- Published: October 2, 2022
- Updated: October 2, 2022
- University / College: University of Massachusetts Boston
- Level: Doctor of Philosophy
- Language: English
- Downloads: 23
of World Literature Lanval Lanval is one of the fairy tales that were based on the Arthurian settings, which was characterized by items such as the isle of Avalon and the round table. The above excerpt mentions Lanval’s fairy lady lover while maintain the story’s failure to give the name of the lover until she arrives with her maids to take Lanval away to Avalon. Among the accusations leveled against Lanval, referred to in the excerpt to have spite the Queen includes his boasting that he has an extremely wealthy lover of unequalled beauty with more charming maids (Schofield, P. 29). Angered by Lanval’s boasting the Queen accuses Lanval before the King who seeks that Lanval be tried before the Court Barons. The Barons demand that Lanval shows proof of the existence of his fairy lady lover. The barons want Lanval to prove that he did not just make his remarks about his beautiful fairy lover just to spite the Queen. Sooner, the fairy lady’s maids arrive, followed by more beautiful maids before the fairy lady herself arrives (Schofield, P. 62). The fairy lady admits she has been Lanval’s lover and states that the Queen was in the wrong. Lanval is allowed to leave with the lady to Avalon. The excerpt thus continues the story’s intent of not mentioning the name of the knight’s lover, instead referring to her merely as his beloved one.
The excerpt gives insights into numerous aspects of life during the Arthurian period. First, the excerpt gives an insight into the nature of the judicial system during the period of King Arthur. Second, the excerpt gives an insight into the nature and extent of Queen Guinevere’s wealth while at the same time highlighting her lack of spiritual and intelligence qualities (Schofield, P. 35). In addition, the excerpt brings out the Queen’s beauty and charms as she woos the knight. In spite of her courtliness, nobleness, and beauty, the Queen does manage to woo the Knight and accuses him of homosexuality.
Work Cited
Schofield, W. H. The Lays of Graelent and Lanval and the Story of Wayland. Nabu Press, 2010.