4 thoughts on “T Feb 5: Roman de Silence”

1. That’s a very interesting question I’ve never thought about. I was, at first, a little confused as to why this specific text isn’t set in Arthur’s court. Arthur is mentioned one time in the beginning on line 109, but only as a comparison to King Evan. When thinking of what defines an Arthurian romance, the obvious are themes within Arthurian romances are chivalry, honor, and fate. The first two were exampled in Chretien’s texts, as it focused on both Lancelot’s and Yvain’s sense of chivalry and honor. In Roman de Silence, however, the text seems to focus on the aspect of fate, as Silence is defying what Nature had intended, but also fulfilling the fate Nurture had bestowed upon him. When Nature reveals themselves to Silence, they claim to have “created [Silence] with [their] own two hands…” to “learn to sew” because that’s what “Nature’s usage wants of Silence” (2506, 2528-2529). Nevertheless, when Nurture arrives, they offer a different bit of fate for Silence, claiming to have “completely dis-natured her” (2595). In the passage we read, there’s a bit of clashing fates for Silence, which feels dissimilar to that of Arthur’s, who’s fate is typically known as becoming a great warrior and king.

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2. Arthurian romances have some commonalities, King Arthur’s presence, the court, knights and ladies/ their love but the more I read the more my opinion changes. For example, I always thought of knights and ladies as having definitive roles but realize there’s a wider spectrum in these works. After reading Arthurian romances in this class I’ve been surprised by the amount of feminine traits men have and vice versa. Le Roman De Silence paralleled previous texts we have read. Similar to Yvain’s love for Laudine, Cador is overwhelmed by love for Eufemie, it is in control of him “Love had seized control of him, made him shiver, sweat and tremble. It was worse than the symptoms of a fever”(720) Cador has stayed a dragon but is weakened by love for Euphemie. Silence’s disguise as a boy is calling into question gender binaries, they are only disguising her by cutting her hair/ having her hide her sex. They believe they can raise a female as a male, this is radical because it establishes that there are not many differences between males and females. “Nature,” may be against Silence’s gender change, but Silence thrives as a male. Silences does incredibly well with learning and is “noble and valiant.” (2400) She even excelled at physical challenges “When they practiced wrestling, jousting or skirmishing, he alone made all his peers tremble.” She is just as capable as a boy, it is only outside pressure that at first make her feel “guilty.”

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3. The most important characteristic of an Arthurian romance is that it takes place during the time of King Arthur or is somehow related to the story of King Arthur. This story serves as a sort of origin tale of Merlin, like a spinoff. Though it doesn’t take place in King Arthur’s court, it does depict a court that is very much like his. The kings in the story try to use good judgment and to be fair and just, like King Arthur: “This King Evan who ruled over the English/ was a very wise man indeed” (139-140). At the beginning, King Begon and King Evan agree to end the war between them with a marriage “so that peace may be guaranteed” (172). The romance between Cador and Eufemie reinforces the rules of courtly love: she “was deeply in love with Cador,/who loved her and did not dare to say it” (404-405). Their love is secret, at first: “He hid his love so deep inside” (406), and the author describes the agony of “covert love” while also emphasizing how “Love took Cador’s fear from him” and made him “ready to prove himself” (413-414). Arthurian Romances depict a certain view of court society and chivalry that romanticizes the culture and lifestyle of the time period and places a high value on honor. “Le Roman de Silence” begins with Master Heldris of Cornwall writing that “he does not wish to have his verses circulated / among those who prize money more than honor” (Lines 9-10). I think Silence challenges traditional perspectives on honor, and I agree with Michael that the story places a high emphasis on fate–quite overtly given that Nature and Nurture are literal characters vying for control over Silence’s fate. Getting back to the question though, Arthurian Romances take place somewhere within the timeline of King Arthur’s story and place that high emphasis on chivalry, courtly love, good leadership, honor, etc that I described above. Bonus points if there’s a dragon fight?

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4. Although I am not required to post questions or comments, I will say how much I am enjoying each question and your comments. It certainly helps me learn more about each of the poems we are reading and their characters. Keep the blogs coming!

   Ann

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