Upon analyzing these two quotes on can see their connection. The first quote can mean a glorification of self or to raise yourself higher than you were before. In some cases this can simply be bettering oneself yet here in, in this context, it is self-indulgent egotism and a quest only rooted in greed and avarice. Yet at the same time it can be one searching for the good in them, or searching for that answer or question to make it all seem right. Interpretation is a tricky thing.
The second quote deals with the question of whether one is doing something out of pure selfishness or for the greater good. We have to ask ourselves this whenever our desires grasp at our minds. It is also an allusion to the manner the knight sought after the grail simply to raise their own reputation and glorify themselves. Overall it seems these quotes point out that we all have to ask ourselves the questions that determine what type of grail quest we are on and even what we can learn from it all.
The simple cup without unnecessary exaltation and pleasantries prevails. Self-glorification, duty, honors, and maybe even for the greater good. Out of all the cups the simple one and the one that made sense prevailed, just as the simple lesson should be what prevails in the end of a grail quest. I believe all these quests stem from the single idea of self-improvement and understanding your own being.
Perceval needed to learn the knighthood he idolized rooted itself in wickedness, Persse needed to understand the truth about love, and Indy needed to understand his own desires and his relationship with those around him, especially his father.
There are several conclusions one can make as to why the Grail is “unattainable” and lost. One could say the sheer power of the Grail is too much for our minds, while another can say it isn’t the object that matters but the emotions and lessons. I would agree with the latter of the two. The Grail acts as a catalyst for the self. Each character learned from their respective quest and each character came out of their troubles a new person. So in the end the Grail is the divine in all of us. If we find it is up to our own devices and our own wits. In truth it is very much about the means, or the journey. It is there that we learn our lesson or our great truth, in which in most cases we will utilize and amplify for the ends. To sip from the holy cup of Christ is, in truth, to sip into ones own damaged soul and to correct the frayed edges of said spirit.
To conclude I would just say I will truthfully miss this class. I have thoroughly enjoyed the stories and adored the opportunity to blog and have my opinions and thoughts read. Thank you for a wonderful experience.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Small World Part Four
I’m sure we could all discuss the outcomes of each characters ends for pages but I’ll be brief. I enjoyed the ending of Arthur Kingfisher’s story. He regains his creative thinking and therefore sheds his impotency in the same way the Fisher King would have if Perceval asked those questions; Persse asked the question, the original thought Kingfisher yearned for to inspire his mind and restore his role as “king” of academia. I guess I don’t really have a question but rather would just like to have a discussion, a traditional blog post.
The whole ending, for most, as a reaction to Persse’s question was brilliant and excellent filled that gap left by Chrétien’s story; at least in my mind. The way the rejuvenated breeze blowing through New York City brought peace and ease to the mind of the “knights” we have read about and Arthur Kingfisher looked out over this new “kingdom” and simply states “Hey, how d’you like this? The air is like wine. Come over here and breath” to Song-Mi; these talented breezes sweep away the “knights” and it liberates them.
Another fascinating quality of Kingfisher’s end is the way Lodge introduces more of this theme of connected bloodlines. The way relatives seem to be spontaneously rejoined. We saw it in the maternal side of Perceval’s family and we see it here with Kingfisher and Mrs. Maiden being the biological parents of Lily and Angelica.
The whole ending, for most, as a reaction to Persse’s question was brilliant and excellent filled that gap left by Chrétien’s story; at least in my mind. The way the rejuvenated breeze blowing through New York City brought peace and ease to the mind of the “knights” we have read about and Arthur Kingfisher looked out over this new “kingdom” and simply states “Hey, how d’you like this? The air is like wine. Come over here and breath” to Song-Mi; these talented breezes sweep away the “knights” and it liberates them.
Another fascinating quality of Kingfisher’s end is the way Lodge introduces more of this theme of connected bloodlines. The way relatives seem to be spontaneously rejoined. We saw it in the maternal side of Perceval’s family and we see it here with Kingfisher and Mrs. Maiden being the biological parents of Lily and Angelica.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Small World Part Three (p 149-227)
Where can we find a parallel to Persse’s ventures to find Angela? How can we interpret these ventures?
The first parallel I concluded from my reading was to Perceval’s years in search of the grail and the bleeding lance in response to the old hag’s speech. We see Persse in search of something seemingly impossible; to find one person with little to no information. At this point in the text I find myself labeling every desire a character has as the Grail of the story. Almost as if the reader is meant to be searching for an invisible grail. Angelica. The UNESCO chair. Joy. A happy marriage. Whatever it is to whomever, it seems the grail can be translated into several entities of life. To me it seems evident that Angelica embodies Persse’s Grail.
She wanders through the streets of the world as elusively as she slinks through his mind. She carries the same mystery and elegance as the Grail as well as evasiveness. Perhaps Persse isn’t asking the right questions or pursuing the wrong actions. By the end he discovers she is a stripper and evidently a prostitute or some kind of showgirl. All the while he seemingly becomes less and less agitated, or more concealed in his unsettlement over the sin that engulfs his environment. We can see small yet still immature advancements in Persse’s character. All of which leads him to discovering her imaged as a prostitute and ultimately not what he envisions her.
This idea of the object we desire being unsettling upon arrival resonates in Medieval works such as Celestina and even Chrétien’s Grail Quest in which Perceval’s image of knighthood becomes contorted and almost sinful. Ultimately it seems Persse’s venture represent his desire for Angelica, but only in the light he wishes to see her; the innocent and almost helpless. Upon finding he cannot achieve this, instead of approaching her he decides to retire into isolation away form his most basic and primal desire. Yet before embarking on this new journey he states to the stewardess, “You gave me back my appetite for life” (p 208). A peculiar endnote reflecting the manner in which Philip Swallow spoke earlier with Morris Zapp. At this point, having not read ahead I feel like I am at the end of Perceval.
How are we to interpret these side-quests? Particularly Philip Swallows predicament.
These side-quests seem, to me, to represent each professor (or knights) search for their idea of the “holy grail” of the literary, or even their own, world. For example Zapp and the other professor yearning to fill the UNESCO seat represents their vision of this beyond real amazing ideal. It represents their desires and what culminates their achievements. It resembles the ultimate renown the knights yearn for by achieving this Grail quest, in the end it is ultimately masturbatory and a selfish act. Yet we see Philip Swallow diverge from this academic world of knighthood to a place of lust or perhaps love.
Swallow finds his life dull it seems, and at these points in the story he seems to simply settle for his life with Hilary; fueled only by the fire of memory and separate passion. He only begins to question it all upon his hollow visit to Turkey. This peak of his despair and mundane lifestyle burns and cinders to the ground by the fire of his’ discovery that Joy is alive. Then he sets forth on a venture of lust and one could conclude love with Joy. He discovers the child born from his loins and still his heart explodes with desire for a life with only Joy and their child. I find this entire scene although brilliantly written and just as interesting, odd in comparison to Phillip Swallows characterization in the beginning. This love affair is drenched in an aura of utter passion and lust for life. Yet the further I wrap my mind around this idea the more perfect it fits Swallow and his insatiable “appetite for life.” Although one can assume he would eventually grow just as bored with Joy as he did with Hilary, yet I find myself hoping against that conclusion. It is a strange and interesting situation.
At the end he chooses to not tell Hilary, although he clearly had intentions of expelling the situation to her and ultimately divorcing her. Perhaps time will tell the conclusion of their marriage or for the adventurous minded we can perhaps think that he is sparing her emotions form some deep-seated love he still feels for her. Of course, at this point and perhaps further, it is all speculation and interpretation, which is something different to each of us.
The first parallel I concluded from my reading was to Perceval’s years in search of the grail and the bleeding lance in response to the old hag’s speech. We see Persse in search of something seemingly impossible; to find one person with little to no information. At this point in the text I find myself labeling every desire a character has as the Grail of the story. Almost as if the reader is meant to be searching for an invisible grail. Angelica. The UNESCO chair. Joy. A happy marriage. Whatever it is to whomever, it seems the grail can be translated into several entities of life. To me it seems evident that Angelica embodies Persse’s Grail.
She wanders through the streets of the world as elusively as she slinks through his mind. She carries the same mystery and elegance as the Grail as well as evasiveness. Perhaps Persse isn’t asking the right questions or pursuing the wrong actions. By the end he discovers she is a stripper and evidently a prostitute or some kind of showgirl. All the while he seemingly becomes less and less agitated, or more concealed in his unsettlement over the sin that engulfs his environment. We can see small yet still immature advancements in Persse’s character. All of which leads him to discovering her imaged as a prostitute and ultimately not what he envisions her.
This idea of the object we desire being unsettling upon arrival resonates in Medieval works such as Celestina and even Chrétien’s Grail Quest in which Perceval’s image of knighthood becomes contorted and almost sinful. Ultimately it seems Persse’s venture represent his desire for Angelica, but only in the light he wishes to see her; the innocent and almost helpless. Upon finding he cannot achieve this, instead of approaching her he decides to retire into isolation away form his most basic and primal desire. Yet before embarking on this new journey he states to the stewardess, “You gave me back my appetite for life” (p 208). A peculiar endnote reflecting the manner in which Philip Swallow spoke earlier with Morris Zapp. At this point, having not read ahead I feel like I am at the end of Perceval.
How are we to interpret these side-quests? Particularly Philip Swallows predicament.
These side-quests seem, to me, to represent each professor (or knights) search for their idea of the “holy grail” of the literary, or even their own, world. For example Zapp and the other professor yearning to fill the UNESCO seat represents their vision of this beyond real amazing ideal. It represents their desires and what culminates their achievements. It resembles the ultimate renown the knights yearn for by achieving this Grail quest, in the end it is ultimately masturbatory and a selfish act. Yet we see Philip Swallow diverge from this academic world of knighthood to a place of lust or perhaps love.
Swallow finds his life dull it seems, and at these points in the story he seems to simply settle for his life with Hilary; fueled only by the fire of memory and separate passion. He only begins to question it all upon his hollow visit to Turkey. This peak of his despair and mundane lifestyle burns and cinders to the ground by the fire of his’ discovery that Joy is alive. Then he sets forth on a venture of lust and one could conclude love with Joy. He discovers the child born from his loins and still his heart explodes with desire for a life with only Joy and their child. I find this entire scene although brilliantly written and just as interesting, odd in comparison to Phillip Swallows characterization in the beginning. This love affair is drenched in an aura of utter passion and lust for life. Yet the further I wrap my mind around this idea the more perfect it fits Swallow and his insatiable “appetite for life.” Although one can assume he would eventually grow just as bored with Joy as he did with Hilary, yet I find myself hoping against that conclusion. It is a strange and interesting situation.
At the end he chooses to not tell Hilary, although he clearly had intentions of expelling the situation to her and ultimately divorcing her. Perhaps time will tell the conclusion of their marriage or for the adventurous minded we can perhaps think that he is sparing her emotions form some deep-seated love he still feels for her. Of course, at this point and perhaps further, it is all speculation and interpretation, which is something different to each of us.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Small World Part Two p. 80-113
1. Why does Lodge introduce so many characters and what might they represent?
He introduces all these characters to illustrate a point. It solidifies the comparison between the knights of Chrétien’s stories and the professors of Lodge’s story. Each person he mentions evidently quests for something. The majority are looking for a name for themselves and a higher position in the academic world of literature. This is much like the quests and feats the knights embark upon to attain renown and praise. Each character illustrates a knight on their own adventure for their own glorification. Through these acts it embodies the corruptness tagged to the knights of Chrétien. To further this acclamation we see Lodge point out the flaws and weaknesses of each character; may it be sexual frustration, desire, or even aging impotence. Each character presents their quest and each character embodies the idea of a knight in Chrétien’s tale.
2. Compare Arthur Kingfisher to Chrétien’s Fisher King.
At first glance we see a man seemingly far from the noble picture of the Fisher King. As lodge divulges we see a man teeming with great success in the literary world of academics. Someone much like the Fisher King had great success and control over his life in his heyday. As lodge divulges we learn of Arthur’s impotence and inability to form a new original idea. Of course he believes them both to be connected. We see a man crippled by stress and age; a man whose mind is barren much like the country or kingdom the Fisher King ruled over.
He introduces all these characters to illustrate a point. It solidifies the comparison between the knights of Chrétien’s stories and the professors of Lodge’s story. Each person he mentions evidently quests for something. The majority are looking for a name for themselves and a higher position in the academic world of literature. This is much like the quests and feats the knights embark upon to attain renown and praise. Each character illustrates a knight on their own adventure for their own glorification. Through these acts it embodies the corruptness tagged to the knights of Chrétien. To further this acclamation we see Lodge point out the flaws and weaknesses of each character; may it be sexual frustration, desire, or even aging impotence. Each character presents their quest and each character embodies the idea of a knight in Chrétien’s tale.
2. Compare Arthur Kingfisher to Chrétien’s Fisher King.
At first glance we see a man seemingly far from the noble picture of the Fisher King. As lodge divulges we see a man teeming with great success in the literary world of academics. Someone much like the Fisher King had great success and control over his life in his heyday. As lodge divulges we learn of Arthur’s impotence and inability to form a new original idea. Of course he believes them both to be connected. We see a man crippled by stress and age; a man whose mind is barren much like the country or kingdom the Fisher King ruled over.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
"Small World" David Lodge p. 1-79
Morris Zapp champions my favoritism in the text thus far, although Persse's in the cloud romanticism and Philip’s “appetite for life” combat as well. A sprightly and experienced American filled to the rim with charisma and layered thoughts. I simply adore his rhetoric and, not jaded, but hardened view on life. The manner in which he addresses his paper’s theory paints an image of an eager professor attempting to spirit away the minds of his students, and searching for the one who will understand and hit every target. It’s just the image I find, and for some odd reason I see Philip Seymour Hoffman as his appearance; cigar in tooth and a retort for every argument. I see a classic knight who has seen it all and warrants respect from his peers; a Gawain-esque character with a twinge of the American hero and, of course, a taste for woman.
I also find myself agreeing with his lecture. The search for understanding and this desire for a certain truth or outcome we find in reading; it is quite “masturbatory.” It translates so smoothly into sexual desire as well as any facet of desire or pleasure. We yearn for the ends and expect it to fully justify the means when in truth the excitement and joy flourish from these “means.” A new desired idea swiftly replaces the accomplished goal or desired outcome by the end. One naturally parallels this concept with the adventures for the grail. The knights ride here, there and everywhere to attain this knowledge, this holy transcendence that to them can only be achieved through the grail. Their desire compels them to risk everything and nothing for this renaissance bound to the concept of a holy grail just as we read each line fed to us by teasing authors to the ends of our very minds or at least the book.
I feel compelled to speak of Philip Swallows and his “appetite for life.” At first I shared little to no love for his character; a loud-mouthed opponent to our, or at least my, heroes of choice; Persse and Morris. Yet I find myself not necessarily admiring, but intrigued by his character as he develops. This scene, this morally absent yet earthy and slightly bestial scene in which he meets and subsequently sleeps with Joy. I found it beautifully written and these illustrated words perhaps are the reason his character has stolen bits of admiration. This anecdotal scene simply captivated me, although anyone could tell where the story led; I found myself as enthralled as Morris. Despite the fact that laying before me on the pages, sat the same skirt-chasing man; his thoughts brewed in a more fascinating and elemental light, yet void of morals and still unsettling. Philip represents the fallen knights we see in the Grail quests, for he embodies something more corrupt.
He enforces these ideas we commonly call immoral, for he stretches away from the academic pursuits and common proper life of an Englishman to sate his “appetite for life.” Yet I find it interesting because it trails into Morris’ argument that we should partake and enjoy the simply teasing of our desires. Although I’m sure Morris’ kept in mind the boundaries of human ethics where Philip’s lines turn to grey or even, as we see, a darker place.
Thus far I can say that Small World captivates my attention and provokes my thoughts, but what the point of it all as Philip boldly states in his retort with Morris. I’ll simply quote Morris, or Lodge truthfully, “The text unveils itself before us, but never allows itself to be possessed; and instead of striving to possess it we should take pleasure in its teasing.”
I also find myself agreeing with his lecture. The search for understanding and this desire for a certain truth or outcome we find in reading; it is quite “masturbatory.” It translates so smoothly into sexual desire as well as any facet of desire or pleasure. We yearn for the ends and expect it to fully justify the means when in truth the excitement and joy flourish from these “means.” A new desired idea swiftly replaces the accomplished goal or desired outcome by the end. One naturally parallels this concept with the adventures for the grail. The knights ride here, there and everywhere to attain this knowledge, this holy transcendence that to them can only be achieved through the grail. Their desire compels them to risk everything and nothing for this renaissance bound to the concept of a holy grail just as we read each line fed to us by teasing authors to the ends of our very minds or at least the book.
I feel compelled to speak of Philip Swallows and his “appetite for life.” At first I shared little to no love for his character; a loud-mouthed opponent to our, or at least my, heroes of choice; Persse and Morris. Yet I find myself not necessarily admiring, but intrigued by his character as he develops. This scene, this morally absent yet earthy and slightly bestial scene in which he meets and subsequently sleeps with Joy. I found it beautifully written and these illustrated words perhaps are the reason his character has stolen bits of admiration. This anecdotal scene simply captivated me, although anyone could tell where the story led; I found myself as enthralled as Morris. Despite the fact that laying before me on the pages, sat the same skirt-chasing man; his thoughts brewed in a more fascinating and elemental light, yet void of morals and still unsettling. Philip represents the fallen knights we see in the Grail quests, for he embodies something more corrupt.
He enforces these ideas we commonly call immoral, for he stretches away from the academic pursuits and common proper life of an Englishman to sate his “appetite for life.” Yet I find it interesting because it trails into Morris’ argument that we should partake and enjoy the simply teasing of our desires. Although I’m sure Morris’ kept in mind the boundaries of human ethics where Philip’s lines turn to grey or even, as we see, a darker place.
Thus far I can say that Small World captivates my attention and provokes my thoughts, but what the point of it all as Philip boldly states in his retort with Morris. I’ll simply quote Morris, or Lodge truthfully, “The text unveils itself before us, but never allows itself to be possessed; and instead of striving to possess it we should take pleasure in its teasing.”
Friday, November 13, 2009
Chrétien de Troyes "The Story of the Grail (Perceval) P. 419-460
Blancheflor’s name means “White Flower.” As most people conclude, this represents a delicate purity. The imagery of a white flower definitely paints her in a light of purity. Chrétien’s description of her dazzling beauty contributes to this theory. He states clearly her construction and birth by design mean to inspire awe in the hearts of men. He further illustrates her utilizing images of scintillating light and comparing her features to precious items of our world such as gold and ivory. Chrétien sweetens her with his words to further emphasize her delicacy and wholesome nature. Despite her grandeur description and inspiring appearance she exists in a scarred and tattered world. Her environment provides a heavy and clear contrast to her purity just as Perceval’s red armor and violent origin contrasts her innocence.
Although she represents purity she is succumbed and enveloped in violence and the results of violence. Perceval represents rashness and the violence that pushed through directly into her world. However he brings salvation to her through this prevalent violent nature and stains her immaculate snow with drops of ruby blood. Although we do see her manipulating Perceval on the night their temptation borders impurity. She weeps for him to refrain from battle when in truth she wants him to engage the enemy. Her intentions may have stemmed from a pure place but they evidently were stained with droplets of blood already.
Beyond any accusations of wickedness or manners in which her honor or purity have been stained, I see her representing a peace of mind or wholesome state Perceval seeks although does not know it yet. She, to him, represents virtue in a world succumbing him in violence; although he may not see it now she is a redeeming factor for him as he strives forward into a deeper world of violence and tainted knighthood. She represents this just as Gornemont expressed the proper or true knight. I find her character to be extremely interesting as well as my favorite scene so far; the droplets of blood in the snow.
The three crimson droplets of blood staining the still white snow represent Blancheflor and Perceval’s intermingling. The snow clearly represents her and the blood him seeping into her life and perhaps her fate. The pristine and noble nature of the color white and the immaculate first snow clearly read as an image of Blancheflor. The foreign blood framed beautifully in the pale white of the snow reads boldly as Perceval in her life.
The manner the blood intrudes upon the still snow illustrates part of Perceval; it represents the trials, or rather the actions he underwent to claim his knighthood. The hawk strikes down the goose in a violent scene and leaves the wounded goose. The violence is senseless in this scene expressing the way Perceval simply did what he wanted or what benefited him early in the text without regards for the consequences stemming from his violent apprehensions.
This image of blood staining something so pure could easily yield several interpretations. I feel as though it foreshadows a dooming fate for the two who are now intertwined. The illustrated means the blood melts away into and with the cold snow gives way to several thoughts; a lovers death, a happy ending together drifting into each other’s old age or even an unhappy fate involving blame and ill-pointed fingers. I could also infer the blood represents Perceval’s knighthood tarnishing Blancheflor in some way.
We can see a connection clearly from the blood drops to the bleeding lance in the story. I see the bleeding lance so far as representing the violence and ill-fate seeping from the knighthood lifestyle in the times, which strengthens Chrétien’s attitude toward the whole idea of knighthood in the text. The connection between the two could be the violent origin or a foreshadowing of some ill-fate for those involved. Perhaps here we see Chrétien indicating the desecration of purity at the hands of the violence and overall brutality surrounding its precious and delicate state.
I’d like to further praise Chrétien’s excellent writing skill here in the scene with the three blood droplets. Throughout our studies I have always found his works to be my favorites, but this scene I found to be perfectly crafted. The manner Perceval defends his contemplative lingering, the description of the piercing red rubies intruding the whiteness of the still snow; the scene is simply remarkable and one of my most memorable favorites.
Although she represents purity she is succumbed and enveloped in violence and the results of violence. Perceval represents rashness and the violence that pushed through directly into her world. However he brings salvation to her through this prevalent violent nature and stains her immaculate snow with drops of ruby blood. Although we do see her manipulating Perceval on the night their temptation borders impurity. She weeps for him to refrain from battle when in truth she wants him to engage the enemy. Her intentions may have stemmed from a pure place but they evidently were stained with droplets of blood already.
Beyond any accusations of wickedness or manners in which her honor or purity have been stained, I see her representing a peace of mind or wholesome state Perceval seeks although does not know it yet. She, to him, represents virtue in a world succumbing him in violence; although he may not see it now she is a redeeming factor for him as he strives forward into a deeper world of violence and tainted knighthood. She represents this just as Gornemont expressed the proper or true knight. I find her character to be extremely interesting as well as my favorite scene so far; the droplets of blood in the snow.
The three crimson droplets of blood staining the still white snow represent Blancheflor and Perceval’s intermingling. The snow clearly represents her and the blood him seeping into her life and perhaps her fate. The pristine and noble nature of the color white and the immaculate first snow clearly read as an image of Blancheflor. The foreign blood framed beautifully in the pale white of the snow reads boldly as Perceval in her life.
The manner the blood intrudes upon the still snow illustrates part of Perceval; it represents the trials, or rather the actions he underwent to claim his knighthood. The hawk strikes down the goose in a violent scene and leaves the wounded goose. The violence is senseless in this scene expressing the way Perceval simply did what he wanted or what benefited him early in the text without regards for the consequences stemming from his violent apprehensions.
This image of blood staining something so pure could easily yield several interpretations. I feel as though it foreshadows a dooming fate for the two who are now intertwined. The illustrated means the blood melts away into and with the cold snow gives way to several thoughts; a lovers death, a happy ending together drifting into each other’s old age or even an unhappy fate involving blame and ill-pointed fingers. I could also infer the blood represents Perceval’s knighthood tarnishing Blancheflor in some way.
We can see a connection clearly from the blood drops to the bleeding lance in the story. I see the bleeding lance so far as representing the violence and ill-fate seeping from the knighthood lifestyle in the times, which strengthens Chrétien’s attitude toward the whole idea of knighthood in the text. The connection between the two could be the violent origin or a foreshadowing of some ill-fate for those involved. Perhaps here we see Chrétien indicating the desecration of purity at the hands of the violence and overall brutality surrounding its precious and delicate state.
I’d like to further praise Chrétien’s excellent writing skill here in the scene with the three blood droplets. Throughout our studies I have always found his works to be my favorites, but this scene I found to be perfectly crafted. The manner Perceval defends his contemplative lingering, the description of the piercing red rubies intruding the whiteness of the still snow; the scene is simply remarkable and one of my most memorable favorites.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
The Story of the Grail (Perceval) P. 381-419
Chrétien already established Perceval as a character in need of growth and development. We see a child-like character amazed by a world foreign to him. These heralds of a far away place strike awe in him and cause him to seek a place amongst them. Therefore Perceval sets off to find King Arthur and coldly ignoring the grief-stricken heart of his mother.
Perceval encounters several peoples and events as any “knight” would on his travels. He decides to ignore any manners or custom and demands everything he wants. His lack of training in any sense other than religion cause him to be brash and an unkindly sort of person, and a personality not befitting a knight. First he forces a maiden to kiss him and steals her ring believing it to be the “proper” ways of a knight. At this point he basically twists his mother’s words to do what he wants or what he believes is right. His mannerism and actions exhibit a bestial and impotent mind. For example the manner he marched in Arthur’s court and demanded knighthood and undeserved respect.
Despite his rough start and evident amateurism we see Perceval begin to learn and grow upon his meeting Gornemant of Gohort. We see Perceval receive a fatherly and quick training in proper knight etiquette and battle. Several of the lessons from Gornemant parallel the messages of Perceval’s mother. It seems he needs this repetition for anything to stick in his mind at this point, or he needed to hear it from a knight.
He needed this advice to come from the world he yearns to be a part of and what better voice than that of a knight, and a hardened knight as well. Nothing matters in his mind other than being the best knight he can at this point. Gornemant represents everything he wants in life now and he will give anything to achieve this position. At this point and further on we see quite a bit of development in Perceval’s personality and overall etiquette. Although I have picked preferred text before, I have found this story to be my favorite.
Perceval encounters several peoples and events as any “knight” would on his travels. He decides to ignore any manners or custom and demands everything he wants. His lack of training in any sense other than religion cause him to be brash and an unkindly sort of person, and a personality not befitting a knight. First he forces a maiden to kiss him and steals her ring believing it to be the “proper” ways of a knight. At this point he basically twists his mother’s words to do what he wants or what he believes is right. His mannerism and actions exhibit a bestial and impotent mind. For example the manner he marched in Arthur’s court and demanded knighthood and undeserved respect.
Despite his rough start and evident amateurism we see Perceval begin to learn and grow upon his meeting Gornemant of Gohort. We see Perceval receive a fatherly and quick training in proper knight etiquette and battle. Several of the lessons from Gornemant parallel the messages of Perceval’s mother. It seems he needs this repetition for anything to stick in his mind at this point, or he needed to hear it from a knight.
He needed this advice to come from the world he yearns to be a part of and what better voice than that of a knight, and a hardened knight as well. Nothing matters in his mind other than being the best knight he can at this point. Gornemant represents everything he wants in life now and he will give anything to achieve this position. At this point and further on we see quite a bit of development in Perceval’s personality and overall etiquette. Although I have picked preferred text before, I have found this story to be my favorite.
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