Indian Jones

This was a great film first of all. Secondly, I did like how Spielberg opened up with a young indy, and he did this for many reasons. He did this to show that the grail is a life long quest, that begins at a young age. Indy is in the boy scouts when his initial quest first begins. This is a good way of showing how the quest can take a lifetime. He also did this to give the viewers a chance to get to know Indy. He is a tough little guy with complete hope and desire for the good. This shows that he may be a knight, metaphorically speaking, who is entitled to the grail. He is out for the good, knowing the thing should be in a museum. This is a selfless act and we begin to know his character early. Also, the grail scene at the end. First, he is the only one able to get through first, the right way. He is a pure person. Not entirely, but the purest, best hearted, not pure like a virgin. He gets through and is able to guess the right grail because it is not for his own good. He loves his father, and much like Harry Potter got the stone for the betterment of everyone and not himself, Indy is able to retreave the grail to help is father. However, it is lost at the end. Indy only gets to use it to help his father. This again signifies that grail quests for forever. It is strategically not destroyed, but lost. Some how, some way, someone else could get it. But only the pure at heart etc etc.

Persse

1)Is Persse's grail ever finally achieved?
No I do not believe that it actually is. He thought that he was in love, when in reality he was in love with the thought of being in love, which we have seen in other works. Basically he lost his virginity and was willing to give it up because he thought he was doing it for love. He wasn't, so he never really met his goal. The sex was to basically land mark the love that he thought he shared with Angelica, but since it was with her sister, their was no actual love involved. Just sex. Lily then goes on to prove to him that he was not actually in love. He couldn't tell the difference between the two sisters, which means that he was never actually in love-soul connecting, deep rooted-love. His grail quest failed because he reached the wrong goal. Sure sex and what not but no love.

Small World: Day 3

1)Again, what is the emphisis on sex?
In this section of the book, one character has sex with his married secretary. Again this is showing how not all knights, metaphorically speaking, are just or good. He is doing this to get his own needs met and his own wants. Nowhere in chivarly is there room for a knight who is constantly having sex with married women. Also, the women is obviously not a very good person because she is ok with cheating on her husband. Obviously neither of these people are worthy of getting any grail or anything that they are working for, based on their morals.
2) What does the end of this section show us?
At the end of this section, phil does not tell his wife about his big news. I wonder why this is, and what significance it has. She is obviously excited about her new prospective job, but is he also? Probably not. He had big news and obviously is a bit upset that she was not more impressed and interested in his stuff. What does this have to do with chivalry? while caring for her, he does not worry about his own needs. Does this make him good? or simply moody?

Small World Day II

1)What is the reasoning for the emphasis on sex?
There are two particular parts in this book that emphasize sex. The one section involves one of the woman not being able to sleep. She then talks about using his vibrator, which seems out of the ordinary for the text and it was not something I saw coming. She also makes jokes about how the battery would die before she finshed, just like a man. She writes this down in her journal. Next, another man wants to join the mile high club. This is more like a party joke then anything else, but he really wants to. I wonder what all of this has to do with the book. What it means? Is sexual pleasure part of this journey?
2) What is it with time zones?
The second part of this book begins with people throughout different time zones. This is very much related to a journey. People have different travels, at different times in the world. but in reality, they might be having similar experiences at different places. In life, it doesn't actually matter what the time is, but what the experience is. Lodge is insinuating this a little.

Perceval: Day 3

2) Weeping is simply part of Perceval's repentence. He is very upset when he previously hears that his mother has passed away, and now he is even more upset because he realizes that her death was his own fault. He truly did care about his mother, yet was so caught up in his own self that he did not look out for her. Now, while he has time to ponder about her on his long journey, he realizes that he truly did care and that he wishes he could have prevented her death. Also he is constantly meeting new family members, people who loved his mother for how great of a person she was; this is disconcerning to him and he is quite upset about it. He is "looking in the mirror" and realizes that he was selfish and that he must repent for causing his mothers death. The weeping is his first true sign of caring.
5) The unfinished romance is trully quite annoying, yet may be one of the greatest tricks that Chritien ever pulled. In the begining he talks about how this is going to be his greatest romance yet, that he is highly accomplished, knows what he is doing, does it well, etc. Possibly, he meant to leave it like that because it creates millions of different possbile endings that people who read the text create. He accomplished people still reading and writing about his novel thousands of years later. Perhaps he did it on purpose to make sure that this one, his best and possibly his favorite, never died out. It is also his most popular, so I believe he knew exactly what he was doing.

Perceval Day 2

1)obviously this name signifies that this woman is pure at heart. White is a colored used to signify pure, virginity and sometimes even holiness. Her name is basically telling the reader that she is a good person, and she represents the true goodness still left in the world. Also, since it has to do with a flower, this could also elude to her virginity, having not been de-flowered or anything like this. She sleeps with Perceval and trusts him while she is sneeking into his bed. She is also weeping because she truly cares for his well being. Like in yvain, we see a damsel weeping over the one she loves because she is either scared of what is to come (foreshawdoing) or because she does not want to lose him.
2)Perceval is basically an onlooker in this procession, and is very unhelpful to the reader. One would assume that he would ask who the grail, which is glowing, showing noble, wisdom or magic...was being served to. He fails to bring light to a situation that is just steaming with mystery. Also, it is not every day that one sees a pure white lance bleeding. What does this mean? Possibly innocent blood spilt? Either way, Perceval should have asked what all this meant; not asking simply leads the reader to guess.

Percival Day I

1)He is leading us towards the Grail quest obviously. But a good natured one. He talks about how one should be a good person and charitable simply for the sake of being charitable and not because people will know about it. He tells you not to tell your left hand what your right hand is doing, and basically to do good deeds but not to boast about them. He wants people to watch him create this magical masterpiece. Again he is cocky and completely thrilled with his writing abilities.

2)This first scene is kind of like a funny scene. Percival is obviously a naive and unlearned human being. He has never heard of a knight and has no idea what any of the weapons that the knight is carrying are. However, he is very interested. He wants to know everything he can about the knights and their weapons. They are on a mission, yet they are nice and noble enough to answer his questions. They do look out for him a little bit, and they kind of think it is funny that he is so stupid. He is awed by them, they are kind of annoyed by him. This is obviously conflicting and Chretien does this to give the sense that Percival is on a quest and that he wants to be a knight.
3)This is an argument between a mother who thinks she knows what is best for her son, and a determined male. More often than not, the son is going to do what he thinks is right. Basically, she tries to tell him how his two older brothers died and were knights, and that he should do well to not become a knight because he will meet the same ending eventually. She also tells him to kiss women when he sees them and take their rings. I don't quite understand this because it seems to get him into trouble right off the bat.

Obscure Object

1) The title of the movie, The Obscure Object of Desire is a difficult title to seperate in to meaning. The obscure object is sex. Throughout the movie, Matt is driven by the great desire to have Conchitta, to have sex with her and to simply physically posses her. He pretty much does anything for her and for her family. He gives them loads and loads of money and buys her a house and treats them with the greatest compassion. He is patient and just tries to remember that he really really wants to have sex with her. This is kind of obscure only because it is so powerful and it is something that he can not get out of his mind. Nothing else really will do that to a person.
3) The director probably uses two actresses for a few different reasons. However, if I remember correctly, one of the actress was the one that was nude, the other one did the dialouge scenes. Perhaps theses actresses are just both good at different things. Dancing for instance, was a neccessity for one of the characters. It could have been simply a logical, movie making decision.
6) There is deffinelty some themes of Celestina floating throughout this movie. For instance, the love versus lust factor. Matt does not actually love her, yet he is in love her with her body and her sex. He wants her in the physical sense, not the emotional sense. She knows this and uses it very well. She also pretends that she does not want him in any way through her dialouge, but it is apparent through her actions that she does want him. These are tell tale Celestina trademarks. Lastly, we see that there is some sewing in the film, which is a big part of Celestina. It is symbology, sewing up the virgin, etc etc.

Celestina-Last Day

1) The fact that they meet in the dead of night is very important. These "lovers" are keeping there love a secret which tells you that it is not accepted by society. They meet in the dead of night, signifying that it may not be ture love. People who are in love always talk about screaming it off the moutain top and telling everyone about it. However, these people, who are in a false love, keep it concealed from everyone. This is much more of a love for sex and desire than an actual love for another person. There more "star struck" or in awe of images of eachother. They just love the thought of the beauty and magnificent being of the other in the dark night, with stars shining. It sets a nice mood.
2)Melibea actually loves Calisto. Calisto does not love her but loves having sex with her. However, Melbea may really be in love with him. She kills herself after he is dead, and she is so young it is not that she is simply miserable. She either is love or thinks she is in love with Calisto. Either way, Calisto did not love her, he would not have killed himself. And no one really loves in this book. The prostitutes don't thats for sure. Maybe Pleberio's loved his daughter. He speaks of death when she kills herself. He honestly did care, but a fatherly love is different than being in love, No one was in love in this book.
6) Obviously there is some wrong going on here. Melibea is not allowed to show how she truly feels because of the patriachial society that she is living in. She loves sex and is totally incompassed by this as any human being would be. However, she finally gives in to her sexual urges, meaning that she realizes her matriachal, impowering role actually. She is torn between these two worlds, and eventually it leads to her suicide.

The Celestina-Day 4

Calisto's long speech does not reflect the predicted happiness. He is actually a complete mess and all over the place. At first he is mad at himself. He feels shameful that he succumbed to such desires and feels stupid that he has risked his whole reputation on the love of a mistress. He is madd that he risked everything, and know that he has come down from his high, he is seeing clearly how stupid his "love" was. Then, after going through that, and arguing in his own head, he realizes that he really did enjoy himself. And that he plans on going back, even if it seems supid. He realizes that she really does like him and that he can't wait to go back and see her, as long as no one finds out. The risk is worth the reward to him.
"did anyone ever do so well for himself?"- This is a quote said by Parmeno and I think it is really important because it basically sums up this book. All of the characters in this book really only look out for themselves and they are all completely consumed by greed. From Celestina to Calisto, these characters simply trick eachother, or attempt to decieve eachother in order to get what they happen to want at the time. No character really steps outside of this greed, so this quote sums up these characters in a few short words.

Celestina Day 3

1)Celestina may or may not like women. Obviously she touches A. inapproprietly although she does not think it is inappropriete. She is also very open about it. This may mean that she is bi-sexual because being an old prostitute, she clearly liked men at one point. Also we see that she is very powerful with the art of persuasion and language. Celestina is very good at talking to her and getting her to do what she wants. Lastly, we see her solution to sickness, and her solution to apparently everything; sex. She loves sex, her life is sex and that is what is normally on her mind.
4) The chain is the last payment that Celestina is given. The small chain can symbolize a few different things. A chain is normally linked to something like a bond. Giving this chain away to Celestina could almost be a bond between them that can not break. A chain is supposed to be something very strong and lasting. Also that chain is a status symbold. It is a very nice gift, and since it is whole, and unbreaking, she clearly does not intend to share it with her two partners in this story. She is greedy and keeping it for herself. Her desire and greed is symbolized by a chain because it cannot be split up. Maybe this chain will lead to her death?

Celestina Day 1:

2) The conversation is almost somewhat amusing. The master claims to be sick, and seems physically, emotionally, and mentally wounded. He is of course love sick. This is one of the worst kinds of sickness because in this case, the woman he loves does not care for him; in fact she kind of hates him. He feels ill, hates life, doesn't want to get up. These are all true feelings one may have. Women can quite literally tear out your heart, and that is what he is going through. Semprino is disgusted by women. He talks about how they all seem to be crazy. ( my word not his). They through themselves at you, suck you in, then make fun of you and act cruelly( his interpretation) He feels that men should be above this and should not let themselves be sucked in. Much easier to say than to do.
4) Celestina is a very hard woman to describe. Parmeno goes in to great long speeches trying to capture her. Basically, she is a very old, very "wise" woman who has been around the block more times than anyone else. She has hundreds of cover stories, but basically, the whole town knows she is a Whore and runs a whore house. She still goes to church etc. etc. but the whole town uses her. Almost as if they all know what she is doing and that is is not actually good, but they use the excuses and play it off like it is no big deal. She is wealthy, as far as i can tell, and is wise because she has been around people so often, and for so long. She understands what people want and need and understands how to work people and gain riches etc. She knows which end is up and isn't afraid to use her knowledge and her traits to prosper.

Celestina Day 1:

Decameron-Day 9

9.2
This is another story of pure blashpemy. First of all, both women in this story are nuns and took a vow of celebacy. They are both committing sins, yet they feel that if no one else finds out about their sins, then they do not matter. This of course is false and it is actually disgraceful. They treat the church and the roles that they play as jokes; how can they possibly lead anyone into salvation or better decision making if they have no self restraint. It shows that religion as a whole is pretty much a game to these women and they don't actually care. It's embarassing to count your self among the religious in this sense. And yes, sin is all relative. The abessy was going to kill her nun, until she was caught. At this point they both simply brushed off the sin and it was no big deal.
9.6
The wife is very clever in this tale. She quickly realizes that the entire situation is messed up, that she has commited a fault, and that the only way to get out of the entire situation quickly is to use language and deception. She tricks her husband, gains the man she is sleeping with as a quick ally, and is able to get out of the situation with no one hurt or in trouble. It is her quick reactions, that leads everyone out of trouble. Her human nature is to solve the problems; it is mostly a big misunderstading and she realizes that; she covers it all up. small white lies.

Decameron

What can be said of men of the cloth and trickery?
Obviously, this has no meaning. The men of the cloth, friars, priests etc. and the women, nuns and such, do not care. They sin and sin and sin and act as though God is not gonna realize that they are sinning, and that he will simply forgive them when they ask. As if he doen'st know that they made this plan and that they are full willingly sinning. This is stupid, it is saying that the fact that these men are part of something spirtual is unimportant. Also, by using the cloth as an excuse, the friar easily avoids trouble, and can manipulate situationts. This is disgusting.
Trickery or the Truth?
It is bad enough that these men deceive eachother, but the fact of the matter is that they could have told the truth. They are both obviously bi-sexual and are into open relationships, so if neither had originally lied, if they had both told the truth, than they would never had to trick. However, by deceiving the women, who do not need much convincing, they both lead into hurting eachother. In the end they are both ok with it but the fact of the matter is they could have destroyed their friendship.

Decameron Day 4

5.8)What is there to say about learning from somoeone elses lessons?
This is a very good thing. Obviously in this story, a mean woman learns to love a man who loves her because she views a different woman, in the same situation, being viscously killed. She in turns falls in love so that she won't meet this same fate. I think this is a good lesson. If you can't learn from others, how else will you learn? It is imperitive to learn from others mistakes because in this way you will be a better and smarter person. In this way, she escapes a fate that is clearly in her future. Also the man in this text is smart to show her this. He loves her, for what ever reason, and once she decides to stop being so cold hearted and learns that a horrible hellish death awaits her, she loves him too.
6.7) How do you feel about this trial?
This trial, although not perfect makes some sense. Although she was adulterous and did deserve to be punished, she is right to expect that the standards should be the same for both parties. Men and women should be treated equal and she realizes this; by pointing this out to all the other people of the town, they realize that she is right, and that she shouldn't be punished. This is supportive, and shows that even people of this time cared about equal rights for men and women.

Decameron Day 3

3.3) The maiden is very smart in this story. By outsmarting the friar, she is able to seem innocent, yet get exactly what she wants and needs out of him. She pretends to be giving confession, when really she is just secretly giving instructions to the man of her heart. This tells us that the Friar is much more obedient to the woman. She tells a blatant lie, yet the priest believes her instead of the man who is telling the truth. This shows that the friar is either stupid, or easily persuaded by a beautiful woman, either way this is not a good thing.
3.6) Riccardio uses the very very reactive and powerful emotion of jealousy. He makes it seem that his lover's husband is cheating on her, when if fact he is actually tricking her in to cheating. This is strategic yet very messed up in the same instance. However, he does bully her which is even more despicable. He knows that she can't do anything about it, and he uses his political and physical power to keep her from talking. This is slightly disgusting.
4.9) The king telling us this story shows us how treachery is the biggest form of disrespect. He may even be the king in the story? Either way, the king in the story was not regretful, only that his wife killed himself. He hated the other man for cheating. There is no bigger sign of disrespect, and no move more sinful then taking your best friends girl. It is entirely disgraceful

Decameron-Day 2

2.6) This story has a great deal to say about humanity. Since the woman's sons and husband were taken from her she can basically not survive on her own. Instead of making something successful or even attempting to go back to normal society, she stays in a cave and lives among the deer as part of their family. She is too dependent on the male figures. Also, once her son, who is imprisoned for making love outside or marriage drops his name, he is instantly granted freedom. The King's own daughter was in jail, but the fact that the man was noble made it ok, as long as he could prove his nobility.
3.1) In this story, a very smart man goes to live amongst nuns, pretending to be dumb and deaf. He actually outsmarts them, because he knows that if he plays along with them, and if he learns their secrets, that they will pretty much do anything he wants, and that he controls them. they cannot afford a scandal, and since he realizes that, he benefits not only from sex, but also from the substantial amounts of money he gains by having all of their secrets in tow. He has all of the power of these woman, who cannot control their sexual urges, and he knows this. This muteness is like a fly on the wall; he is very dangerous.

Decameron - Part I

1.1 "Which were taken by the people of the countryside as absolute truth"...this line refering to the words that the monk spoke of Ciappelletto. This was a very important quote and stuck out because it seems so crazy to me. The people in this story were all so gullable. Ciap. was one of the world's worst sinners. He drank, and gambled and had lots of sex etc. yet was pretty much relieved of all of this with a 15 minute conversation. Whether or not he will be accpeted by God, which we can assume will not happen, he is accepted by all of the people on earth, and even brought in to Saint hood, which is of the highest honor. He is a very smooth talker, and his excellent tounge left him a very impressive memory.
1.3"...and to follow the true commandments, but whoever is right, just as in the case of the rings, is still undecided"...This quote is talking about three main religions in the 14th century. Judaism, Christianity, and Saracen, concerning which is the true path. This is an excellent quote, because although a jew says it, he is smart enough to realize that he does not know the whole truth, and he can not even be sure that his religion is the whole truth. The theme within this tale would be 'do to the fullest'. We can not be sure of anything, but we must do whatever it is that we do, to the fullest, and accept any of the challenges or ideas that go with it. Also, this quote is a way of talking out of a snare trap set by another man. In reality, the man should have simply asked for the money that he needed, instead of trying to swindle it from him.
2.3 "Holy Father, as you know better than all others"...This quote just stuck out to me. It is not a full and meaningful quote, yet it is one that must be looked at closer. The Holy Father, or Pope, knows better than all others. This tells us, that the Pope can pretty much do no wrong. He is almost above and beyond all laws and ideas. This is a good thing for him, yet slightly scary for the others, because as we read other stories, we see that all of The Clergy tend to be less holy than expected. This man is in a position of great power in those days, and it is evident by this quotation.

Movie

1) This movie begins with a fierce battle scene, where the Irish kill many people and also Tristin's father. This was done for many reasons. First of all, this is an entertainment movie. To get people to sit and stay in the seats, you need to open up with something that will either scare them, thrill them, or impress them. A battle scene is good at accomplishing all of these things. Secondly, apart from the text saying that King Mark was threatened by the Irish it does not tell why. In this film, the presedence is set; The Irish are evil and killed and attacked. This also makes the viewer expect violence and good scenes full action. This allows the book to appeal to more people, because it is not simply a love story. This is good for entertainment and money.
7)Ultimatelly this film is not soley about the two lovers. Although they are a big plot line in the film, the movie focuses on all of the relationships. The movie maintains a close look on mark and Tristin, on Tristin and Isolde, and on the Barons on everyone, equally. Being a film, they can have quick dialouge and facial expressions etc. that are not available in the book, to keep many compley relationships on lock. Also, this allows for more action scences, such as the battles and tournaments. This will gain a stronger following of viewers, and will make more money. Although this is a movie about star crossed lovers, the movie would not have sold as highly, and would not have been succesful without a focus on many ideas, instead of just the two lovers.

The Knight With The Lion: Final

1) This new name is very important. He is no longer Yvain. He is now the Knight with the Lion. He is now the Knight with the courage. The Knight with the Pride, Passion, Honor, and Compassion. This is a very good thing. He is no longer the Knight who went off to foreign lands to fight and go to tournaments and live the good life. He is now the Knight that cares about his wife, and the one who is very chivalrous and manly. He has grown up and is now less immature and less childish. He not only literally has a lion, but actually has a lion inside his heart that makes him a better person.
3) This is a reconcilliation of trickery, but it matters all the same. Laudine is tricked in to loving him again, and although this doesn't necessarily make sense to most people, Laudine can't possibly break this oath because she has to prove that she is a better person than her husband; if she goes back on this she is in fact hypocritical and no better than him. She promises to love the knight who can stop the crazy storms and horrible weather that is going on in her kingdom. Turns out that this knight is her former husband. However forced or unnatural this seems, it is indeed real. They are together. Happily ever after, or something

Knight with the Lion II

1)Gawain. Gawain is a man's man, and has similar characteristics to a frat brother. He is honorable and trustworthy and a good friend to Yvain. However, he pressures his buddy in to leaving, and coming off on an adventur'softe with him. He tells him, basically, not to be soft just because he has a wife. He is using the "soft" comment that friends forever have used on their buddies. He tells him that if he does not come out and have a good time with the boys, than he is not really a man. Basically, he tells his buddy to get the leash off from around his neck, because now that he has a wife, he must be tied down. He must not let the fact that he has a wife keep him from going out with the boys. This, as we read, turns out to be a very bad thing. He goes off, and strays away from his wife for to long, and ends up losing her for good. This is a classic stupid mistake made by men in movies and sitcoms. Their pride gets in the way of their perfect marriage, and they end up losing it all.
4)The lion. This is where we get the Knight with the Lion title that is given, or actually self-proclaimed by Yvain. This is his best friend, his companion, his bright spot in life, and the thing he cares most deeply for that travels with him. The Lion, obviously, symbolizes pride and courage. With this he is able to fight, he is able to think, he is able to do battle with anything that comes his way. He is no longer scared, but is a honorable, determined knight, and takes the necessary steps to get his wife back, or at least try to. With his lion, he can fight giants, and three knights at a time and accomplish his nobel goals. This is, in physical form, his pride, honor, and courage. It is a living form of his heart.

King and The Lion Part I

1) The lack of a formal prologue is quite important in this case. It means that either Chrietien is playing games, and pretending he does not actually know the out come of the story, meaning that as the author he does not want to forshadow or given even the slightest clues about what may or may not happen in the text; or that our King might not have a fully passionate love. Normally the prologue would tell the reader about the tragedy that is about to unfold, about the love between two people nad how great it is. With out one, the reader could guess at the fact that maybe our King will have many loves, none of them being as spectacular or long lasting as Erec and Enide's. Maybe he will just contiune through the book, searching yet never finding his true love. Maybe he will never fully be inprisoned, as the text so admiringly refers to love as.
2) Calogrenants story is indeed an odd one. It was placed in this book so that the knights would have a worthy quest to go on. It is actually a very odd story because parts of it make no sense. By accidentally following this little path, he is able to see a hideous bird. I wonder what is the significance of this horrifyingly ugly creature. Also, by pouring water from a spring on to a rock, he is able to produe a very horrible storm, and surviving it makes him valiant. I do not quite understand this, although the fact that he can beat out nature, surviving the storm, may be a good reason to make him a nobel knight. But what does he really win? other than being heroic?

90-122

1) We finally hear the Enide has passed Erec's test that he has set out for her. This is both good, and somewhat expected. This journey, aside from proving to himself that he is still the best, was about testing Enide's love for him. He wanted to make sure that the woman he married, the woman that he loves more than anything else in the world, feels the same way a about him. He wants to make sure that no matter what, on pain of death, she will never stop loving him. She passes this test in man ways. First, she attempts a suicide when she thinks her lover is dead. Next, she refuses to marry the man who demands that of her. She proves her love because even after she thinks he is dead, she still loves him. She even follows him, or his apparent ghost as she thinks, because she is so in love.
4) These descriptions are very important to the text and the way the author writes. They are basically used to show what a talented writer Chrieten is, but also he uses his skill and power as a tool. He wants to show everyone just how lavishing and important these people are. They have to biggest and best things in the whole country, and while that doesn't necessarily make them good or right people, it does make them very rich, and that is very important to the characters in this text. Also, it is the fact that while the love of our two main characters progresses, so does the nice material goods; so does the rejoicing, loving, kissing. All of this extravagent language is used to enhance not only the writing itself, but the lives of our characters. They are important people, and Chretien honors them with great writing ability.

60-90

1) Enide's character clearly emerges in this part of the text. She is becoming a main character, not just a role player. She has thoughts, ideas, etc. that the reader is treated to. She finally gets her name because she is to be wed, so many people will have to speak her name. We find her to be a great love of Erec, but much more than that. She is a woman who is clearly wise, and one who recognizes the social dilemma that she has put her lord in. She realizes that he does not go to fight, or to tournaments any more because of her and this upsets her. She wants him to fight because he used to be the best of the best, and now he does not even compete. By catching a glimpse into these feelings, we see that she is a smart woman. She is also bold enough to speak about it, whether or not it is actually her fault is debatable. We also see how grateful she is about becoming a queen. Later in the text, we also see her love for him. In disrespecting him, and calling out to him even after she has been warned not to many times, we see that she loves him. She can not stand to see him hurt, and would much rather take the punishment than not warn him about the on coming knights that he must fight.

3) Erec wants to show Enide who he really is. She is distraught, and upset and Erec wants to show her there is no need to be this way. That is his first concern. By going out, never stopping, killing, and defeating all of those other knights, he proves that he is still the best knight in all the land. No one can defeat him. He does not pick his path, rather lets her lead, as bait, and defeats all that come his way. His second task is to test her love. As long as she is to scared to see him get hurt, he knows she truly loves him. Also, he allows the count to speak with her, testing to see, if necessary, that she will stand by him. She does. He knows that she loves him and that he can truly love her.

37-60

2) The first scene in King Arthur's court can be viewed as basically an elaborate festival. Many rich, powerful, brave, strong men are hanging out, probably drinking and eating there full because they are rich and noble. They are probably all flexing their manly man muscles because they all think they are tough knights. The author tells us that there was never a court so beautiful. Also, he describes all of the women as fair, and beautiful, but it is evident that they are mostly show pieces. Judging by the limited amounts of reading that I have done in this book, woman are nothing more than trophies or pocessions to any of these men. They are there simply to look beautiful. The winner of the big hunt, (which again is showing the men as manly, strong, men who hunt and kill) gets a kiss from the most beautiful woman in court. None of the women are allowed to object and the thought that one of them would have there own opinion about the matter is absurd. They are trophies, and when the big strong men come back, they will all be waiting, pretty and perfect to be stared at. This court is high society and this is simply how people act; they obey the king, and follow his rules to the best of their abilities.

5)When the Queen dresses Enide, this is a symbolic part of the book. This, while she sheds her peasant white dress, and puts on the beautiful, colored, royal clothes, is her acceptance in to this new world. She is now one of them. One of the elite, in elaborate dresses, soon to be attending balls and living the life of a queen. She now must be prim, proper, and always at her best. This is an investment. Erec is now infatuated with this woman. He has taken a pretty beautiful woman, and dressed her up, successfully turning her into a trophy wife that he can stare at, show off, and be prouf of. Although I am sure she is an intelligent woman, that no longer matters. Erec sees her as a possesion, one that he has won and has every right to dress up. She is his newest trophy, and he could not be more pleased about it.

Final

1) Yesult is smarter than anyone else in this case. She has an unreal ability to manipulate people and situations with her smart mouth. Her forked-tounge, again, got her out of a very tricky situation. She claims that she has only had two men between her thighs, which is one hundred percent true. However, by riding the leper (Tristan) into the trial proceedings, she makes it clear to everyone that this is who she is referring to, and it is almost a joke; she says that no other man has been between her thighs, when in reality, both men have been between her thighs in a sexual manner. She is able to trick everyone. She is not actually lying though, but is tricking as bad as lying? By manipulating the situation, by implying something other than the truth, does that make her as bad as a lier? In her words she is not lying, technically, but she is knowingly misinforming everyone. This is both dangerous, and dishonest, and I feel that it is as bad as lying. Her oath means nothing. She mine as well have lied.
2)I am very troubled by the vengence that Tristan. Murder is never justified, not even in the name of love. These barons, although decietful, nosy, and annoying, did not unjustly accuse Tristan and Yesult. They did not deserve to die. They could have been harmed, they could have been banished, but death is not necessary. Is love worth it? If you have to kill to keep it alive? It is one matter for no one to understand, appreciate, or condone your love; that does not matter on any level, as long as you and your lover have each other. However, i don't believe any love is strong enough to commit double homocide. Maybe I haven't been in a love strong enough, but to kill innocent men for no reason other than the fact that they have disrupted your relationship, seems not only harsh, but serial.

7-13

Tristin and Yseut's stay in the woods was very taxing on both of them. Without a supply of bread, they are forced to eat game: dear, rabbit, or any other type of animal that they can find. They eat and sleep in the woods, obviously, and live in a home made from branches and leaves. They sleep together, on a bed of leaves, and throughout all of this, they are still in love. They cannot show their faces in public, and are restricted to speaking only with each other and Governal. They are as good as lepers, because they are on the run for their lives; however they still love. This is an amazing fact. Although the love potion is apparently to blame, this is what pure love really should be. No matter where, or when, love is love is love. They love each other so deeply that this rough realm does not even lead to frustration or anger on either of their parts. Even though the queen should live in a beautiful castle with silk dresses etc. she is loving her life because she is so madly in love with Tristin. The author is trying to portray what true love, to the fullest extent is. There is no money or wealth or materialistic goods to distract or make them happy. Tristin and Yesult are simply in love, and couldn't be happier.

The love potion does indeed wear off after three years, and the initial reaction of Tristin and Yesult is at first, very appropriate. They both feel terrible and repent for their ways. They want to make good with King Mark and feel almost silly about how they have acted. They also both feel pity for the other one. Tristin is upset that he has taken Yesult out of her beautiful home where she is wealthy and loved. Yesult feels awful that this honorable knight is no longer at court. However, as the dialogue moves on, the love that they still have for one another is still quite clear. They both give each other gifts of great importance to themselves, and both make promises to each other that they would not make, if they did not love. Tristin promises to stick around to make sure that the queen is treated as she should be, and is willing to come rescue her if life in the castle is some how different, or at all more hostile than she anticipates. Yesult promises to go to Tristin if he ever calls or asks for her help, no matter what or where it is. They clearly still love each other, even if they are claiming to be just friends. They are in love, and have fallen in love over three years, regardless of the potion. The potion was more like a catalyst than a cupid. However, over the three years, they have fallen in love and although in their heads they know the right thing to do, their hearts are probably telling them deep, deep down that they should not be seperating. Whether or not they claim to be friends for now, I predict that they will soon come to be together again.

1-6

These characters are unique relative to eachother, and are very steady in there personalities.  Tristan is always ready to be the amazing, saving knight. He is always the person who is ready to fight in the name of his love, in the name of his family, or in the name of chivalry.  He loves Yseut more than anything and would do anything for her.  Yseut is also in love with Tristan, but this may be just because of the love potion.  Although she is married to Mark, she does not love him.  This tells us that she cannot be trusted to uphold her promises and her morales are slightly slanted.  On the other hand, King Mark is someone who is easily persuaded.  At first, his men tell him that he should be curious of his nephew and wife.  He listens, based on zero evidence, yet follows through and spies on them.  He is then tricked, by them, and is persuaded to believe they are innocent, although they are not.  Finally he is persuaded into believing that they are unfaithful again.  He is too easily persuaded, a characteristic that is not good for a king.

Love. Love is the eternal question that cannot be answered.  So far in this novel, love is conjured only through magical spells/ potions.  The true love was made from a potion, and clearly love is not an important aspect of marriage, since yseut marries Mark, full well knowing that she doesn't love him.  Marriage is supposed to be based on love, yet it is not in this book.  However, true love, whether real or magically induced, still proves to be the most powerful aspect in their lives.  They cheat, kill, run away, and escape danger just to be with the love of their lives.  Love is apparently very powerful, and it seems, through the novel, that love will outlast and survive any problem, and will win out no matter what the rules are.