chases after the knight and finds his horse dead, the knight beside a cart. 7. The dwarf tells the knight that if he rides in the cart he will learn of the queen's whereabouts the next day. The knight hesitates momentarily (the battle between love and reason) then he leaps into the cart. 8. Gawain catches up and rejects the dwarf's invitation to join the other knight in the cart and be transported to the queen, but he does ride alongside the cart. 9. The dwarf brings the 'Knight of the Cart' and Gawain to a castle by a town. After the 'Knight of the Cart' has alighted from the cart, it and it's dwarf driver vanish and both knights are welcomed by the fairest girl in the country and her two beautiful attendants. 10. Fire lance bed episode--suggests an ethical struggle for Lancelot 11. The knights and their hostess watch from the window the next morning as Guinevere passes in a procession. Lancelot tries to throw himself from the window, but he is prevented from killing himself by Gawain. 12. The two knights leave their hostess and follow the procession led by the coffin, but it moves too fast. They ride through a forest where they meet a girl at a crossroads and ask about Guinevere. Guinevere has been taken to a land which can only be entered after 'great tribulations' have been suffered. The queen was captured by Meleagant, 'a huge and mighty knight' and son to king Bagdemagu of Gorre. 13. Although the kingdom can normally only be entered if it's king gives permission, the girl tells the knights that there are two perilous bridges that lead to the land: 'the Underwater Bridge' and the 'Sword Bridge'. Gawain disappears to the underwater bridge and Lancelot takes the harder one. 14. At a ford guarded by a knight, who is accompanied by a girl, Lancelot's horse goes to drink. The guardian knight warns the 'Knight of the Cart' three times not to approach the ford, but is ignored as the 'Knight of the Cart' is deep in thought and does not hear. 15. The guardian knight and Lancelot get into a fight and just as Lancelot is about to kill him, the guardian knight's girl promises to grant the 'Knight of the Cart' a future wish provided he allows her knight live. 16. The 'Knight of the Cart' later encounters another beautiful girl who offers to lodge him if he sleeps with her. Staged rape scene. The girl doesn't make him sleep with her. 17.. In the morning the hostess tells the 'Knight of the Cart' that, if he will escort her honorably, she will accompany him on the next part of his quest. 18. In the meadow the 'Knight of the Cart' sees a comb and admires its quality. When the girl tells him to give the comb to her, he asserts and picks it up. She tells him that she is sure that the comb belongs to Guinevere and that the hairs entangled in it are the queen's. At this revelation, the knight swoons and almost falls from his horse. 19. Now they enter a forest, taking a track that narrows and at the narrowest point they meet a knight who is in love with the girl accompanying the 'Knight of the Cart' and who says he wishes to carry her off. The 'Knight of the Cart' says he will defend the girl and, as there is no room to fight on the path, the challenging knight takes them to a nearby meadow he knows. 20. In the meadow knights and ladies are playing games, watched by an elderly knight with his retinue. The gamesplayers recognise the 'Knight of the Cart' and stop their games because of the hatred they feel for any knight who has ridden in so shameful a conveyance as a cart. The 'Knight of the Cart' challenges the suitor knight to fight for the possession of the maiden. However the suitor knight is prevented from fighting by the elderly knight, the suitor's father, who has to have him physically restrained, though the suitor knight still instists he will fight the 'Knight of the Cart'. 21. When the gamesplayers see that their overlord that regards the 'Knight of the Cart' as possessing prowess, they resume their games and say that it would be shameful not to play in his presence. Persuaded by his father, the suitor knight agrees not to fight the 'Knight of the Cart' and agrees to his father's plan of following him at a distance after he leaves. 22. The 'Knight of the Cart' and the girl ride on to a church, where the knight enters and prays. As he leaves he meets an elderly monk who tells him that Inside the crypt are tombs of fine knights and three tombs intended for three of Arthur's knights. 23. There is also a large slab that Lancelot lifts to the Monk's amazement. The slab is inscribed with a message that says whoever lifts it will free Melegeant's prisoners. 24. When they arrive at the church, the suitor knight and his father are told by the elderly monk of the feat of strength performed by the 'Knight of the Cart'. Father and son agree that it will pointless to fight a knight of such prowess and they return to their home. 25. When Lancelot still wont tell the girl his name, she leaves him. 26. Towards night the 'Knight of the Cart' meets a vavasour returning from a successful day of hunting and accepts this knight's offer of lodgings at his manor house. When the vavasour and his wife learn from the 'Knight of the Cart' that he is from Logres, they tell him that he, like themselves, will be imprisoned in the land in 'servitude and exile.' When the vavasour learns his surmise, that the 'Knight of the Cart' is coming to release Guinevere from 'this heathen people' is correct, he offers his sons as guides to the knight. 27. In the morning the 'Knight of the Cart' sets out; accompanied by two of the vavasour's sons. They come to a pass called the 'Stone Passage' where a wooden structure blocks their way. 28. On it is a knight, accompanied by men at arms bearing axes, who sneers at the 'Knight of the Cart' for having ridden in a cart. Then the two knights joust and the 'Knight of the Cart' throws the defending knight to the ground. Although the men at arms take hold of their axes, they make no move to attack the 'Knight of the Cart.' Seeing that they do not wish to injure him, the 'Knight of the Cart', with his companions, passes by them with his sword sheathed. 29. Later the party is offered lodgings, but the 'Knight of the Cart' refuses because he does not want to delay. The prospective host explains that his property is some way ahead and will not be reached till late in the day. The 'Knight of the Cart' then agrees to accept the lodgings and his party follow their host. 30. After they have ridden for some time they meet a squire who is galloping towards them on a horse 'as plump and round as an apple.' The squire tells them to hurry because the men of Logres have raised an army against his people ('the people of this land') and skirmishes between the forces are already occuring. He continues that a knight of prowess ('The Knight of the Cart') has invaded the land and goes wherever he wishes within it. The squire finishes by saying that the prisoners of the land hope that this knight 'will soon free them and defeat our people'. Eager to join the battle, 'Knight of the Cart' and his companions hurry after the squire, who leads them to a 'daunting fortress.' 31. Once they enter the fortress a portcullis is closed behind them blocking their exit. They continue to follow the squire but are trapped when a door closes behind the squire. 32. The 'Knight of the Cart' and his party feel that they have been bewitched and the knight makes use of a magic ring, which he was given by the fairy who brought him up. The ring has the power to break any spell once the knight gazes upon it's stone. He looks at the stone and says, 'Lady, lady! By the grace of God, I greatly need you to come now to my aid.' As nothing happens he realises that they have not been bewitched, but have merely been trapped. 33. Now the 'Knight of the Cart' and his companions come upon the barred door of a narrow and low postern, whose bar they hew through with their swords. Beyond the postern they find themselves in a meadow where a battle is raging between two forces, each of one thousand knights with many peasants supporting them. 34. After one of the vavasour's sons ascertains which side is that of Logres, the 'Knight of the Cart' and his companions join it and fight. The 'Knight of the Cart' fights with such such skill and courage that many in the force of Logres ask who he is. When they hear that he is the man who will deliver them from servitude and exile they are inspired to fight with renewed energy. As a consequence of the renewed vigour of the men of Logres, the forces of Gorre come close to collapse. Then night approaches and the forces of Gorre are saved from a total defeat by the coming darkness. 35. Now the allies of the 'Knight of the Cart' quarrel over which one of them is to have the honour of lodging him overnight. He prevents them from coming to blows when he tells them that their offers of lodgings honour him as much as if he had lodged with each of them. 36. After he has lodged at the house of a wealthy knight, the 'Knight of the Cart' travels onwards but meets with no adventures. That evening he and his companions lodge at the manor house of a knight. 37. After they have eaten, a proud knight enters and asks which of them is the foolish knight who wishes to attempt to cross the Sword Bridge. After the 'Knight of the Cart' affirms he is that knight, the proud knight berates him for having ridden in the cart. He then offers to ferry the 'Knight of the Cart' across the strait which bounds the land of Gorre, reserving the right to take the knight's head as a toll. 38. After the 'Knight of the Cart' has refused this offer, the proud knight demands that they fight and this challenge is accepted. On a heath outside the manor house the two knights fight so fiercely that they kill each other's horses. The fight continues on foot and the 'Knight of the Cart' redoubles his efforts when he recalls how the proud knight insulted him about his having ridden in the cart and he brings the proud knight close to defeat. 39. Being beaten, the proud knight now asks for mercy. The 'Knight of the Cart' offers the proud knight this: provided that he will ride in a cart in his turn. The proud knight says he will do anything other than this to obtain mercy. At this point a dishevelled girl, riding at mule at utmost speed, arrives. She asks the 'Knight of the Cart' for the head of the proud knight, saying that he is 'base and faithless'. After some debate with himself as to whether he should be 'generous' to the girl or 'compassionate' to the proud knight, the 'Knight of the Cart' allows the proud knight to re-arm and fight again. He tells the proud knight that he will voluntarily handicap himself by fighting entirely from the spot where he is standing. Despite being given this advantage, the proud knight is again defeated. Now the 'Knight of the Cart' beheads him and gives his head to the girl. The girl now rides off with the head and promises the 'Knight of the Cart' that she will repay her debt to him at a time when he is in the greatest need of help. DAY SIX - Lancelot enters Gorre The following morning the 'Knight of the Cart' and his two companions ride off and reach the 'Sword Bridge' towards night. This bridge is a sword blade, as long as two lances, crossing a 'black, roaring, swift and swirling water. Both ends of the bridge are fixed in tree stumps. The companions of 'Knight of the Cart' believe that they can see two lions or leopards tethered to a large rock at the far end of the 'Sword Bridge.' Despite his companions warnings the 'Knight of the Cart' insists on attempting to cross the 'Sword Bridge' immediately. He prepares himself by removing the armour from his hands and feet so that he may grip the 'Sword Bridge' better: preferring being maimed to falling in the water and drowning. In his passage across the bridge love sustains his efforts, despite the wounds he receives to his hands knees and feet. When he reaches the other side the knights looks for the lions he thought he had seen from the other side of the water, but can see no animals. Suspecting that he has been the victim of an enchantment he raises his ring, gazes at it's stone and looks again. As he is still unable to see any animals he realises that the animals were just images created by some enchantment. Now the 'Knight of the Cart' staunches the flow of blood from his wounds with his shirt and notices a 'great tower' before him. In this great tower king Bagdemagu and his son Meleagant have been watching the 'Knight of the Cart' cross the 'Sword Bridge.' The characters of these two men are in complete contrast. Bagdemagu is described as being 'most scrupulous and keen in every matter of honour and right and who esteemed and practiced loyalty above all othe virtues,' while Meleagant 'strove constantly to do the opposite, since disloyalty pleased him and, he never tired of baseness, treason and felony.' Bagdemagu tells Meleagant that he should now give up Guinevere to the 'Knight of the Cart', as well as welcoming and honouring him. Meleagant, who obiously thinks himself a better knight than the 'Knight of the Cart', tells his father that he will not freely relinquish Guinevere. Bagdemagu now advises his son against seeking a fight with the 'Knight of the Cart', who may wish to win a fight for possession of Guinevere to 'enhance his honour.' This argument fails to reduce Meleagant's belligerence. Bagdemagu now rides out to the 'Knight of the Cart', welcomes him, expresses amazement at his accomplishing the crossing of the 'Sword Bridge' and offers the knight hospitality. He informs the knight of Meleagant's refusal to give up possession of Guinevere without a fight and tells him that he intends to treat the knight's wounds with the finest salves. He also assures the knight that Guinevere is sequestered and is 'safe from the lusts of men, even from that of my son.' Finally Bagdemagu promises to provide the 'Knight of the Cart' with fine arms for his fight against Meleagant and tells him that he will only be in danger from Meleagant during their fight and need fear no treachery from him at other times. The 'Knight of the Cart' tells Bagdemagu that he is willing to fight with Meleagant at once, using the arms that he is wearing, as his wounds are not causing him pain. Bagdemagu counsels him to wait for two or three weeks until his wounds have healed and insists that he could never let 'Knight of the Cart' fight in the arms he is wearing. The 'Knight of the Cart' replies that he will delay fighting till the following morning to please the king. Now Bagdemagu has the 'Knight of the Cart' shown to lodgings. Bagdemagu also makes an unsuccessful attempt to persuade Meleagant withdraw his challenge to the 'Knight of the Cart'. Lastly Bagdemagu provides the 'Knight of the Cart' with a powerful charger and good quality weapons, and has his wounds treated by the finest doctor in his lands. DAY SEVEN - Lancelot defeats Meleagant News that the 'Knight of the Cart' has crossed the Sword Bridge spreads quickly and knights and people have thronged to Bagdemagu's castle during the night. In the morning the 'Knight of the Cart' is led out to the square before the keep, which is filled with people from the kingdom of Logres. Maidens from Arthur's kingdom have fasted for three days and have both worn hairshirts and have gone barefoot so that God will give strength and courage to the 'Knight of the Cart'. In contrast, the inhabitants of the land of Gorre have prayed for Meleagant's victory. When both combatants are in the square before prime (0600), Bagdemagu makes a final fruitless attempt to procure a peace between them. Then he escorts Guinevere to a viewing tower where they both can watch the fight, in the company of people from both their lands. When they joust, the 'Knight of the Cart' and Meleagant overthrow each other then fight on foot. Now, because of his wounded hands, the 'Knight of the Cart' begins to weaken and his defeat is expected. A maiden watching from the viewing tower realises that the 'Knight of the Cart' has taken on this fight for the sake of Guinevere and she believes that he would fight with renewed vigour if he knew that the queen was watching him from the viewing tower. Then the maiden asks Guinevere if she knows the knight's name and the queen replies that she believes it to be Lancelot of the Lake. The maiden then shouts out, 'Lancelot! turn around and see who is watching you!' Lancelot turns to the viewing tower and sees Guinevere there. He stares at her and defends himself from Meleagant using sword strokes behind his back. This action that brings joy to the men of Gorre and despair to the men of Logres. The maiden now shouts at Lancelot again, berating him for his foolishness and telling him to reposition himself so he can both fight Meleagant and be inspired to fight well by the sight of Guinevere. Lancelot now manoevres Meleagant between himself and the viewing tower, then repeatedly forces him back towards the tower. However, whenever he comes so close to the tower that he can no longer see Guinevere, he retreats. Knowing his son is close to being defeated and killed, Bagdemagu makes an appeal to Guinevere. He asks her have Lancelot spare Meleagant's life as an expression of gratitude for the kindness and hospitality he has shown to her. Guinevere's assent to this proposal is heard by Lancelot and he stops fighting, but Meleagant continues to attack him though Lancelot does not resist him in any way. When Bagdemagu attempts to stop the cowardly attack by Meleagant, the latter insists that he is winning the fight against Lancelot and has to be dragged away. Meleagant demands that the fight continues, but eventually Bagdemagu persuades him to agree to a truce. The terms of this truce are that Meleagant will return Guinevere provided that Lancelot will agree to fight him again within a year at the court of king Arthur. If Meleagant wins this second fight, Guinevere is to return with him to the land of Gorre. Both Lancelot and Guinevere agree to these terms. Lancelot receives thanks from all the citizens of Logres who have been kept captive in the land of Gorre as they are now free to leave. It being the custom of Gorre that when one captive leaves the land all other captives are free to leave. At his own request, Lancelot is taken by Bagdemagu into the presence of Guinevere. However, much to Lancelot's distress, the queen snubs him without giving any explanation for her behaviour. Next Lancelot is taken to see Kay the seneschal, who is still suffering from the wounds he had received when he was defeated by Meleagant during the abduction of Guinevere. Kay says he has been shamed by Lancelot, who has succeeded where he has failed. He also reveals that while Bagdemagu is making the utmost effort to heal his wounds, Meleagant is counteracting the effects of this treatment by having poisoned ointments applied to Kay's wounds. Kay says that Bagdemagu has kept Guinevere safe from the attentions of Meleagant and has treated her well. He tells Lancelot that he cannot guess why the queen has snubbed him. Lancelot now expresses his intention to fulfil an earlier promise he made to seek Gawain at the 'Underwater Bridge.' He departs form Bagdemagu's castle accompanied by a party of the citizens of Logres, all unarmed. Others from Logres remain with Guinevere, who intends to stay in Gorre until she has met Gawain. Lancelot in Gorre. As they journey towards the 'Underwater Bridge' Lancelot and his companions are surprised to be met by a party of armed men who take them prisoner. These are inhabitants of the land of Gorre who, despite having heard that the borders of their country have been broken open after Lancelot's feat of crossing the 'Sword Bridge', believe that king Bagdemagu will be pleased if they make Lancelot their captive. A rumour that Lancelot has been captured and killed reaches Bagdemagu, who threatens to execute those who are guilty of this crime. When Guinevere hears this rumour she is so distressed that she attempts to commit suicide by self-strangulation, then changes her mind. The anguish Guinevere feels for having rejected Lancelot continues and causes her to lose her good looks. While her refusal of all food and drink bring her to a moribund state which those around her mistake for death. Now Lancelot is brought news of Guinevere's supposed death. In his distress he attempts to commit suicide by tying one end of a belt around his neck, tying the other end to the horn of his saddle and throwing himself off his horse so that he will be strangled as he is dragged along. However those accompanying Lancelot save his life. Word now reaches Lancelot that Guinevere is still alive, to his great joy. As Lancelot and his captors near Bagdemagu's castle, news that Lancelot is still alive reaches it and is welcomed by Guinevere. Guinevere and Lancelot. Lancelot is welcomed to Bagdemagu's court by Guinevere, who explains that she had earlier slighted him because he had hesitated before he had entered the cart driven by the dwarf. This showed that he had allowed his fear of the shame that would adhere to him for riding in the cart to outweigh the devotion he owed to his beloved lady (Guinevere). Forgiven, Lancelot says he wishes to speak to Guinevere more intimately and she tells him to come to a barred window overlooking an orchard at night, where they may talk without any fear of being overheard. This is the only way they can speak because Guinevere's chamber is locked and guarded and the wounded Kay shares it with her. That night Lancelot enters the orchard over a fallen wall and comes to the assigned window. Here Guinevere is waiting for him clad in a white shift covered with a red fur trimmed mantle. They hold hands and talk, but their desire to be with each other is frustrated by the thick iron bars of the window. With Guinevere's agreement, Lancelot bends the iron bars and removes them from the window. In doing this he cuts some fingers badly, though his passion prevents him from either feeling pain or noticing the flowing blood. He enters the queen's bedchamber, passing the sleeping Kay, and he and Guinevere enjoy a night of lovemaking. When he wakes the following morning, Lancelot fails to notice that his hand has bled onto the queen's bedlinen. Then Lancelot leaves the bedchamber, successfully replaces the iron bars in the window and returns to his own bed without being detected. Only now does he notice that he has wounded his hand. Meleagant accuses Guinevere. In the morning Meleagant and his retainers enter Guinevere's chamber. Here they notice blood on both Guinevere's and Kay's bedlinen. Although Guinevere insists that her nose bled during the night, Meleagant accuses the two of adultery. Meleagant then brings his father (Bagdemagu) to Guinevere's chamber, repeats his accusation and insists that Kay undertakes a judicial combat with him to decide who is right. Kay says that he knows that his wounds opened in the night, but is nonetheless willing to fight with Meleagant immediately. Now Guinevere, who has secretly sent for Lancelot, tells Bagdemagu that she has a knight who is willing to fight in Kay's place, if Meleagant is willing to accept the substitution. After Meleagant agrees both he and Lancelot swear on holy relics that they will prove themselves right in single combat. When they joust, the two knights break their spears and throw each other to the ground. They continue their fight on foot with great animosity. Seeing the fighters mutual hatred, Bagdemagu asks Guinevere to agree that the fight be stopped and the two knights separated. Lancelot hears the queen's assent and ceases fighting. However, Meleagant continues to attack Lancelot, who does not resist. Bagdemagu separates Meleagant from Lancelot, though his son insists that the fight must continue. However Bagdemagu persuades him that it will be more to his honour if he defeats Lancelot at the future fight, arranged to take place at Arthur's court in a years time. Meleagant imprisons Lancelot. After receiving the permission of Bagdemagu and Guinevere, Lancelot departs with a body of knights to seek Gawain. When a dwarf approaches the party and tells Lancelot to have his companions wait for him, Lancelot willingly follows the dwarf to a promised 'very wonderful place.' However, Lancelot is captured and imprisoned by one of Meleagant's seneschals. When he fails to return, his companions discuss their course of action. As they do not know in which direction to search they decide to go to the nearby 'Underwater Bridge' to find Gawain and then to seek Lancelot with his help. They rescue Gawain, who is close to drowning, then discuss their plans to seek Lancelot with him. They fear that Lancelot has been kidnapped by Maleagant and hope that Bagdemagu may be able to secure his release. Bagdemagu knows nothing of Lancelot's fate and sends out searchers to find him. Searching continues until a letter, purporting to come from Lancelot, is received at Bagdemagu's court relating that Lancelot is now at Arthur's court. Happy that Lancelot is safe, Guinevere, Gawain, Kay and their retinue return to Arthur's court. Here Gawian is hailed as the liberator of Guinevere and the captives from Logres. He, corrects this mistake by naming Lancelot as the true liberator and asserting that Lancelot is at Arthur's court. Information that Lancelot is not in Arthur's realms, and that his whereabouts are unknown, makes Gawain and his companions realise that the letter they had trusted at Bagdemagu's court was a forgery. Lancelot at a tournament. During Guinevere's captivity in the Land of Gorre, ladies and maidens without husbands had decided to organise a tournament at Noauz which would test prospective husbands. After Guinevere had returned to Arthur's court, the king granted the request of the ladies and maidens that she attend this tournament, provided Guinevere was willing. After the queen agrees to attend the tournament news of it is spread. News of the forthcoming tournament reaches the castle where Lancelot is imprisoned and he is disconsolate as he will be unable to attend. His misery is seen by the wife of the seneschal of this castle. When she learns the reason for his unhappiness, she says that she would willingly let Lancelot attend the tournament if she did not fear the punishment she and her husband would be sure to receive from Meleagant. When Lancelot says he will take a binding oath, on the 'Holy Church', to return to his imprisonment once the tournament has finished, she relents and agrees to allow him to attend. Then the lady gives Lancelot her husband's magnificent red armour with his superb horse, and Lancelot sets off for the tournament at Noauz. Lancelot enters the field on the first day of the tournament and excels all the other knights present. Though he is disguised by his armour, Lancelot is recognised by Guinevere. She sends him a message by a maiden that he must fight badly. Subservient to the wishes of his lady, Lancelot does this and earns himself the name for being the most cowardly knight at the tournament. Lancelot does not appear at the second day of the tournament and Guinevere again sends her maiden to him with a message. The maiden finds Lancelot at his lodgings and again tells him to fight badly if he wishes to retain the love of Guinevere. Lancelot acquiesces, sends thanks to Guinevere and enters the tournament. When Guinevere hears from her maiden of Lancelot's complete submission to her will she realises that the love between them is mutual. Again, Guinevere sends her maiden to Lancelot, this time the message she bears is that he fight with the utmost courage. For the remainder of the day Lancelot fights so fiercely that he overpowers all the knights he fights. At the end of the day's fighting Lancelot throws away his lance, shield and horse trappings and, obedient to his oath, returns with speed to his imprisonment. Lancelot is released from a tower. The seneschal has arrived at his castle two to three days before Lancelot returns from the tournament at Nouaz. From his wife he learns the reason for Lancelot's absence and of his promise to return to his incarceration once the tournament has ended. The seneschal now tells Meleagant. Though troubled that Lancelot has attended the tournament, Meleagant is confident that Lancelot will keep his oath and will return to his imprisonment. So he tells the seneschal to strictly imprison Lancelot when he does return and to inform him immediately. When the seneschal returns to his castle he finds Lancelot has returned and he carries out Meleagant's orders regarding him. Now, within two months, Meleagant has a strong and tall tower built on an island which lies on a broad inlet which penetrates the coastline of Gorre. Here Lancelot is brought and is immured. The doorway of the tower is blocked up and the masons who constructed the tower are sworn to secrecy. Only a small high window is left open and Lancelot is supplied with a rope with which he is able to haul up the small portions of poor food (stale barley bread and stagnant water), which soldiers bring to him at fixed hours. Having imprisoned Lancelot, Meleagant goes to Arthur's court and proclaims that he has come to fight Lancelot there, as had been arranged earlier in the land of Gorre. Arthur informs Meleagant that he has no news of Lancelot's whereabouts. Meleagant replies that the combat can only take place at Arthur's court and formally summons Lancelot to be there to fight him within a year. Gawain asserts that Lancelot is not within the land of Logres and adds that he will be sought. He also requests that, if Lancelot cannot be found, he be allowed to fight Meleagant in his place. Meleagant replies that, if he cannot test his strength against Lancelot, Gawain is the only other knight he is willing to accept as an opponent. Arthur agrees to grant the challenge to Gawain if Lancelot cannot be found. Having made these arrangements, Meleagant goes to Bath where his father (Bagdemagu) is holding a birthday celebration. He arrogantly tells Bagdemagu that that he has been at Arthur's court to fulfil the agreement he had made to fight Lancelot there and asserts that, as Lancelot was not at the court, he must have fled from the fight like a coward. He continues by saying that Gawain has promised to take over the fight if Lancelot does not appear, at the end of the year period as had previously been arranged in Gorre. So that before 'the elderflowers bloom' (that is in springtime) Meleagant will discover whether Gawain's prowess matches his reputation. Bagdemagu now accuses his son of being a bragging fool whose brutal character has not the capacity for gentility, friendship or for mercy. He adds that these defects will lead to Meleagant's downfall. This criticism, which he feels is totally unjustified, enrages Meleagant and breaks the last bond that existed between him and his father. Meleagant tells his father he can see no reason for the criticism. Now Bagdemagu says he cannot see how Lancelot, who is esteemed by all but Meleagant, would flee the latter and that he believes Lancelot would only be prevented from keeping to his agreement to fight Meleagant by either death or imprisonment. A daughter of Bagdemagu's, who is present, feels that Lancelot must have been imprisoned somewhere and resolves to determine what has happened to him. Accordingly, she quietly leaves the celebrations, mounts her 'elegant and sure-footed mule' and sets out to search for Lancelot. Having no notion of where Lancelot might be, she rides around at random for a long time. At last she sees a shoreside tower beside an inlet (the tower was earlier said to be located on an island). She rides up to the tower and circles it, listening for a voice that will show if it is occupied. When she notices that it has no doorway or other entrance and only one small window, she deduces that the tower was built as a prison and suspects that Lancelot lies imprisoned inside it. She hears the weak and sad voice of Lancelot from inside the tower asking for death, bemoaning his fate of being imprisoned for more than 'a year' (sic) and damning Meleagant for imprisoning him in the tower. The girl shouts to Lancelot that she is his friend and asks him to reply. At first her shouts elicit no response from Lancelot, who is delerious and weak. Eventually Lancelot realises that he is being called by a person outside the tower and struggles to the tower's single narrow window, from which he sees the girl but he fails to recognise her. She then identifies herself to him as the girl whose request he had fulfilled when he gave her the head of the knight whom he had defeated shortly before he crossed the 'Sword Bridge'. Then she tells him that her gratitude for that service has led her to search him out. Lancelot says that this earlier service to the girl will be returned more than adequately if she frees him from his imprisonment. Indeed, if she does free him, he will be so deeply indebted to her that he will fulfil any request she might make if it be in his power to do so. The girl finds a pickaxe that Lancelot pulls into the tower, using the rope by which he hauls up his meagre daily supply of food. Then, despite his weakness, Lancelot breaks out of the tower. The girl puts Lancelot up before her on her mule and takes him, by unfrequented paths, to a secluded castle that belongs to her. Here Lancelot recuperates and is restored to his full strength. When well, he thanks his hostess for her assistance and says he gives her his heart, body, service and possessions. He tells her that he has been too long from the court of Arthur, where he has much to do. Lancelot's hostess affirms her affection for him and grants his request that he be allowed to leave for Arthur's court, as she seeks only those things that will be to his honour and good. Lancelot kills Meleagant. As he rides towards Arthur's court, Lancelot swears he will kill Meleagant to avenge the evil Meleagant has done him through treacherous and dishonourable conduct. Meanwhile, at Arthur's court, the time for the fight between Meleagant and Lancelot arrives and, as Lancelot has not appeared, Gawain prepares to fight Meleagant in his place. As Gawain is being armed, Lancelot arrives before him and is warmly greeted by Gawain. The court, from Arthur downwards, also joyfully greet Lancelot when they hear of his arrival. Though Guinevere, despite the love she feels for Lancelot in her heart, restrains herself from giving any physical demonstration of her affection until a more private moment. Arthur tells Lancelot that searches had been undertaken for him in both 'winter and summer'. In reply Lancelot relates the facts of his imprisonment by Meleagant and swears he will fight to avenge the unremitting cruelty he has suffered at Meleagant's hands. Then Gawain offers to exact revenge on Lancelot's behalf as he is already armed and mounted, but Lancelot emphatically refuses this offer and arms himself in the armour Gawain is wearing. Meleagant is amazed and disheartened when Lancelot appears at court. He realizes the tower Lancelot had been imprisoned in was so strong that escape was impossible and that Lancelot must have had outside help to escape form it. However he musters his courage and asks that their battle start soon. Arthur requests that the battle between Lancelot and Meleagant take place on a fair heath by his tower. On this heath is a magnificent sycamore tree, which had been planted in the time of Abel, surrounded by a lush carpet-like field of grass that is always green. A spring flows vigourously from beneath the sycamore, through a pipe of the purest gold, then runs over a bed of beautiful stones that shine like silver. The stream fed by the spring flows across the heath and down into a valley between two woods. Meleagant and Lancelot now joust. In their first pass they pierce each other's shields with their lances. In succeeding passes they continue to damage each other's shields, even striking though armour to the flesh. At last they break the girths of each other's saddles and both fall to the earth. As they prepare to fight with swords, Lancelot becomes more confident as he knows that he is a more skilled swordsman than Meleagant. As they fight Lancelot severs Meleagant's right arm. In desperation Meleagant rushes Lancelot, to take him by surprise and overthrow him. However, Lancelot is prepared for this surprise attack and slashes Meleagant's abdomen. Then Lancelot drives the nasal of Meleagant's helmet into his mouth breaking three teeth. At this stage in the fight Meleagant is so enraged by his hatred of Lancelot that he cannot speak: not even to ask for mercy. Finally Lancelot beheads Meleagant.

What is the character of Arthur and the round table here? How different from or similar to the other romances we have read?

Arthur is at his weakest in Perceval's romance. He lets the red knight demand homage, steal his cup, and spill wine on his wife. Perceval, a completely inexperienced welsh boy handles his problems for him. Arthur does nothing to respond to Perceval's ignorance and Kay's violence. Perceval sends him conquests all throughout the narrative, arthur only returns briefly in the woods, but he sends other knights to acquire perceval as he stares at the snow.

What does the opening scene of Perceval say about the character or about chivalry?

About Perceval: innocent, ignorant, youthful About chivalry: a two sided coin

Merlin's Prophecies?

Geoffrey of Monmouth begins by saying that he wasn't ready to discuss Merlin yet. But because his many admirers, avid readers, and even Alexander, Bishop of Lincoln wanted to hear Merlin's prophecies, he could do nothing but oblige their whims. Although Geoffrey articulated his shock to have been chosen for the task, his letter to Alexander was filled with his overwhelming self-pride. He also throws in a little disclaimer at the end that should he make any mistakes, Alexander may correct him (forcefully?). I want to focus on the Dragons that reoccur throughout the prophecies. "Alas for the Red Dragon, for its end is near. Its cavernous dens shall be occupied by the White Dragon, which stands for the Saxons whom you have invited over. The Red Dragon represents the people of Britain, who will be overrun by the White One: for Britain's mountains and valleys shall be levelled, and the streams in its valleys shall run with blood." (171) Prophecies depict cyclical nature of events. "Death will lay hands on the people and destroy all the nations. Those who are left alive will abandon their native soil and will sow their seeds in other men's fields" (151)

Symbolism in Geoffrey's Episodes: the Leir Story

In the Leir story, King Leir grants his two eldest daughters, Goneril and Regan, with land, jewels and a husband of their choosing. However, his youngest and favorite daughter, Cordelia, is excluded as she refuses to concede to his test and manipulate her father as her sisters had done, by telling him what he wanted to hear. Consequently, King Leir punishes her. Goneril and Regan took advantage of their father because they knew what he wanted to hear, and King Leir kind of allowed it to happen by refusing to accept an answer that didn't boost his ego.

Examples of Chretien critiquing courtly values?

Lancelot stating he will do whatever it takes to earn Guinevere's forgiveness indirectly implies he would sacrifice what it means to be a knight, to be chivalrous for her forgiveness. - Impossibility of managing personal desire and chivalric duty

In Yvain: think about the significance of the episode at the castle of Pesme Aventure. Why is it there? In what ways is it similar to or different from the churl/vilein episode at the romance's beginning?

Women slaving so that a wealthy family could enjoy romance. Social critique of stratus and hierarchy.

What is the role of adventure in Malory's work?

adventure=fate, chance, accident

What is a successful king for Geoffrey of Monmouth?

-Fierce in battle, conquers people, acquires land -listens to his people -incites fear after death -is virtuous/pious

Geoffrey's Vortigern episode: what is significant about his interactions with Hengist and Horsa? What is the role of Reinwein?

"Satan entered [Vortigen's] heart, so that he fell in love with Renwein and asked her father to give her to him. I say that Satan entered his heart because, despite the fact that he was a Christian man, he was determined to make love with this pagan woman. Hengist, who was a very clever man, immediately noticed the unbalanced nature of the King's personality...the girl should be handed over to the King and that in exchange for her they should demand the province of Kent" (160). Vortigen's lust for Renwein marks the beginning of the Saxon invasion of Britain. Through Renwein's influence, the Saxons are able to weaken Britain over time through treachery and sweet talk. Renwein understands that her role is to soften Vortigen's attitude towards the Saxons. She pleases him as much as she can so that his affection for her can translate into friendliness towards the Saxon people. In addition, she is not afraid to take matters into her own hands when matters do not go her father's way. When Vortimer began turning the Britons against the Saxons, she plotted Vortimer's death so that Vortigen may return to the throne and make peace with her father. Renwein as temptress.

Perceval (Plot)

1. The story begins with Perceval in the woods during springtime 2. He stumbles upon some knights in the woods and confuses them for both devils and angels 3. The harrowers that work for Perceval's mother fear that the young boy will want to become a knight--his mother has kept him from seeing knights and learning of their ways because knighthood killed his father and his brothers 4. Mother's advice: honor ladies, a man is in his name, worship whenever possible 5. Perceval leaves to be knighted. His mother faints on the road (later we find out that she has died) but Perceval carries on 6. Perceval harasses the woman in the tent. He kisses her, steals her ring, and eats her knight's food 7. Perceval runs into the red knight on the way to King Arthur to be Knighted. 8. Perceval does not recognize Arthur at his own table, he's so dejected 9. The red knight had demanded homage from Arthur, stolen his cup, and spilled wine on Guinivere 10. Perceval demands to be knighted. A woman in Arthur's court laughs and predicts that he will be the best knight in the world. Kay responds violently and slaps her 11. Perceval is knighted and requests the red armor. When Arthur cannot provide it, Perceval takes it for himself. He kills the red knight and Yonet helps him put on the armor and mount his new horse 12. Perceval runs into Gornemant of Gohort on the road and receives a great lesson in combat 13. Gornemant tells Perceval about the importance of mercy, not talking too much, caring for maidens, and going to church 14. Perceval goes on to find a castle of wasted and impoverished people where he meets a beautiful woman and falls in love. He protects her and her men from Anguingueron (the seneschal of Clamadeu of the Isles) and his lord 15. Perceval continues to defy expectations. He beats men in combat, offers them mercy, and then sends them to Arthur's court (often with a message for kay and the maiden he slapped) 16. Perceval goes off to search for his mom and stumbles upon two fishermen, thus beginning the fisher king episode (which consists of a grand dinner, the grail, a silver platter, and questions that Perceval should ask but doesn't) 17. Perceval wakes up the morning to find the fisher king's home empty, leaves to find a maiden crying in the woods with her injured knight 18. This woman is Perceval's cousin and she tells him that his mother is dead. She warns Perceval about his sword 19. The woman Perceval harrassed in the tent arrives distressed on a palfrey. Perceval fights the knight torturing her until he begs for mercy. They are both sent to Arthur's court 20. The episode with the blood and snow 21. Arthur seeks Percival out. He leaves his court with a few good men. Kay and other knights meet Perceval in battle. Perceval dislocates Kay's shoulder. Gawain persuades Perceval to meet with Arthur 22. A fallen woman comes and declares Perceval's betrayal. In not asking who the grail served, Perceval doomed the fisher king to be in eternal pain from the wound in his thighs. At the same time, Gawain is accused of treason. 23. Sir Gawain and the tournament. Holding back at first, rewarding women with horses after. He fights for the younger sister of the woman in love with a knight against their family.* 24. Gawain is escorted to the city where he is hated for treason and falls in love with the sister of the knight who invited him 25. The villagers attack and Guinganbresil defends him for the honor. Gawain bargains to be forgiven in exchange for the lance that drips blood at the fisher king's palace 26. "Perceval, the story relates, had lost his memory so totally that he no longer remembered God" 27. Perceval meets the holy hermit and returns to himself 28. Gawain stumbles upon another maiden in the woods with another injured knight 29. False maiden "not like silly girls..." people warn about assisting her in retrieving her horse 30. Gawain heals the other maiden's knight 31. He goes on to be set up by the river/castle of maidens. 32. The great hall of marvels (Where he sees Arthur's mom and his own) arrows, lion 33. False maiden returns, Gawain leaps into a chasm. Later tries to avoid combat with Guiromelant who has come to address the treason issue. They fight and the squire is sent to Arthur. 34. Abrupt ending

What role do women play in Lancelot? (Guinevere/Bademagu's daughter (Melegeant's sister)/maidens)

-Women as pawns -Guinevere as a political sacrifice -Women as motivators (Guinevere as the reason for Lancelot's valiance) -Love inspires and strengthens -Women as temptresses (Maiden who asks Lancelot to sleep her in return for housing)

Significant aspects of the fisher king episode?

-the grail as a spiritual quest -Perceval's refusal to ask questions -heavily concealed palace -king injured through thighs

What is the significance of the blood drops in snow passage? How does it characterize perceval?

-trance like state, unresponsive

Yvain (Plot)

1. King Arthur is celebrating Pentecost with the knights of the round table at Carduel in Wales. Calogrenant tells the story of an event that happened 7 years ago: giant tells him about a spring in a mysterious wood, when water from the spring fell onto a nearby stone, a terrifying storm would come. 2. Calogrenant finds the stone, drops water on it, and brings a storm. A knight appears and challenges Calogrenant to a fight for all the destruction he caused. Calogrenant is so humiliated that he never speaks of the incident until now. 3. Yvain, Calogrenant's cousin, avows to avenge him. Kay mocks the men over their knighthood. 4. Arthur is taking a nap as this transpires and learns about the events from Guinevere. When he does, he wants to see the marvels for himself. But Yvain thinks he should handle the adventure alone and steals away from the court. 5. He eventually meets the giant and sprinkles water on the stone like his cousin. The knight appears and challenges Yvain to a duel. It is an even and brutal fight until Yvain smashes the knight's helmet and he retreats back to his castle where he dies 6. Yvain pursues him and becomes trapped between two portcullis that fall before and behind him as he enters the castle. His horse is split in half. 7. As the knight's men come to avenge their Lord's death, the lady's damsel rescues him by making him invisible with magic rings. 8. She then persuades the lady Laudine to consider taking Yvain as her husband as he has proved himself a worthy protector of the domain. 9. Yvain falls in love with her on sight and Laudine agrees they should be married 10. Meanwhile King Arthur has embared on his adventure and as the giant instructs, spills water onto the stone and starts a storm. As it subsides a knight appears and challenges him 11. Sir Kay wants to be allowed to fight and Yvain defeats him easily. Yvain then reveals his identity to the knights and they are glad to see that he is well. 12. Sir Gawain urges Yvain to return to britain with them to participate in tournaments and adventures to prove that he hasn't become cowardly in marriage. Laudine agrees to let him go on the condition that he returns to her within a year. 13. Laudine gives Yvain a set of rings that keep the wearer safe as long as their sweetheart is uppermost in their mind. 14. Yvain is very successful in the tournaments and is enjoying them so much that he forgets to return to his wife. 15. Laudine is angry and sends a damsel to denounce Yvain as a hypocrite and to take back the rings. Yvain is distraught and literally goes insane. 16. Yvain goes to live in the woods where a hermit takes care of him until one day a noblewoman, Noroison, finds him sleeping naked beneath a tree. She gives him a magic potion that returns his sanity. 17. Episode at Pesme Aventure? 18. Yvain is determined to regain his lost love and rides out to Laudine at the castle. On the way there, he fights three evil knights and acquires a lion that was fighting a dragon. Lion's fit after Yvain's injury-commentary on feudal relationships. 19. When Yvain arrives at the castle, he finds Lunette about to be burned at the stake at Laudine's demand. 20. Yvain rescues her and the two of them again trick Laudine into taking the knight back. battle with Gawain? Property dispute between sisters?

How Uther begot King Arthur (Plot)

1. Uther reigns at the same time as the duke of cornwall, who is referred to ass the duke of Tintagel and is married to Igraine 2. Uther falls in love with Igraine and uses Merlin's enchantment to lay with her in the likeness of her husband 3. the child born to them is given to Sir Ector to be raised outside of royalty 4.Arthur's sisters married off (King Lot & Morgause marry and have Gawain, Elain marries King Nentres, and Morgan le Fay is sent to a nunnery and then marries King Uriens) 5. King Uther dies and leaves England without a king. The search/competition begins 6. Arthur pulls the sword out of the stone as he searches for a replacement sword for his brother, Kay. 7. The people fight Arthur's claim to the throne, but eventually he wins their approval 8. coronation 9. Arthur attacked by other kings, Merlin offers wisdom--recruit Ban of Benwick and Bors of Gaul (who agree to help Arthur and meet in battle with the eleven kings) Arthur still ends up surrendering 10. First sight of Guinevere 11. Arthur lies with Morgause and conceives Mordred. 12. King Pellinore who follows the questing beast 13. Merlin's many disguises 14. Griflet made a knight. Defeated. Arthur jousts at the fountain with Pellinore. Arthur almost dies but Merlin saves him so the battle might end. Pellinore will have Perceval. 15. Lady of the Lake gives Arthur the real excalibur 17. King Roince of Wales demands Arthur's beard. Arthur threatens him for the insult. 18. Children murdered at sea in attempt to get rid of Mordred.

How do the values of feudal society permeate Yvain's narrative? Are there places where Chretien seems to contest or resist such values?

Chretien plays with the idea of medieval knightly values by using humorous irony to portray the lopsided nature of the challenges Yvain undergoes during his adventures. Chivalrous notions of strength and honor are of vital essence to the story and to Yvain's personal character as well and they serve as the reason behind the action. Yvain is often unwilling to commit to many of the challenges in this poem because he desperately wants to go home to his loving wife but his knightly duty often gets in his way. When Lunete is under danger of being wrongfully killed, he fights on her behalf against three knights who complain about Yvain's lion evening the odds. Chretien highlights the absurdity of the seneschal's request to keep the lion out of the way by setting up a situation in which one man must defend himself against three. Although the lion is not a knight, it is symbolic of the values that knights hold highly: courage, loyalty, and strength. It had the courage to fight a dragon, demonstrated its loyalty to Yvain by following him after he saved it, and was a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. Yvain is obviously a spectacular knight who fared fairly well with the three for much longer than any mortal man could, but Chretien wants to show that the three lesser knights are more representative of the reality of chivalry in their willingness to break honor in order to gain victory. Similarly, Yvain's fight with the two demon brothers features a discourse before the combat regarding the odds of the opposing sides. Chretien again employs his own brand of humor and irony to show how inane honor could be in the face of defeat by having his demons point out that two against two would hardly be fair. The plot of Chretien's poem is centered on men who are given a purpose by their knightly duties and Yvain's adventure looks full of uncompromising courage.

What can we say about the presentation of Arthur and his court at the outset of Yvain?

Chretien's presentation of Arthur and his court emphasizes loyalty, which serves to support the importance of family in this story. After Arthur's nap :/

Intersection of the political with the erotic in The History of the Kings of Britain. What roles do women play in Geoffrey's narrative?

The intersection of the political and the erotic often creates chaos. We see it in Vortigern's relationship with Renwein, whom the former is deeply in love with and thus distracted by. Vortigern betrays the britons by loving a Saxon woman too much. Renwein's father uses her as a pawn. Women as generally expendable: It's not stated outright, but we can surmise that the reason for this desire to know is because of the still somewhat pervasive idea that a male child is more valuable than a female child. The death of Brutus' mother during childbirth might conjure ideas of body ownership. Womens' bodies are for men. Pandrasus' daughter (Ignoge) handed to Brutus like a prize. he annoying constant relegation of women to mere trophies for the taking that can be passed around to each new victor of a battle is contrasted by Gwendolen's story. Gwendolen, differentiated herself by taking matters into her own hands and exhibiting the kind of ruthlessness normally expected in men. Women who have agency are generally malicious. Initially these two men are friends, afterall Gorlois advises and helps King Uther during his fight against the Saxons, Paschent (son of former King Vortigern) and Gillomanius of Ireland (203). Despite this evident commanderie, the two soon find themselves on opposite sides of the battle field when Uther finds himself irrevocably attracted to Ygerna who is the wife of Gorlois.