The authors draw several parallels throughout the text, but for the sake of analysis, I want to focus mainly on the comparison between the characters in both narratives, and the actions and reactions to the events taking place in their lives.
In both Morte D’ Arthur and Lanval, the reputation and perception of the protagonist changes in a minute, due to their actions. For Lanval, he was kind of ignored and swept to the side (but all by Gawain), until the Queen calls attention to him, putting him in the spotlight, because of her negative accusation. Lancelot on the other hand, is seen as a hero, even idolized, but the tables quickly turn when the knowledge of his affair, but more so the possibility of treason, quickly calls his once idolized
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character into question. Both however are envied because of their exemplary knightly accomplishments. Further, in both instances, the switch is first initiated by their own actions, but then slightly blown out of proportion because of the reaction of others. I think both authors highlight the facts of life that the actions of others, can drastically change our own lives. I would also like to argue that both Lancelot and Lanval, are searching for fulfillment.
Lancelot, although he sees to be “on top of the world,” as head knight and idolized by many, doesn’t seem to be content with just status, otherwise I do not think he would have gone through with the affair. Lanval on the other hand, is the outcast, never recognized for his actions, seeks and find fulfillment in his beloved. Although both looks for fulfillment, I think Lanval finds fulfillment in the personhood and escape provided with his beloved. I’m not entirely sure, since the details of the affair between Lancelot and Guinevere are allusive and down played, but I would venture to say Lancelot might find more fulfillment in the power associated with the affair, not necessarily Guinevere herself. He might even see her as a trophy. On the other hand, even with great status, Lancelot might have been looking for companionship, someone to share life with, and found that in Guinevere. Further, both Lancelot and Lanval are searching for something more than their current state, which we are introduced to at the beginning of the …show more content…
narratives. Gawain, in both Morte D’ Arthur and Lanval, acts as the peacemaker, but one should not be seen as weak or as a pushover, he is still persistent to uphold justice.
This is more evident in Morte D’ Arthur, as Gawain is determined to bring justice after the murders of his brothers. Some of his actions following that event, are purely emotional, from a place of anger, but also from a place of justice, wanting to avenge their death. In Lanval, Gawain fights for justice from a judicial standpoint, when defending Lanval in court after being falsely accused by the Queen. However, going back to the original claim, Gawain is a peacemaker, reminding everyone of the protagonist noble actions. He puts his reputation on the line to defend the honor of others. The authors may have a different interpretation of Gawain as a character, but in the end of both narratives Gawain is viewed as a noble man, faithful to
defend. In Morte D’ Arthur, Guinevere seems to subtly just progress through the story as a damsel in distress, until the end, where Mallory blames Guinevere, and finally puts some responsibility on her for the down fall of the knight’s ties INSERT QUOTE. The Queen in Lanval, in clearly the cause of chaos. Both authors touch on the way the Queen might use her womanly ways to attempt to entice the protagonist, one is successful, one is not. It is made clear that both authors do not view the Queen as completely innocent, or completely helpless, either. Loyalty or lack thereof, appears to be a dominate topic in both Morte D’ Arthur and Lanval. This is best highlighted in Lanval, by Lanval’s loyalty and faithfulness to his Beloved, even when presented with advances by the Queen. His loyalty to King Arthur, which he reminds Guinevere when he says, INSERT QUOTE. Lancelot on the other hand, is King Arthur’s greatest knight, his loyal companion even, and is revered by all until the affair is brought into light and Arthur is finally forced to respond.
works of literature have tremendous amounts of similarity especially in the characters. Each character is usually unique and symbolizes the quality of a person in the real world. But in both stories, each character was alike, they represented honor, loyalty, chivalry, strength and wisdom. Each character is faced with a difficult decision as well as a journey in which they have to determine how to save their own lives. Both these pieces of literatures are exquisite and extremely interesting in their own ways.
The love triangle of Arthur, Lancelot, and Guenever is a constant theme throughout every account of the Arthurian legend. Geoffrey Ashe's The Arthurian Handbook states that "We may say that these knights are expected to serve their King..."(81). The revelation of the affair finally comes when Sir Agravaine shouts, "'Traitor Knight! Sir Lancelot, now art thou taken'"(White 569). Lancelot was summoned to Queen Guenever's bedroom, and Sir Agravaine is finally exposing the affair and gaining revenge on Lancelot for unhorsing him many times in the past. The two people that Arthur trusts most are Guenever and Lancelot. Arthur is well aware of the affair between the two, but chooses to pretend that nothing is going on. Due to this naivety, Arthur earns the disrespect (and even hatred) of Agravaine and Mordred, who eventual...
Sir Gawain is King Arthur’s nephew and one of his most faithful knights. Although Gawain modestly refutes it, he has a reputation of being an honorable knight and courtly man. He prides himself on his adherence of the five parts of chivalry and is a pinnacle display of humility, piety, integrity, loyalty, and honesty that all other knights strive for. Though Gawain sits at the high table during the New Year’s celebration at Arthur’s court, he defines himself as the least of King Arthur’s knights in terms of both physical ability and mental aptitude. Gawain continually seeks to better improve his inner self throughout the story. His only known flaw proves to be his love to preserve his own life, so much that he will sacrifice his honor in order to save himself.
In order to understand what changes happen to twist the views of the 2 main characters in both novels, it is important to see the outlook of the two at the beginning of the novels in comparison ...
Numerous sources, such as Layamon's "Arthur's Dream", Marie de France's "Lanval" and Sir Thomas Malory's Morte Darthur, portray Guinevere as a unfaithful wife and the primary cause of the fall of King Arthur and The Round Table. In all of the three works, Guinevere is seen approaching various men such as Lanval and Sir Lancelot, knights of her husband. And, yet, she remains virtuous and appealing in the eyes of King Arthur, who loves her dearly. Such blindness or possibly Arthur's unconditional love of Guinevere and Lancelot, Arthur's best knight, lead to the fall of Arthur's Britain and of the Round Table.
two books. There are similarities in the setting of each work, and the between the two societies in
There are a few components that can symbolize numerous things in Lais of Marie de France to recognize Lanval and his character. When we are initially acquainted with Lanval inside the story, we are immediately recognized of King Arthur's absence of thankfulness for Lanval's commitment and loyalty, leaving Lanval discouraged and depressed about his knightly title. Lanval leaves the courtship of King Arthur, seeking after a sign to encourage his well deserved recognition, to only shortly abandon his horse on a trail as he takes after a mysterious mistress into a marvelous tent. The relinquishment of Lanval's horse is a key component that symbolizes Lanval's abandonment as a knight, which will soon get tested in trail.
The evolution of human society consists mainly of ineffective ruling regimes and oppressed peasants. Medieval Europe falls into this same pervasive cycle. Social and political hierarchies intertwine which creates a grossly inefficient system. Hereditary lineage determines nobility. Commoners possess no hope of social mobility. Every aspect of life is virtually preordained. These circumstances revolve around the figure Lanval by Mari de France. Mari de France introduces Lanval as a courteous and distinguished knight of King Arthur’s court. Lanval possesses the most moral nature of all of King Arthur’s knights, yet even so, the other knights of King Arthur’s round table despise him. The many knights neglect acknowledgment of his nature as does
Lanval, a handsome knight, falls desperately in love with a beautiful maiden, who grants the knight her love on the condition that he keep their bliss in full secrecy. Upon returning home, Lanval is confronted by Guinevere, who attempts to seduce him . After her initial advances are rejected, the Queen tries a new tactic, attacking Lanval 's masculinity: "I have been told often enough that you have no desire for women. Base coward, wicked recreant, my lord is extremely unfortunate to have suffered you near him. " By questioning Lanval 's worthiness to serve by Arthur, Guinevere is questioning Lanval 's very status as a knight, and once again we see a knightly protagonist put into a hopeless situation as many of his chivalric duties--- courteousness to the Queen, faithfulness to his King, honesty and loyalty to his lover, and defense of his own honor--- are forced into an unresolvable conflict. Lanval defends his honor and honors his King 's trust, but breaks his promise to his lover and grievously insults the Queen: "I love and am loved by a lady who should be prized above all others... you can be sure that one of her servants, even the very poorest girl, is worth more than you, my lady the Queen, in body, face and beauty, wisdom and goodness. " Lanval 's inability to simultaneously commit to all of his knightly responsibilities is comically underscored by his polite hesitation ("my lady the Queen") even
Initially, Gawain’s strongest trait is humility, Beowulf’s is pride. In the beginning of Gawain and the Green Knight, a mysterious warrior enters King Arthur’s court to extend a challenge. Although he knows others in the court would handle the challenge better than him, out of respect, when King Arthur attempts to accept the challenge Gawain comes forth and suggests he takes his place. Gawain presents himself as “the weakest of them, I know, and the dullest-minded/ so my death would be least loss, if truth should be told/ only because you are my uncle am I to be praised/ no virtue I know in myself but your blood” (Broadview Analogy 269). Instead of bragging about his bravery, Gawain acts modestly and states that his death would be of little loss during this challenge. He is not self-absorbed and gives off the impression that the only reason he is a knight is because of his relation with King Arthur. By stating this, he gives off the impression that his self confidence is quite weak; this is astonishing for a character of this era. Although King Arthur has at least one of his knights to be proud of, it seems as though
similarities that are inevitably beyond mere coincidence. One could surmise that both of these stories might have a basis in common historical occurrence. However, despite the fact that both of these works discuss a common topic, the portrayal of this event is quite different. Like identical twins raised in different cultures, the expressions of these works are products of their environment.
Naturally two books related to each other in this way have their similarities and differences in certain areas. Most of the similarities between both books fall in the areas of historical correctness and act...
Lancelot is portrayed mostly as a love-struck man and not a very logical knight. From the first moment he is introduced, he is seen as someone sick from love. He will do anything to save his love, Gweneviere; even if that meant dishonor. When Lancelot rode on the cart, he was immediately labeled as someone bad. He pushed aside reason for love. “Because love ordered it, and wished it, he jumped in; since Love ruled his action, the disgrace did not matter.” (212) There seemed to have been nothing that could stand in the path of Lancelot.
In the Authorain legend, Sir Gawain has great nobility, honesty, loyalty and chivalry. Sir Gawain is the nephew of King Arthur and a member of the king's elite Round Table. In the texts of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and "The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnell," Gawain is portrayed as a hero who exemplifies the characteristics of an honorable knight. He is viewed by many in King Arthur's court as a noble man who is loyal to the king, and who will sacrifice his own life to protect his lord. Sir Gawain represents an ideal knight of the fourteenth century.
Although both authors claim their stories are true, and thereby that their characters are realistic, there seems to be a gap between the authors' claims and the "reality" of the characterization. This question is closely connected to the fact that both novels belong to the earliest English novels. There was no fixed tradition that the authors worked in; instead the novel was in the process of being established. The question arises whether the two works lack a certain roundness in their narrators.