Tuesday, September 15, 2009

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.

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