You know how you can love old writing and dislike it at the same time? I'm talking about that contrast between "Ooh, it's good because it's a classic" and "Why would you ever write a sentence like that?"
Arthurian legend in Thomas Malory is like that. 'And' sometimes means 'if', 'or' means 'before', and 'maugre' means 'notwithstanding'. 'Passing' is sometimes an adverb meaning 'very', oddly enough. The syntax takes some getting used to, even if you've been broken in to inversion by the Anglo-Genevan Psalter.
Chretien de Troyes is odd too, if you use the English translated version. Somehow the niceties of twelfth century medieval French poetry have failed to make it into English prose. Take this example from the Penguin Classics edition: "The fact that his lady had been consoled, and this was the news that the lady brought him, made him suddenly very happy. The king himself was happy about it; he had been very joyful before, but now his joy was even greater." The way it's put, I just can't help being skeptical about this supremely happy king's happiness.
On the other hand, the plots are fascinating once you start understanding the cultural context. Though they are sometimes hilariously implausible (In Malory for example, Sir Tristram, the famous french flower of chivalry and knightly pwnage, poses as Sir Tramtrist when he wants to hide his true identity. Obviously, he was a master of the subtle art of disguise.) they almost always provide interesting insights into human nature and the culture of the time.
There's a great scene in Chretien's Lancelot story where Lancelot and Gawain are at the window in a castle. The window has a nice view of the nearby meadow, and it so happens that Queen Guenevere passes right by. Lancelot is immediately infatuated at the sight of her. At this point, Gawain barely knows Lancelot, so he's completely unprepared for Lancelot's abrupt decision to defenestrate himself. The queen had kept right on passing till she was out of our hero's line of vision, you see, and this was very upsetting to him.
Nevertheless, Gawain's years of experience with saving those in distress serve him well. Lancelot is only half way out of the window before Gawain hauls him back inside. I think he then says something to the effect of, "Are you mad? Don't ever do that again." Probably an understandable reaction.
Anyway, the image of Gawain grabbing Lancelot (who would have been struggling mightily to dash himself to pieces) bodily around the waist and dragging him back inside is uproariously funny to me. The melodramatics are wonderful. Arthurian lit in general is just so good. Read it if you get the chance!
Excellent use of labels. And of the defenestration mental image.
ReplyDeleteI must say, though, that I absolutely abhor the argument "It's good because it's a classic."
Haha, yes! I was going to blog about this class too, seeing as I've been extremely negligent.
ReplyDelete"The famous french flower of chivalry and knightly pwnage"
...total alliterational and juxtapositional win. I applaud you ;)
Also, the outlandish language is part of what makes Arthurian lit so entertaining. What makes it easier to read, also, is how important elements of plot are often restated numerous times, so if you missed something the first time, you'll catch it later.
ReplyDeleteOne more thought. It troubles me that spell check doesn't allow you to "adjectify" the words juxtaposition and alliteration, or "verbify" adjective for that matter. Spell check fail, or English language fail, or I've-totally-butchered-the-adjective-and-verb-forms-of-those-words-fail?
ReplyDelete@ Heidi: It's true, it's a completely invalid argument. I freely admit to invoking it though. Outrageous rhetoric for the win!
ReplyDelete@ Brian: Thanks! Maybe I should randomly slip it somewhere in the final paper...
I would attribute the failings you've identified to spell check alone. I heartily endorse inventing new words (else how would one ever beat Heidi at hang man?)
Speaking of hang man... I believe it's been far too long. (Although, what with all this talk of inventing words, perhaps I would be at a distinct disadvantage.)
ReplyDeleteBrian, I'll save the long lecture of linguistics I could spout off on verbifying and adjectifying things. Haha.