Analysis of the books ‘The Quest of the Holy Grail’ and ‘Perceval: The Story of the Grail’

Analysis of the books ‘The Quest of the Holy Grail’ and ‘Perceval: The Story of the Grail’

            The book “Perceval: The Story of the Grail” translated by Burton Raffel recounts and describes the experiences by Perceval in the search of mythic grail and his evolution from innocence and naivety to knighthood that occurs in his exploration and adventure. The book provides the origin and the first mention of the mysterious grail, which later turns out to be the holy grail and the central point of the pursuit by the knights of Arthur’s court. The book “The Quest of the Holy Grail” is a breakdown and description of the theories, origins and importance of the grail Legend. The book is a combination of Arthurian legend and Christian symbolism. It attempts to reinterpret the prehistoric Celtic myth as an insightful spiritual fable. The two books help understand Arthur and his Knights and evaluate the importance of chivalry and courtesy.          Arthur and the knights are represented in similar ways in the two stories The Knights are portrayed as distinguished members of society who were respected in all parts of society. In the book “The Quest of the Holy Grail,” the respect accorded to knights is seen when a young man suspected to be Lancelot’s son is knighted because Lancelot is a great knight. In the book, “Perceval: The Story of the Grail”, Perceval rises from naivety and innocence to prominence when he engages in knighthood[1]. His rise to prominence occurs because of the respect society has bestowed on knight hood. Arthur and the knights are portrayed to be inquisitive and eager to discover history and seek new knowledge. Their inquisitiveness leads to the discovery of the holy grail. In the book “The Quest of the Holy Grail,” the eagerness knight’s lead to the discovery of a great slab of marble. In the middle of the marble was a sword having inscriptions that stated that only the best knight could draw it out[2]. Though Arthur was in charge, he had to allow Lancelot who was considered the greatest to draw out the sword as inscripted. This portrays Arthur and his knights as persons who strictly abided to the set laws and had respect for each other. Arthur and the knights are portrayed as heroes in society. They defend the kingdom against its enemies. Perceval’s inquisitiveness leads him to discover the Grail Castle.

In both books, the knights were the shinning armors in society. For instance, in the book “Perceval: The Story of the Grail.” Perceval on realizing that his actions are responsible for the misfortunes been experienced in the land and the suffering by the weak members of society such as widows and orphans, he engages in a number of actions aiming to end their misfortunes and suffering[3]. This makes him a single worthy knight to the society. In the book, “The Quest of the Holy Grail,”  when Bors who was a cousin to the greatest knight in the land finds out that a certain young lady might be disinherited by her elder sister, he takes up measures to ensure the young lady gets her rightful share of inheritance. Bors confronts and defeats the elder sister’s supporter called Priadan who she had used to take land away from the young woman. This ensures that the young woman gets her fair part of inheritance. Camelot was led by King Arthur other who was assisted by a council to rule and administer the kingdom. The council was made up of King Arthur and his knights. Their excellent leadership made it the ideal kingdom.

Courtesy and chivalry play a major role in the stories. The stories involve engagements and adventures of knights as they attempt to test their levels of skill and abilities as warriors. These adventures and engagements were motivated by the chivalry views in society. Chivalry ensures that King Arthur and his knights are able to work together. This is because chivalry stressed loyalty by a knight to the King. Therefore, the knights followed and did what the Arthur told them. For instance, the young knight Galahad draws out the sword stuck in the river when he is told to by the Arthur despite the fact that the sword was inscripted that only the best knight would draw it out[4]. Though he was still new in knighthood, he had to draw it out because the king had told him to. Chivalry also makes Perceval engage in actions that would end the misfortunes and distress society was experiencing. Chivalry ensured that the young lady was not disinherited by her older sister. Chivalry views inspired Bors to challenge and defeat Priadan who the older sister was using to steal her inheritance form her younger sister.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference:

De Troyes, C. & Raffel, B. (1999). Perceval: the story of the grail New York, NY: Yale University Press

Matarasso, P. M. (1969). The quest of the Holy Grail New Haven, CT: Penguin Classics