Did anyone else notice any loose threads in this story?
Let’s review:
Yvain goes to the spring to defeat the knight guarding it
and avenge his cousin’s honor. Once he gets stuck in the lady’s castle, his
love for the lady aside, his honor prevents him from escaping and returning
home: “Since no one would ever believe in the success of his quest [unless he
brought the corpse with him], he was ashamed to leave” (de Troyes 275).
However, when King Arthur’s entire court arrives to the castle after Yvain
marries his lady, no one??? Asks??? About his vengeance quest??? Does that not
matter anymore?
The lady (hereafter referred to as Magic Spring Lady, because
she has no name but she does have a
magic spring) asks Yvain, “And would you dare undertake the defense of my
spring for me?” (de Troyes 281). Yvain says he will, and we see him protect the
spring from Unferth Kay, but when he goes away, who protects the spring?
Yvain and Magic Spring Lady add exceptions to their agreement in case Yvain is
imprisoned or becomes too ill to move, but they completely forget the spring.
Isn’t the spring important? It seems important. It is ridiculously beautiful,
almost indescribable, and guarded by a fierce fighter. Why wouldn’t Magic
Spring Lady remember her magic spring? Who’s defending the spring now that
Yvain has been away from Magic Spring Land for too long? I can’t imagine Magic
Spring Lady doing it. She seems like she would much rather fight with words
than with lance and shield. (Maybe she made Lunete do it . . .)
A vavasor and a beautiful maiden provide hospitality to both
Calogrenant and Yvain while the knights are on their way to Magic Spring Land.
We never hear from either of them again. Do they just . . . kind of . . . not
actually matter? I would’ve thought the maiden at least would have mattered,
just because beautiful women tend to matter in these kinds of stories. But . .
. I guess not?
Maybe the next part of the story will tie up at least one of
these loose ends. Maybe we’ll hear more about the sun and the moon.
Source (PSA: always credit the artist)
I pledge that I have neither given nor received any
unauthorized aid on this assignment.
Miranda A. Barrientos
