The Traditional Themes Of Guinavere In The Legend Of Queen Guinevere

Expanding the Legend of King Arthur, the Legend of Queen Guinevere claims the most important woman figure during the Medieval time period. In the beginning of literature during Arthur’s reign, writers describe Guinevere as a manipulative cheater who only stays with Arthur due to his enormous power, protection, and money. Eventually, Guinevere proves this action by cheating on Arthur with multiple men and getting away with it. The early authors also demonstrate how and why Guinevere commits these acts against her husband. Over time, new writers change Guinevere into a considerate woman, but they keep some of her old actions and traits such as her political power. Using different point of views, the new storytellers develop the queen’s character

In the Medieval poem “Lanval” by Marie De France, she explores the traditional theme of Guinevere by utilizing literary interests and demonstrating the original ideas of Guinevere’s character. Accordingly, she approaches when Guinevere favors others over her husband and how she follows a plan to seduce them. For this poem., Guinevere remains to be a supporting character who causes unfortunate events for the main character, Lanval. Wanting to start an affair with him, Guinevere rushes herself over to him and displays her fiery personality to the hero offering herself to him. Completely blindsiding her, Lanval refuses and walks away from her. De France shows how Guinevere manipulates Arthur by devising a well-built lie, claiming Lanval asked, “For a love-affair” and when she refused him, he insulted her beauty (De France line 318). Playing her cards to ignite a flame

Similar to “Lanval”, Rose writes the story from Vivienne’s perspective who portrays Guinevere’s handmaiden instead of Guinevere herself. Throughout the tale, Vivienne describes the queen to be close to a mother figure because Guinevere goes out of her way to ensure Vivienne is dressed nicely by suggesting she wear, “Something daring to her wedding” because Guinevere wants Vivienne to look beautiful in addition to the queen for wanting the best for her (Rose 26). Quickly pointing out why Guinevere acts the way she does and how that intertwines with the story through her backstory, Kathryn Rose introduces Guinevere’s history explaining that she was on trial for the disappearance of her whole kingdom because she was the only person left alive. Furthermore, she analyzes her situation dreams of what could have been while maintaining a smile, “Solely for appearances” because Camelot does not provide her with peace or joy, and she wants to appear strong instead of weak (Rose 6). Rose keeps one main similar theme that connects all of the Guinevere tales together, which is Guinevere cheating on Arthur. Until Vivienne discovers her with Lancelot and reveals