Tristan & Iseult: Unfailing Loyalty & True Love in Medieval Times - Research Paper

Introduction

Tristan and Iseult represent a representation of true love and dedication in the medieval world. Tristan was born into royalty but lived as an orphan for the whole of his life. While he was young, he was taken captive and abandoned in the sea. Unknown to him, he went to the birthplace of his mother, where he gained much love and respect. Tristan served king mark in different capacities and did so with utmost loyalty. Indeed, he put his life in danger in the line of his duty. King Mark did not have a wife, and it was demanded that he should get one. Swallows brought golden, and Tristan claimed to know the source. They set out to seek the lady with such hair who would be the queen. In a turn of events, they fell in love. In what is shown as true love, the two endure trials and fail to give up.

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Secret Lovers

When Iseult was brought to King Mark, they had already fallen in love with Tristan. However, any signs that they were in love would be treason, and Tristan would be killed. Brangien knew that they had taken a love portion and played along to hide their secret. When it was dark, she went to be with the King, which continued for a while. However, the love between was burning, and they yearned to be with each other (Gade, 11). As the author states, "love pressed them hard, as thirst presses the dying stag of a stream." The love between the two was so strong, but they did not have a way of venting it out.

Envious knights accused Tristan, but the King could not find fault in him. However, he felt that for peace to return to his heart, he had to send Tristan away. When sent away, he lacked the strength to go. As the author writes, "Tristan had no strength to depart altogether." Although he had plenty of physical strength, the love for Iseult drained it. As a result, he did not leave the town as instructed by the King (Mitchell, 97). Similarly, Iseult had similar feelings. She only remained with feigning laughter but was far from it. She even imagined flying to where her love was. Despite the dangers involved, they found a way to be meeting at the pine tree, which was a true expression of love. It is at one of these moments that Iseult spent the whole night there with her love, and everyone, including the King, got concerned (Ali, 128). The meeting point was to be discovered, but they saw the King first and acted so well that he thought they were both innocent.

The two lovers were aware of their foes and held on together. When the felons insisted that he must get exiled, the King was hesitant. The dwarf again devised a plan to prove that they were in love. However, when he was spilling the flour, Tristan was awake and saw what he did. He got carefully up, but there was blood, which was proof that he tried contacting the queen. When it is pronounced that he will die, he pleads for mercy not on his behalf but for the queen. It is a true showoff love when he is not afraid to die but thinks about his love for the queen and what she will go through. Similarly, when Tristan is dragged out towards his death, the queen calls out and states, "if I die that you live, it will be a great joy." It is an indication that they have selfless love for each other (Gade, 13). Both Tristan and Iseult are not afraid of death or any other danger, and they only value their love.

Fugitives

The two managed to escape death narrowly and got into the Morois forest. While in the forest, they faced many challenges. For example, the food they took while in the forest was of inferior quality. The clothes were rags due to the thorns they had to endure. However, none of them noted all these problems. For people who were used to living in a castle with all the comfort therein, such were significant problems. However, neither of these challenges wore their problems. On the contrary, the love they had for each other only grew stronger. It is in Morois forest that they met Ogrin, and Tristan declared his love for Iseult. "I would rather be my life and live on roots and herbs with Iseult than lack her and be king of a wide kingdom." the statement is a clear indication that Tristan did not equate his love with anything in the world. Further, he has no remorse, for he feels that it is his right to love Iseult.

Gifts

After the King found them in the forest, he did not harm any of them. Instead, he put a ring on the finger of Iseult and exchanged his sword with that of Tristan. They both got shocked when they found that the King was there (Mitchell, 103). While out hunting, Tristan felt that he was the cause of the suffering that Iseult was going through. He had made her live like a slave, yet good life awaited her in the palace. Similarly, Iseult felt she had cost Tristan his life. He was a knight and would be enjoying his life had she not shown his love. True love is when each party is willing to take the blame. At no moment did any of the two feel sorry and blame the other for the miseries they went through. It is at this time that they decide to seek forgiveness, and Tristan offers to go away. Iseult swears her eternal love for Tristan but also declares that she will not see him again. While they were bidding goodbye, they exchanged gifts. Iseult gave out her ring and committed. "Take the ring and put it in your finger, whenever you need me, send a message with the ring, and whenever you are, I will do your bidding." The words and actions here show that although they are going separate ways, love is strong. Further, she states that the dog Tristan offers her is to take away the sadness. It will be a reminder of him, and her grief will go away.

The King, after pardoning her, sought to have the queen swear her innocence. The love for Tristan had not waned, and he secretly sent for him. Although she indicated that it was to avoid further demands by the felons, she needed him at such an hour for strength. The love between them was strong that the presence of the other would offer encouragement. It is this which she sought while sending tor the Tristan. On the appointed day, she makes a demand that ensures that they get into contact. Dressed as a pilgrim, he is appointed to carry her offshore, and they get to have contact. Further, it was a plan to preempt the oath, which was before her. Since it is the pilgrim who held her in his hands, she swore that it is only him and the King that ever held her in their hands.

Tristan's heart was still in love with Iseult. He found it hard to move away, although he felt obligated by the oath he had made to the King. It took him days to muster the courage to walk away. Tristan went to Wales, where he got a good reception. He was treated like a special guest, and the host did everything to soothe his spirit. However, nothing could comfort him. The Duke of Wales did not tire in trying to soothe Tristan. He offered him a dog which Tristan found to be very lovely. The love he had for Iseult was strong and thought that such a dog was worthy of her. It is an indication of true love when one is in sorrow but is willing to give his source of comfort to the other (Schallibaum, n.p). Since the dog was precious to the King, Tristan knew that taking it away was almost impossible. Therefore, he offered to fight a giant no one dared. Tristan fought and cut off his hand. Since the Duke had committed to giving anything, he asked for the dog. Although the Duke stated that it was all his joy, Tristan did not consider that. The pleasure he considered the most is that of the queen who he sent the fairy dog to.

The lives of the two are an indication of true love. The actions and words indicated that they were always willing to stand by each others' side. Sacrifice and suffering became part of their lives. Indeed, Tristan died while waiting for magical healing from Iseult. In turn, she held him in death, and there grew two trees, indicating that even in death, they were in love.

Works Cited

Ali, Zina Fadhil, and Anmar Adnan Mohammed. "Exploring the Effect of Society and Culture on English Literature A study of Medieval English Literature and Medieval Society." Al-Ma'mon College Journal 30 (2017): 107-128.

Gade, Rune. ""Kiss me with the hollow of your mouth"-imagining falling in love with Stense Andrea Lind-Valdan." Journal of Aesthetics & Culture 10.3 (2018): 8-14.

Mitchell, Marea. "The Lost Lands of Lyonesse: Telling stories of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly." Shima 10.2 (2016).

Schallibaum, Oriana. "Narrating islands: fragmentation and totality as figures of thought in Raoul Schrott's work." Island Studies Journal 12.2 (2017).