Four Arthurian Romances
Four Arthurian Romances
de Troyes, active 12th century Chrétien
Translated by William Wistar Comfort
Chrétien de Troyes didn't just retell Arthurian legend, he invented it. Writing in the 12th century at the court of Champagne, he transformed scattered Celtic fragments into something entirely new: the medieval romance, where knights pursue honor and love in equal measure, and the line between the two blurs into delicious tension. These four tales establish every archetype we still recognize. In Erec and Enide, a knight must choose between his wedding bed and his reputation. Yvain abandons his bride for glory, then returns to find her door barred. Lancelot betrays his king for the queen in the first telling of history's most famous affair. And the Grail Quest begins its long, mysterious journey into the heart of Christian mystery. Here are the origins of Guinevere's infidelity, the knight in shining armor, the damsel in distress, the quest that defines a life. Chrétien writes with psychological subtlety that surprises modern readers, his heroes struggle with desire, shame, and the impossible demands of courtly love. Five centuries before Malory, he gave us the Arthurian world we still inhabit.
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“When it hurts and destroys its follower, Love is worse than Hatred.””
— de Troyes, active 12th century Chrétien
“One cannot love with the eyes alone.””
— de Troyes, active 12th century Chrétien
“He who spends all his time amassing wealth is a slave to it.””
— de Troyes, active 12th century Chrétien
“He who wants to do more than he is able must admit defeat or retire.””
— de Troyes, active 12th century Chrétien
“A good silence never harmed anyone but speaking often causes harm.””
— de Troyes, active 12th century Chrétien
“My good sir, is she your daughter then?''Yes, but don't pay any attention to what she says,' said the lord. 'She's a child - a silly, foolish thing.''Indeed,' said my lord Gawain, 'then I'd be very ill-mannered not to do what she wants.””
— de Troyes, active 12th century Chrétien
“What the eyes do not see can never pain the heart.””
— de Troyes, active 12th century Chrétien
“But many have to look on in silence at what distresses them.””
— de Troyes, active 12th century Chrétien
“For sorrow to which one gives voice is worth nothing if it does not touch the heart.””
— de Troyes, active 12th century Chrétien
