The Magic Ring Gerda Quotes

The final virtue a true hero must epitomize is power. While power does not always represent the most heroic qualities in the women of Yvain and The Magic Ring, there is no doubt that power gives women leverage in regards to the men of these stories. For example, in the story of The Magic Ring, the character Gerda represents ungodly power, but nevertheless, her powers still give her leverage over the men of The Magic Ring. For instance, “But, meanwhile, Gerda held out her beautiful hand, with the green branch, towards him, and, as if drawn onwards by irresistible attraction, he advanced, till at last he suddenly made his appearance amid the fiery circle beside her, and, with smiles of confidence, made signs to his comrades that they should join

him there,” (La Motte-Fouqué V.II, 234). With this quote, La Motte-Fouqué displays Gerda’s power and how it can sway men to turn from their own beliefs.

Her power is also displayed in the statement, “… Gerda had snatched up an enchanter’s rod, made of the medlar-tree, waved it three times round her head, all the while muttering strange words, till at last the three knights fell at the same moment to the ground, powerless and motionless,” (La Motte-Fouqué V.III, 158). In this situation, Gerda renders three “heroes” powerless in a moment. Her power is so much greater than all three men, and despite this moment being less than heroic on Gerda’s part, it is still a notable moment in placing Gerda, a woman, in a position of power over men. Despite the previous mentions of less than heroic power, an observation can be made that power still maintains a virtuous aura for women like Lunete in Yvain and Bertha in The Magic Ring. Lunete exercises her power by aiding Yvain in times of trouble. For example, “…You may be sure and certain that if you take my advice you will never be caught or treated

ill. Please take this little ring of mine, which you will return when I shall have delivered you,’” (Troyes 15). In this moment, Lunete uses her power to save Yvain, and as seen later in the story, this places her in danger. She was willing to use her power to save Yvain at the expense of her own life. These heroic qualities of power can also be found in the character Bertha of The Magic Ring. Bertha is increasingly ascribed angelic qualities as the story progresses, and this exemplifies her power as a hero. For instance, there are multiple points in the story where Otto, who has found himself in need of protection, recites a prayer that Bertha had taught him. This prayer gives him strength and enables him to ward off the evil powers of those he is up against as seen in this passage, “It was indeed Sir Otto alone, amid the whole assemblage, whose senses appeared yet clear and triumphant over Theobaldo’s sorcery; inasmuch as he always repeated to himself, in a low tone, the short prayer which he had learned from Bertha in early youth. This prayer had already helped him in the cavern of the Hartz forest, and he now stood, sword in hand, like a guardian angel, before the helpless old hero,” (La Motte-Fouqué V.III, 285).

In this moment, Bertha was the one who provided Otto with the power to withstand Theobaldo. Without Bertha’s help, Otto would have been rendered powerless. Another example of Bertha’s power can be found in a statement made by the Pope, “Noble and virtuous lady,’ said he, ‘thou art chosen by Heaven as a blessed agent of his holy will, and before that influence which dwells in thy spirit, even his consecrated servants feel themselves awed and humbled. I beg, therefore, in the name of our far-famed city, that thou wilt honour it with thy presence, and that thou wilt remain within its walls through the winter which is now approaching, in order that we may have time to thank her who, under Heaven, has been our deliverer and protectress,’” (La Motte-Fouqué V.III, 93). In this situation, Bertha has saved all of Rome from Nurreddin and his army, and not only did she accomplish that, but she also managed to convert them in the process. This moment is a testament to Bertha’s truly heroic power in The Magic

Ring.
As previously shown, the women of Yvain, the Knight of the Lion and The Magic Ring possess the qualities of a true hero. Peace was found within Bertha’s and the Lady Minnatrost’s character in The Magic Ring. Bravery was exhibited through the actions of Lunete in Yvain and Gabrielle and Bertha in The Magic Ring. And, finally, great power was seen in the characters of Lunete, Gerda in The Magic Ring, and Bertha. These women showed a courage and a harmony that was found to be lacking in the men of both stories, and when the men did find those qualities, it was with the help of women. Whether or not Chrétien de Troyes and Friedrich Heinrich Karl La Motte-Fouqué had this in mind when constructing their stories, their female characters came out on top as the true heroes.