![]() ![]() Read moreīefore Romeo and Juliet, and Lancelot and Guenevere, there were Tristan and Iseult.Tristan and Iseult's story is one of honor, betrayal, jealousy, forbidden love, potions, Kings, Queens, etc. If you’re looking for a classic medieval tale, this one’s for you. There are moments that are far from PG, such as Iseult’s loyal maid pretending to be her and slipping into the King’s bed to sacrifice her ‘purity’ to him, in order to conceal Iseult having lost hers to Tristan, as well as Iseult being turned over to a mob of lepers who want to “have her in common”, but in general the story is told with great restraint, despite a plot containing such passion and violence. How well he describes everyone seeing the “Love terrible, that rode them”, as they simply can’t be apart. What a beautiful image Tristan conjures of a crystal chamber, between the clouds and heaven, filled with roses and the morning, where he would like to take Iseult. Bédier’s language is enchanting, and adds to his storytelling. Tristan is bearing Iseult across the sea to wed his King, when the two inadvertently drink a love potion that binds them forever, and leads them into adultery. ![]() The tale is of the brave young knight Tristan, and the fair lady with the ‘hair of gold’ Iseult, and it’s complete with honor and romance, battles with dragons, magic philters, court intrigues, and daring escapes. ![]() What a fantastic thing Joseph Bédier did here, reconstructing this story in 1900 from ancient French poems and other sources. ![]()
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