Title: The Character of Gauvain in the Thirteenth-Century Prose Romances
Abstract: In Malory’s Arthurian Tales Gauvain is found in two entirely different roles: in
some of the Tales he is the model of chivalry, while in others he is treacherous
and vindictive. These inconsistencies, as Professor Eugene Vinaver has shown
in a number of illuminating studies, were not introduced by Malory himself,
but were already in his French sources.1 There are, in fact, two distinct traditions concerning Gauvain. In the twelfth-century verse romances Gauvain was
the embodiment of all chivalric virtues. Though never the title hero, he is represented as the best of Arthur’s knights:Devant toz les buens chevaliers
Doit estre Gauvains li premiers (Erec, ll. 1691-2)Among all the good knights Gauvain must be considered
the most outstandingHe is renowned for his courtesy, his modesty and above all his sens or wisdom.
In battle he is practically invincible, and the greatest honour that could befall
any knight was to avoid being defeated by Gauvain. He is also the perfect lover.
In the thirteenth-century prose romances, however, his character is modified
until finally he assumes the role of a villain and becomes the most cruel and
treacherous of all knights.2 How did this change come about?
Publication Year: 2005
Publication Date: 2005-11-08
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 1
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