Lanval

1. Lanval doesn't hold a rare title, he is a knight, but unlike the others he was not given land or women from King Arthur. Despite this, he is envied because of his "valor, generosity, beauty and prowess" Lanval is poor and a rather unfortunate fellow. This is was not a usual characteristic of men. It is typical that men were wealthy and had man women flocking after them. However, Lanval was content and "asked for nothing". Lanval is described as well-mannered as he stood to meet the two beautiful damsels. He is also described as not being foolish - a good trait to have I'd say. After meeting his lover and gaining her riches he was still a giving man, despite how he had been treated by Arthur. He "performed many honorable acts" and was quite generous toward others. During the Middle Ages people held a high value of chivalry. Men who were romantic and sought love were admired. This was particularly expected of a knight. Lanval seemed to be charming and was madly in love. He even told the Queen off and boasted about the lover which caused great trouble.It was the deep love that Lanval had that really reflected the ideas of the culture.

2. I do not think that the work is necessarily feminist, but it definitely shows a change in style and ideas due to the new female perspective. The fact that Lanval's lover is rich and beautiful and seems to be doing just fine without a male shows a definite change in ideas. Usually women were depicted as poor and helpless without a man. Because the writer is a female she brought in her ideas that woman did not need a man but in fact sometimes men are the ones who need a woman. In this case Lanval becomes wealthy when he pairs with his lover. In the end she is the one who comes to Lanval's rescue and saves his life. This shows that the hero of a story does not have to be male because a female can do the same jobs. I believe this was the significance of the Lanval being saved by a woman. I think this work is mild compared to other feminist writings and it doesn't seem to bash males but just to change around the literature that was typical of the time. The women were most likely tired of reading the same old stories of the male hero.