Erec and Enide: Analysis of Setting
"Erec and Enide" is a medieval romance that intricately weaves its narrative through various significant settings, each contributing to the story's themes and character development. The tale begins at Cardigan, King Arthur's castle, which symbolizes the grandeur and honor of his legendary reign. This location is not only a nod to Welsh heritage but also serves as the backdrop for critical events such as Erec and Enide's marriage and the commencement of a traditional white stag hunt. Another prominent setting is Edinburgh, a blend of modern and medieval elements, where a tournament takes place, culminating in Erec's victory over other knights. The wilderness also features prominently, representing the characters' challenges and the depth of their experiences. Lastly, Nantes serves as a significant port in Brittany, marking a pivotal moment when Erec and Enide are crowned king and queen on Christmas Day. Collectively, these settings enrich the narrative, providing a multifaceted exploration of themes such as tradition, identity, and the passage of time.
Erec and Enide: Analysis of Setting
First transcribed:Erec et Enide, c. 1164 (English translation, 1913)
Type of work: Poetry
Type of plot: Arthurian romance
Time of work: Sixth century
Asterisk denotes entries on real places.
Places Discussed
*Cardigan
*Cardigan. King Arthur’s castle, which not only represents the splendor and honor that is so much a part of his legendary reign and of Chrétien’s romances, but also the actual setting in Wales that exists at the present time. It signifies tradition and celebration. In addition, it is where the tale opens and the legendary white stag hunt custom is to begin. Erec and Enide are married there as well.
*Edinburgh
*Edinburgh. Another real locale in Scotland that is the perfect blend of modern and medieval aspects; it is a place of rich diversity and culture, as well as the place where the tournament is held and Erec is declared the victor of all attending knights.
Wilderness
Wilderness. This location seems deep and unknowable, just like the experiences that Erec and Enide face here.
*Nantes
*Nantes (nant). Port in Brittany, across the English Channel from Great Britain. Erec and Enide are crowned king and queen there on Christmas Day.
Bibliography
Buckbee, Edward J. “Erec et Enide.” In The Romances of Chrétien de Troyes: A Symposium, edited by Douglas Kelly. Lexington, Ky.: French Forum, 1985. Buckbee argues that Erec and Enide are a perfect couple who fit the ideal of Arthur’s elite society of knights and ladies, but he also notes that the characterization is ambiguous because Chrétien does not state their motives clearly.
Frappier, Jean. “Chrétien de Troyes.” In Arthurian Literature in the Middle Ages, edited by R. S. Loomis. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press, 1959. Provides a good overview of Chrétien’s work and deals primarily with his sources. An admirable starting point for new readers.
Loomis, Roger Sherman. Arthurian Tradition and Chrétien de Troyes. New York: Columbia University Press, 1949. Loomis shows how most episodes in Chrétien’s romances have their parallels in other Irish, Welsh, and Breton stories. Some of Loomis’ work has been questioned, but he remains an acknowledged authority in the field.
Luttrell, Claude. The Creation of the First Arthurian Romance: A Quest. Evanston, Ill.: Northwestern University Press, 1974. A study specifically of Erec and Enide, which focuses on Chrétien’s sources and the meaning as revealed by the poem’s structure. Also discusses romances that resemble Erec and Enide.
Noble, Peter S. Love and Marriage in Chrétien de Troyes. Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 1982. Examines the theme of love and marriage in all of Chrétien’s romances. Concludes that Erec and Enide is a celebration of married rather than unmarried or pre-marital “courtly love.”