Emare's Fantasy -Elizabeth

This was an oddly too happy story for me...although I'm not entirely sure why. I've exposed myself to killer levels of cheesy goodness and still loved it, but this story just seemed extra fake to me.

 If I look at it in terms of the lessons of goodness and morals she displays, I can see how it has some merit as a popular story. But to me, she was just too calm with meeting her death at sea, for taking her innocent newborn son with her the second time, and for reading such a horrible letter from her beloved husband. Not to mention this overly fantasy, embroidery robe which (for some reason) was always sent with her out to sea. The emperor's first reaction to denial from his daughter is death, and yet, that same day he breaks down into tears over regret for what he's done? I'm sorry, but if  you're that temperamental as a parent, and that impulsive as a King, how on earth did he gain his great reputation in the first place?

And although I did enjoy the fact she met, fell in love, and married a good man after her first ordeal at sea, I couldn't help but be surprised to see the King leave his pregnant wife to go to war for several years. I don't know if King's actually put themselves in harms-way every war in real life, but I would think that once they took up the crown they were kept in a place of safety, especially until the confirmation of a living heir was confirmed. Then there's the fact this parent didn't seem to mind at all missing the birth of his son, or his first steps, first word...etc. It said the war lasted for years, but she would've given birth in less than one.

...there are just too many pieces that don't add up, which I think is why I disliked the happy ending. It didn't make any sense how they got there, and was so entirely fantasy I couldn't take satisfaction in it all working out.

The class discussion the other day was interesting though, and answered a couple holes I saw in the plot. I was surprised to discover that the word "Egare" actually meant "Outcast," and found this new name clever because of it. I originally thought she changed it for a simpler transition, since it's only a one letter difference.

I think the story would have been improved had she lost something with each trip across the sea: like her trust in family, maybe some of the beauty in her robe, a toe freezing off from the cold sea...her son being ill for a bit from being exposed to such cold weather while so young, or maybe just her living in great poverty with her son for those first 7 years. Him learning the hardships and work moral of this status, but still remaining courteous, and she who pulls through each trial (but not without sacrifice) to finally be reunited with them all in the end.

Wicked Mommy Dearest

So, surprisingly, I had a difficult time getting through Emaré. I am not sure what happened between Sir Orfeo and Emaré but I was just not feeling this tale. With Sir Orfeo, I had all the elements that I like to see from a retelling: Supernatural elements, whimsical words, a drastic change from the original plot (like, hello!?, did NOT see that happy ending coming), and lots of lurrrrrve. But Emaré was just "meh" for me. Nothing really stood out to get me all hyped up about her or her story.

But, as anyone who knows me knows, I LOVED the evil, wicked, mother in law figure. Personally, my relationship with my mother-in-law isn't the best. In fact, it's pretty terrible since I don't like her and she doesn't like me. But that's neither here nor there. I have been WAITING DESPERATELY, for an evil female figure and she's finally here, guys! She's here!

I love evil. Whether that be good ol' Lucifer, Evil Queens, villains, monsters, Gretchen Weiners. I'm a fan, like you have no idea. So when I found an evil queen in Emare? It was on.

Seriously, she makes this story, for me. Her bitchy "unkind" words: YASS, The evil laugh/plot "Then said the angry queen, turning for home, 'I do not mean to stay to see you wed'". How you like them apples?! Then she writes a ton of "evil letters" that throw the whole plotline into disarray. And she's known as the "wicked queen". Like, that's awesome.

So thank GOD, for this evil queen because without her, I don't think I would have made it through Emaré's story. I don't think I would have a shred of interest.

What Did I Just Read.......

OKAY WHAT A STORY FULL OF WTF! Sir Gowther tells about his life from birth to death. If is the son of a fiend and has an evil life ahead of him after conception under that chestnut tree.

DO NOT GO INTO THE ORCHARD! Okay so poor MOM. She literately thought this man was her husband and made love to him and she was deceived for it. I feel slight sympathy for her because all she wanted to do was please her husband with a child and she was deceived into conceiving a doomed man eating child who did tore off nipples. I am starting to believe women should not go into the orchard because Sir Orfeo wife and the wife in this tale got into trouble going into the orchard.

After finding out the truth of his father he travels to receive absolution from his sins from the Pope. The pope tells him that he cannot speak and can only eat things that dogs eat. So picture him eating under a table with hounds.

I think its great that they fight in different colors every day because before we were told that people were known for their armor. The color and intricacy of the armor identifies who the knight it and no one know who these knights are. I think this is awesome because they conduct themselves so well in the world of combat and I know people want to give them recognition but they can’t because they cannot identify who they are.  They only person who knows about this, is the emperorer;s daughter who is mute and she cannot tell anyone anything.

She falls from her tower when she sees Sir Gowther wounded badly in the last day of their battle. They thought that she was dead but she came to, and told everyone that god has forgiven Sir Gowther for his sins and now they can both speak again. I think its touching that he repents for his sins and receives his blessing for following “gods” will. 

Emare and her robe shield

I really like this tale, even though we are right back to treating women like objects. Sadly I don't think that theme will rest up. We do have another situation where the father seems a little too protective or obsessed with his daughter. Why did he feel the need to marry her though? That just weirds me out. Despite her own father banishing her, she seems to roll with the punches and that's throughout the whole story.

Her father treats her as an object and King Galys only looks at her outer beauty to determine that he wants to marry her. Although I did appreciate his kindness in his letter that told his men to still look after her. My question is why didn't Sir Kadore do anything when all of a sudden she was going to be banished? Wouldn't he think something was off? He must have gotten a bad vibe from the queen mother at some point that she was the type to meddle in, it's kind of hard not to recognize someone like that.

I like the robe concept here. I think that it definitely had a major role in saving her life and sort of guiding her maybe. She was weakened by her travels but she wasn't left for dead. She also reached far off places that accepted her, at least at one point. She was also wearing it when she was reunited with the her husband. I also loved how she settled with a merchant and spent years working with her hands instead of being kept above everybody else to just be marveled at like queens and princesses are usually. I didn't care for her to meet with her father again, but I guess it made her happy to be reunited with him.

Thank God the mother was found out to be a lying piece of crap! She brought it on herself. I mean maybe she was bored and didn't want another woman to receive love from her son but what the hell woman. Go find yourself a man, or a hobby for that matter! I really liked this happy ending. Emare deserved to know that her husband did not banish her and her son deserved to know that his father truly loved him.

Sweet Emaré's Sweet Come Back

Emaré must be my favorite tale by far.  In the face of death, Emaré/ Egaré somehow kills everyone with kindness and grace.  I wish I wasn't as petty as I am, because she is an absolute rock-star.  A humble upbringing by Dame Abró was clearly much better than her heathen father.  I find it interesting how no one questions anyone.  There is no "dude wtf" or "why did you replace me with the King of Sicily?"  (ALSO lol at his temporary blindness and instantly blaming it on fairies)

I'm very proud of her to have the strength to tell her father she will not marry him in the name of the Lord.  Still shocked that his first instinct was to cast his own daughter who he's seen for the first time in YEARS to sea with no resources.  But at the same time, I feel like a lot of people make rash decisions as such.

Emaré, now Egaré once she reaches Wales seems to experience one of the greatest fortunes the world could bestow upon her.   Much like our class discussion about the author giving the reader positive/life changing events, but taking away with tragedy (although this is of a higher scale than Sir Orfeo's) I find that it makes me want to keep reading.  Having a healthy boy and living to take care of him, then being cast off to sea AGAIN because of her husband's mom (talk about bad in-laws).

The way she goes about telling, or having Segramore tell them, both her father and husband who they are is extraordinarily eloquent.  She carries no hate in her which I know I would be FIRED UP if anything happened to me even remotely as terrible as that.  I'd say the lesson is to prove by doing and always strive to be the better person (and to raise even better kids).

Ehh...

I'll be honest, I dont think I am a fan of this tale.

Don't get me wrong, I love the whole idea of this fairy world, or underworld because it adds a lot to the story, but i didnt really want to see a happy ending... at all. I feel like all this stuff happened just for it to come full circle and be a happy ending and end how it initially started off. He was king again. I guess the only thing is it took 10 years and a lot can happen in 10 years. The most interesting part of this whole story is when his wife does get taken, after that and all the way to the end i just found myself diappointed with the plot of the story. Somebody needed to die (his wife... or him maybe) 

Although I dont care for the happy ever after ending or the plot I did enjoy the symbolism. For instance in class we talked about diguise and how people who do that are usually people who did wrong. I didnt realize what Sir Orfeo could have done until I thought about it. He ditched his people with no rhyme or reason! So that made a lot of sense. He didnt just come back 10 years later like he was hot s*** again. But with that I am still stuck on this whole idea of a happy ending. His people were accepting after he ditched them 10 years ago... but I mean hey. 

Back to the fairyland idea. I loved it! I love seeing settings like this, especially when they are semi-unexpected. You dont expect fairies to come out of nowhere and take your wife. 😐😐 Things like that dont happen in real life and to be honest I want to escape from reality when I am reading and this does just that. Faries are supposed to be mystical creatures and this captures that. 

Something to Harp About

Well, I've spent a good week tracing my memory for the original story, "Orpheus," and I don't think I've ever heard it, despite how familiar the word Orpheus sounds. That's a shame because I'm really into the Underworld setting, fairies are the only mystical creature that never fail to interest me (this I've known since 5th grade), and "Sir Orfeo" is definitely one of my favorite medieval tales thus far. It would be enriching to read where it came from.

I found myself most attracted to and fascinated by the symbolism imbedded in the tale. Most memorably, this version retains the original symbol of a harp. A harp free associates well in my mind. I think of Greek Gods looking to the Heavens and stringing their harps like they're making love to them - something angelic and passionate. Harps sound like poetry, and with all those strings, it takes a lot of skill to play one. Both Orpheus and Sir Orfeo are known for their mad harp skills. In fact, it's his harping that ultimately grants Sir Orfeo his wife:

Minstrel, your harping pleases me,

So ask whatever it might be,

And generously your boon I'll grant.

Now speak, and tell me what you want.

(Lines 449-452)

Of course, the Fairy King has to let us know he doesn't want to give Sir Orfeo's wife up but that he will, since he just said he'd do anything. What a nice guy! Who knew he was such a man of his word, let alone a man so moved by strings. You know, it's really a surprise that anyone keeps his word when he doesn't want to. If an evil fairy king can keep his word when he doesn't want to, why can't you?

After the Fairy King teaches us to stay true, Sir Orfeo reminds us to stay humble. First of all, this guy and his wife were the king and queen, and they aren't even recognized when they return to Winchester. Okay, maybe the lack of technology and passage of time can explain that one, but Sir Orfeo is still smart enough to remember that he really ditched out on his people, they might not understand why, and they might even hate him, so it's probably not be a good idea to reveal himself in his return without giving it much thought.

Instead, he chills on the outskirts of town and stops by a "beggar's hut by the city wall" (Line 486) to get the inside scoop on his kingdom. Then, he puts on "a suit of borrowed rags" (Line 501) and goes into town with his harp on his back with intent on finding out how loyal his people really are. I have to admit, I was looking forward to some drama in the kingdom upon his return, but once his squire's loyalty is clear, Sir Orfeo reclaims his throne and everything is pretty much happy ever after. Oh well, this anticlimax still teaches me two things:

1. Love deserves your time and energy above all.
2. Those who love you will not stop loving you when you're gone.

Nine Medieval Romances of Magic,re-rhymed in modern English by Marijane Osborn.