2/1 Bisclavret and Lanval - When a Dude is a Werewolf and another is Savage

So these two stories were all sort of interesting. Starting with Bisclavret...I'm quite satisfied with the wife's fate. Seriously, who does that to their husband (they apparently had a good thing going on)?

Did she feel unsafe knowing that he turned into a "monster" several times a week (that's what I think it says)? If she did should've known better. They've been married for what I think is a while and if he never harmed her before, what makes her think the future would be any different (except that it did because you betrayed him).

Sucks to suck.
But in all seriousness, perhaps the more likely reason was that her entire view of him changed. Since he transformed into a beast, he must be one. Going along with the thought, perhaps she thought that it would basically be bestiality if they continued to be intimate.

100% Ship Bisclavret with the King. That is the type of bromance and romance that we need in this world.

This also seems to be a story about appearances. The wife was noted to have been very beautiful, but as we learn, she is nothing more than just a pretty face. She instantly judges him when he reveals his curse. She doesn't pay any sort of attention to what sort of man he is - who is the type of man who loved and respected the wishes of his wife enough tot he point of ignoring his instincts and telling his secret (even Courtly Love tells you not to reveal all your secrets and you know it's a think when it's in the rule book). Loved the part where Bisclavret bit his wife's nose off and all of her subsequent daughters were noseless.

As for Lanval...Jesus, what to say, except that Guinevere, as always is starting shit and just in general, being a bitch (calling a guy gay just because he refused to be your lover out of respect for his King? Hello?). Loved it when Lanval straight up tells her that's she's not the most beautiful woman since even the handmaidens of his beloved are more beautiful than her.

Savage, bro. However, not smart as you had promised your lady friend not to tell anyone about each others. Once again, keeping some secrets is a good thing and revealing them to the wrong person or at the most inopportune time? Well, you dug your own hole. Now go crawl in it and think about what you've done.

3/27 The Knight's Tale (Accidentally did The Knight of the Cart - whoops)

So, I accidentally posted for 3/27 The Knight of the Cart and not The Knight's Tale...this is awkward.

Being perfectly honest, I'm a bit confused with the beginning. Exactly what happened with Palamon and Arcite? It sounded like they were on Death's door, but then were imprisoned? Did I read that correctly? And am I right in thinking they lived because they were related to the previous ruler as they are both cousins, yes? So very confused.

Know what I'm not confused about?

Freaking love at first sight. Seriously. We all know how this is going to go. At least one of them is going to die - can't be having a love triangle up in here. But seriously, leave the poor woman alone. She's just minding her own business, and both Palamon and Arcite are like, "le gasp A beautiful maiden walking before me after all this time in jail? My heart's suddenly beating really fast. Must be my one true love!"

And then Arcite gets the freak outta jail and is moaning about how unlucky he is to no longer be imprisoned, but his life sucks because he can't see the pretty lady. Know what this reminds me of? Fucking Achilles.

Jesus, I have so many feelings about men acting like absolute babies when they can't have the woman they "fell in love" with/ the woman that's "theirs" because ultimately, Palamon and Arcite fight over Emelye, and the poor woman's like, "Please no. Leave me out of this. I just want to run around the forest all day and be free."

Can. We. Not.

4/10 Sir Orfeo - Orpheus with a Happy Ending

So this is my first time reading Sir Orfeo (and I keep wanting to spell it Orpheo), but it was similar enough to Orpheus that it was like I had already read it. I think it was nice to give it a happy ending, although thanks to the book Goddess of Spring, by P.C. Cast, I can no longer think of Orpheus as a good guy. This story was actually quite nice to read. I believe this was already said in class, but just how did the Queen meet the Fairy King? I know magic

but I know I'd like a short story telling how it happened...quite possibly I'd be more interested in the Fairy King's story instead. That could be interesting. I'd love to know exactly why it is that the Fairy King chose those people. In Orpheus, they would have been the dead down in Hades, with the Fairy King actually being Hades (and it follows that the Fairy Queen, who would be Persephone, is the one that is moved by Orfeo's music), but what exactly is the Fairy King doing with all those people? It's not like he has a use for them (most are in the between of dying) nor is there a point to him having them, so why?

Also, something of interest to note that was not brought up during class is that the ending of the story is incredibly similar to the ending of The Odyssey.

Both (Orfeo and Odysseus) are away from their kingdom for several years and when they return, they are disguised as beggars and test the people who serve them before revealing themselves. The only difference is that Odysseus straight up slaughters a lot of people while there is no bloodshed with Orfeo. I do think it's interesting to have the same kind of ending, with the whole disguise and revealing of oneself. Do you think that that was pulled from Odysseus or another story as apparently this is a thing in many stories (although I'm drawing a blank)? I think so, but that could be because I'm rather partial to The Odyssey.

One final note, which ties back to the Fairy King, but why bother changing Hades to the Fairy King to begin with? I understand putting your own spin on things, but was there really a point to altering the character? If the Fairy King had remained as Hades, would the story have been that drastically different? Perhaps Orfeo wouldn't have seen his Queen during the march in the woods since Hades is known to generally remain in Hades, but there are times that Hades comes out from his realm. It's not very often, but it happens. So what was the point? Was it just because fairies were a big thing or was it taking a Greek myth and making it their own with their own mythological/ fantastical creatures? Food for thought with a answer we may never know because the author's dead, but it happens.

3/27 The Knight of the Cart and Man with the Hair Fetish

So this is the second time that I've read this story, and I can honestly say every time, I have been severely disturbed by Lancelot's behavior and my image of him shattered (much like Guinevere, but it wasn't much of a fall...never particularly liked her). From this:

to smothering hair all over his face and body and getting pleasure from it, perhaps disturbing isn't as strong of a word as I would like.
https://youtu.be/YYEQqnvFwqQ?t=2m36s
^^Wouldn't let me put in the video, so link ya go (start at 2:54-3:00)

The father's reaction is completely my reaction to Lancelot this entire story. Boy needs Jesus. Also, how is it that Lancelot didn't die from all of his spacing out, besides he is a super strong knight? What would happen if someone shot arrows at him? Would he straight up dodge them or grab them midair, like a bad ass (which I guess is exactly what he did with the flaming spear...huh)?

Either way, I feel like Lancelot is so not the knight anyone should be looking up to. Yes, he's Arthur's strongest, most "loyal" knight. Yes, he's the one who saved Guinevere, but in being obsessed (yes, obsessed, because there is no other word for what Lancelot is towards Guinevere), he almost let a maiden be raped in her own home. This is the same maiden who offered him food and shelter (even if in return, he was to sleep with her, and the entire time, he was an awkward banana, like if you don't like it, freaking walk out, bro. You didn't need to stay at her place. Stop being a bitch), and yet when she's about to be raped in her own home, and I believe her own bed, he hesitates at the door, not because there are big, scary men at the door, but because he is ashamed of himself for taking food and shelter at this woman's house when his every waking moment (which in his mind, should be ever moment), should be dedicated to saving Guinevere. That is not a man any one should aspire to be like, nor is his relationship with Guinevere a healthy one. It's downright toxic and no wonder it leads to Camelot's downfall (but let's be honest, that's on Arthur too for murdering children just to be rid of Mordred...great advice, Merlin).  

For 3/20 Wife of Bath's Tale

Okay, so I only have one problem with this tale. Personally speaking, I rather enjoyed it and I think the Old Hag is an amazing character. It's always great when the Old character manages to outsmart the younger ones, and have them do exactly what they want without the younger ones realizing what just happened until it's too late (only if the old character is funny/nice/ a good person in general, otherwise they're the creepy, assholish character and that's unacceptable).

So as for my problem with this story, it's that the knight got everything in the end - a happy ending. He ending up with a beautiful, wise wife, who would stay faithful. What the fuck? He raped a maiden at the very beginning of this, his punishment was to figure out what women want, and once he finds it thanks to the old hag, he gets his happy ending by giving her sovereignty over her body, which never should have been an issue???

Yes, I get that he learned his lesson, and that he shouldn't take away someone's control of their own body and future, but still what about the maiden from the beginning? Where's her justice? Can you imagine what she must be thinking or feeling when she finds out that he was never executed, instead was sent out to find out what women want (probably smirked when she found out he was forced to marry an old hag), but then he gets a happy ending, and she's a young, defiled woman? What about her future??? This is the biggest problem I have with the story because the young maiden is literally just used as a prop to start the knight on his punishment quest and she never receives her justice.

Also, food for thought, but would the old hag have told him the answer if she knew why he was on this quest? He never states why he's on the quest, just that he has to get the answer or his life is forfeit. Or what if she finds out during their marriage? She already said she'd be his beautiful, faithful wife, but what would happen if she learned the truth? I somehow doubt they would remain happy.

Orfeo: Music Soothes the Savage Beast

Orfeo: Music Soothes the Savage Beast 

(within himself AND the "Underlord"

All is well that ends well. I do like a happy ending, who doesn't? This tale is romantic from beginning to end. The symbolism of the harp took me into the story from the start. To rhyme there I did not see, before I wrote about Orfeo's own purgatory. I'm not so sure about ten years there though!

 I admire Orfeo's resolve once he sees the ladies and understands that he needs to follow them. His mission turns out to be right and he wasn't just a crazy guy gone mad from living like a wild animal for so long. Laugh and the world laughs with you (or listens to your music), but cry and you cry alone. I agree with Devon in Orfeo' sweetness, but it's very sad too--all those years alone without her! 

In the "other world" it appears to be a test  for our protagonist, but then he has his prize, I'm not surprised --  I am glad and think he earned her more than any man could; but to win and lose and win again! A close call I'd say! 

But the magic here and in all these tales and their protagonists is excellent. Whether from fairies or other devices helping them with council, it reminds me of the struggles we all share -- to navigate mortal dreams; these "quests" for connection to "source". Like Oreo, we want to understand and make sense of such a short time in this earthly realm. Orfeo's true magic, though, is from his harp. He's victorious because he finds the music within him that sings the tune which opens all doors, to all realms, known and unknown -- dreams we all yearn for and the ones yet to be dreamt.

For 3/27 'Wife of Bath'--I posted for 'knights Tale'/mistakenly

The Wife of Bath's Tale: Big Lesson from Chaucer here I have to champion

**I wrote a longer version of this post here, but hit a button this (frustrating blog site) didnt like and all was erased...so, here's a somewhat shorter version:

I have to disagree with some posts re the sentence and clemency given the knight in the end. Chaucer here, as opposed to John Gower's 'Florent' tale, is generously giving us (mostly men) a larger lesson to ponder. He allows the rapist to be educated and subsequently redeemed not merely to give a criminal a year's vacation and in the end a hot wife and restored respect; this is a lesson to show us all, esp men, what can happen when women are given the "reigns", the power of decision-making, the sovereignty, to offer their wisdom of care in deciding what's best for society as a whole. Yes sovereignty in the home with their men, but this is a great day for women! Because what is highlighted here is women's skill and ability to render, patient, thoughtful, gracefully intelligent and carefully crafted JUDICIAL PRUDENCE! Rather than the often used "knee jerk" eye for an eye mentality men in power so often resort to. Guen and her "cohort, the Hag/Fairy Queen construct a "lesson" that gives society not only a better man who can teach other men that might not otherwise listen to a women's perspective--men teaching, modeling good behavior, is a better delivery because unfortunately too often men only listen to other men. Chaucer says, we need good men to mentor the other idiots!

Forgiveness. Can you imagine?

I think this is the first story we’ve read that has a proem, unless the prologues in Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales count as proems. Anyway, the proem describes the origin of the conflict in “Sir Gowther”—namely, that demons rape human women and make them bear their literal hellspawn. Hang on, supernatural beings fathering half-human children? That sounds familiar . . .

Dangit Zeus.

The last three lines of the proem are as follows: “I’ll tell you instead of a warlock great / Who caused his mother’s heart to break / With all his deeds so wild” (22-24). However, though Gowther’s deeds are indeed wild and heinous and altogether terrible, they do not seem to be the deeds of a warlock since none are magical in nature. The only ones that might be magical in nature are the slaughters of Gowther’s wet nurses and the tearing off his mother’s nipple (ouch), because I’m pretty sure babies are not strong enough to do any of that no matter how hard they try! Then again, this is from the same genre that has knights slicing their foes cleanly and precisely in two, so maybe I should stop analyzing the realism of Gowther’s actions. That being said, the text later refers to Gowther’s father as “the warlock wild” (674), so maybe “warlock” is another term for “evil one.”

One more thing about the proem: it makes no mention of the warlock’s penance and redemption. This gives the impression that the story will just be about a monster of a man who keeps doing worse and worse things until he has destroyed everyone and everything in Europe. Alternatively, this gives the impression that the most important parts of the story are about Gowther’s terrible deeds. I disagree; Gowther’s penance and redemption are so important! Gowther is half-fiend, and yet his mother (who knows his hellish heritage) treats him about the same as she might a fully human child, the Pope allows him penance, and God answers Gowther’s prayers. One might argue that a tendency toward harm is inherent and strong in a half-fiend, and Gowther’s acts as an infant support this. Also, Gowther easily listens to the Devil, as “He’d always work his father’s will / Wherever he might fare” (176-177). One might say that Gowther is a lost cause, that there is no use in trying to teach him to be good and to follow God. Yet the people who raise Gowther do that, and even better: God shows mercy to a half-demon.

Did Christians find a strange sort of comfort in this story back when it first circulated? I figure if the Lord will forgive a half-demon for his sins, then He will surely forgive ordinary humans for theirs.

Osborn, Marijane, translator. Nine Medieval Romances of Magic. Broadview Press, 2000.

I pledge that I have neither given nor received any unauthorized aid on this assignment.

Miranda A. Barrientos

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.