Synthesis Essay: Arthurian Legends

Synthesis Essay: Arthurian Legends

Arthurian legends, which began in the Middle Ages, have been written in many different perspectives as times have changed. Guinevere was one of the most prominently known legends, and was written about in several different centuries. Chrétien De Troyes wrote about Guinevere in the Middle Ages throughout Arthurian Romances where she is punished for comitting adultrous treason. She was also written about by Norma Lorre Goodrich in modern times throughout King Arthur which explains Guinevere’s abduction and how this led to her infidelity. Therefore, because of differing time periods both Chrétien De Troyes and Norma Lorre Goodrich’s stories, although they are in regards to the same character, are both
Goodrich also writes in regards to Lancelot saving Guinevere from her abductor. The mentioning of Guinevere’s abduction resonates with the audience, because of the increase in abductions in the 1900’s. This also describes a part of Guinevere’s life that is not normally mentioned in other accounts of her legend. Goodrich uses the following phrase, “Every account of the abduction concurs that the island is of glass, looks like glass, gleams like glass, and/or has on its crystal mountain”(Goodrich 149). This quote describes Guinevere’s abduction, which would later lead to Lancelot saving her. Goodrich also describes Guinevere’s loss of love towards King Arthur and her new love for Lancelot, her knight in shining armour. The author goes on to portray Guinevere’s character in her story; “Queen Guinevere was no lovesick married women in search of titillation, like the usual adherents of courtly love”(Goodrich page 144). This quote exemplifies Guinevere’s hatred towards King Arthur, which could be a reason for which she was victimized, and
Both authors want to relate with there audience, therefore they use relatable events to do so. In Arthurian Romances De Troyes relates to the audience by portraying courtly play in the punishment of Guinevere. In the Middle Ages readers were intrigued by violence and brutality, which directly correlated with Guinevere being burned at the stake. De Troyes uses the phrase, “Offenders were punished / By being set in the cart / And driven up and down / The town. Their reputations / were lost, and the right to be present / At court; they lost all honor / And joy. Everyone knew / What carts were for, and feared them”( Chrétien, lines 333-339). This quote portrays a part of the punishment, and also brings forth a sense of guilt in Guinevere and Lancelot; this is what enticed the readers. Moreover, in King Arthur Goodrich relates to the modernist audience by using an abducted and victimized Guinevere to relate with a society that is facing similar issues. The audience feels empathy for characters, because they have been through the same problem, and in turn do not see the harm in her adultery with Lancelot. Furthermore, both authors altered their stories to relate with the time period they were writing in. They also differed in their perspective of the way in which Guinevere was to be perceived both in the