Erec and Enide / Chrétien de Troyes ; translated by Ruth Harwood Cline.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Chrétien, de Troyes, active 12th century.

Contributor:

Cline, Ruth Harwood.

Standardized Title:

Érec et Énide. English

Language:

English

French, Old (ca. 842-1300)

Subjects (All):

Erec (Legendary character)--Romances.

Erec (Legendary character).

Romances--Translations into English.

Romances.

Knights and knighthood--Romances.

Knights and knighthood.

Arthurian romances.

Genre:

Romances.

Physical Description:

xxv, 225 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Athens : University of Georgia Press, 2000.

Summary:

Erec and Enide marks the birth of the Arthurian romance as a literary genre. Written circa 1170, this version of the Griselda legend tells the story of the marriage of Erec, a handsome and courageous Welsh prince and knight of the Round Table, and Enide, an impoverished noblewoman. When the lovers become estranged because Erec neglects his knightly obligations, they subsequently ride off together on a series of adventures that culminate in their reconciliation and the liberation of a captive knight in an enchanted orchard.

An innovative poet working during a time of great literary creativity, Chretien de Troyes wrote poems that had a lively pace, skillful structure, and vivid descriptive detail. Ruth Harwood Cline recreates for modern audiences his irony, humor, and charm, while retaining the style and substance of the original octosyllabic couplets. Her thorough introduction includes discussions of courtly love and the Arthurian legend in history and literature, as well as a new and provocative theory about the identity of Chretien de Troyes. This clearly presented translation, faithful in preserving the subtle expressive qualities of the original work, is accessible reading for any Arthurian legend afficionado and an ideal text for students of medieval literature.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

082032146X

0820321419

OCLC:

41224139