Tirant lo Blanch; a study of its authorship, principal sources and historical settingVaeth, Joseph Anthony
History
Tirant lo Blanch; a study of its authorship, principal sources and historical setting
Vaeth, Joseph Anthony
Martorell, Joanot, -1468. Tirant lo Blanch
From the above comparisons it is evident that Martorell did not have
Roger de Flor in mind when he described the knightly combats of Tirant.
But we do find a strong similarity between the youthful Tirant and
young Guy of Warwick as he is pictured to us in the English romance. We
know that Martorell had great respect for Guy of Warwick, for he calls
him “lo egregi e strenu caualler, pare de caualleria.” Perhaps the
youthful career of Guy or other incidents in the English romance have
made such impression on the author as to have left other visible marks
on his book of chivalry? Perhaps _Guy of Warwick_ has yielded more than
is generally believed? Let us follow the hint and see what result the
investigation will produce.
Guy of Warwick in his youth served Earl Rohold as cup-bearer, and fell
in love with Felice, the daughter of his lord. Such woe came over
him that he wept. His suffering became greater and greater. Finally
he concluded to tell her of his love, for he could not eat nor drink
nor rest, and his woe was driving him to despair. He went to her, and
throwing himself at her feet, he made confession of his love. She
rebuffed him and warned him not to come to her again. He returned to
his room, where he tore his hair and rent his clothes until he swooned.
The earl sent doctors, and Guy pretended to be suffering from chills
and fever. Love again drove him to her feet. A maid remarked that
if she were the daughter of the richest king on earth, she could
not refuse Guy her love. Felice chided the maid for her speech, but
nevertheless took compassion on the unhappy lover and promised him her
love if he should become a great knight. And finally Guy, by his valor,
love, and true worth, won her, although he was beneath her in station.
Tirant, as we have observed in the analysis, was afflicted in much
the same manner, when first he beheld Carmesina. He, too, was below
his lady in station, and his confession of love was received as an
insult. The emperor sent his physicians to him, and he claimed that his
sickness was due to change of climate. Just as the maid interceded for
Guy, so Stephania pleaded in behalf of Tirant. And in the end his love,
prowess, and great service to the empire removed the obstacle which the
difference in station had placed between them.
The _Chronica_ of Muntaner does not give us any information concerning
a love affair between Roger de Flor and the niece of the Emperor of
Constantinople. Nor are there any love scenes at all in that part of
the _Chronica_ that deals with the career of the Catalan hero.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account