Tristan- chivalric hero essays

Tristan- chivalric hero essays A true chivalric knight and a hero-in-the-making Tristan is a medieval tragic hero. Even his name attests to this. In Celtic, it means sorrow, tumult, outcry. It was given to him because of the loss of his mother at birth. From the time of his tragic birth, his life is full of challenges. In his youth, he is hidden from Duke Morgans wrath, raised by a loyal guardian Rivalen. From the age of seven, Tristan is put under rigorous training in the arts of barony, and grows into a young knight, full of strength, valor, and devotedness. He first shows his valor by embracing his filial duty by killing Duke Morgan, regaining his fathers lands, and placing them in the hands of his guardian, Rivalen. Upon his return to Cornwall he faces Morholt in combat, illustrating his compassion to weakness, his fearlessness of death in the name of honor, and his full loyalty to his Lord, King Mark. He further displays his loyalty when he embarks on the quest into enemy territory to find the lady with the golden hair. He engages a dragon in battle, kills him with heroic strength, and brings Iseult the Fair, all throughout serving his Lord faithfully at the cost of his own life. Tristan is a chivalric knight, and his loyalty lies not only with his Lord but also with his Lady. And it is from this point that the temptations and failings of the hero-in-the-making come to light. The moment he drinks the love potion with Iseult the Fair, his loyalty to his lord and to his lady are in conflict. His lady is his lords wife, and serving both equally and honorably is impossible. In the end, his ultimate loyalty is to his lady, and with respect to courtly love, he shows all the heroic characteristics of a chivalric knight. He serves her with respect and dedication. He undertakes various valorous deeds for her, and saves her from dangers, always placing her welfare above his own. In the end, he keeps him ...