Book Review: The Romance of Tristan & Iseult

My sophomore year in college I took a literature course and the professor chose the theme of love in his selected books. Of all the books we were assigned to read, discuss, and write about there was one that soared above the rest; The Romance of Tristan & Iseult. As a big fan of fantasy and medieval history I found the setting of this book to be most ideal to my taste. I must confess though, that as much as I enjoyed the setting I hardly grasped the content, perhaps feeling it was more of a forced read than a leisure read. I remember my biggest contribution to in-class discussion was the grand finale by which Tristan fought death to see Iseult one last time. 

I knew the book was a classic, and so I hung on to it for all these years on my shelfs, awaiting the day that I could give it a more proper read. I enjoyed the 2006 film Tristan & Isolde with James Franco but was not blown away by it. However I was very much inspired in 2014 when I first heard Richard Wagner's musical prelude entitled Tristan und Isolde. The song was beautiful as it was eerie, demonstrating the powerful emotion of the story that was full of passion yet unescapable tragedy. As I've recently heightened my reading passion, and have emerged into a Viking phase, the time seemed very fitting to give this classic romance a deep dive. 

Written in the 12th century, the story of Tristan and Iseult is the epitome of a chivalric romance. It is a theme that incorporates a medieval English ideal of glorious chivalry, heroism, and romance. It blends heroism, courage, honor, righteousness, romance, and elements of fantasy which make for a truly poetic story. This format is demonstrated in other similar works of English writing, such as The Legends of King Arthur, The Canterbury Tales, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. It appears however that Tristan and Iseult is one of the oldest of the chivarly romance, that later inspired the Arthurian legend of Lancelot and Guinevere (a similar love affair between a knight and a princess). The book that I have just finished for a 2nd time is the popular translation by Joseph Bedier.

The Story

Set in the southwestern region of England, known as Cornwall, the young Tristan proves to be a mighty warrior for his uncle King Mark. At the king's bidding, Tristan defeats the mighty Irish enemy known as the Morholt and later a deadly dragon. As a prize he is given the hand of Iseult the Fair, to be married to his uncle King Mark. Iseult is bitter at the arranged marriage, yet her mother procures a love potion so that she and King Mark can live happily together. However on the boat ride from Ireland to Cornwall, Iseult's handmaiden, Brangien accidently delivers the potion to Tristan and Iseult. They fall in love instantly despite Iseult's arranged marriage to King Mark.

And so from the on-set their is a great barrier between Tristan and Iseult's love, that being the marriage to King Mark. Iseult becomes Queen of Cornwall, however is constantly conflicted with her secret love for the knight Tristan. Soon others in the kingdom grow suspicious, mostly the king's knights who are jealous of Tristan's many victories. They eventually devise a plot with the help of a dwarf to reveal the secret affair. Once it becomes clear that Tristan and Iseult share feelings, the King intends to murder them both. Tristan is able to escape, while Iseult is handed over to lepers as punishment. She is however rescued by Tristan and the two escape to the woods for some time.

It is here in the woods of Morois that Tristan and Iseult are finally able to freely give in to their love. And yet still there remains great restriction between the two, mostly overcome by fear and guilt. It's not so much the rough living in the woods, yet rather the insecure feeling of being hunted, and more-so the wrong by which they have committed. Both know that in the eyes of God, Iseult is still married to King Mark, and the guilt torments them both. Finally they agree to reason with the King, and restore the marriage without penalty. King Mark is happy to welcome Iseult back, and shows forgiveness to Tristan whom had won him so many victories. However the King's knights continue to manipulate him against Tristan. 

King Mark allows Tristan to live in a far-off land serving another King, while Iseult is forced to confess her innocence. The lovers then begin to grow distant, and the grief takes atoll on the both of them. Despite the distant and heightened security, they still send messages to one another and share brief exchanges. Iseult finds great hope from a Nightingale, that reminds her of the powerful love they share. Tristan also offers her a dog with a magical bell that can take away her emotional pain, yet she refuses the bell, not wanting to dim her feelings. 

In an effort to move on with his life, Tristan offers his service at his homeland of Lyonness and wins favor with the king and his son Kaherdin. After several victories they offer him the hand of their daughter Iseult of the White Hands (not to be mistaken with Iseult the Fair). And yet despite her beauty she is quite plain, and cannot rid Tristian of his passion for Iseult the Fair. He eventually honestly shares his story of love lost to his new wife, who humbly understands his grief and shows him empathy. Despite his new life, Tristan still cannot overcome his love for Iseult the Fair, and continues to reach out to her. He is heartbroken when his message to Iseult is misconstrued, and he thinks she no longer loves him.

Tristan then travels to the kingdom of Cornwall, disguised as a fool just so that he may see Iseult once again. King Mark and all the nobles of court, make fun of Tristan, despite his truthful words of his past life. Even Iseult the Fair does not believe him to be Tristan yet rather a wicked warlord playing tricks on her heart. Tristian is eventually able to convince her by showing her the green ring he presented her in the woods. The two once again share several nights of secret love and promise to unite together once and for all. However on his journey home to Lyonness, Tristan is pierced by a poisonous spear of one of Kaherdin's enemies. 

Knowing that he is approaching death, Tristan sends Kaherdin to bring Iseult to him so that he may see her one last time. He instructs Kaherdin to arrive with white sails if he has her, and black sails if he does not. Kaherdin thus journeys to inform Iseult of Tristan's dying condition, and she devises a lie to go away with him. The sail to Lyonness is a treacherous one that nearly sinks their ship, however they arrive at the shores. However in Tristan's deathbed, his wife Tristan of the White Hands, has also succumbed to heart grief and takes her final vengeance on her husband. She lies and tells Tristan that Kaherdin has arrived with black sails, and Tristan dies instantly. Shortly after Iseult the Fair arrives to Tristan's dead corpse and also dies in his arms. The King recovers both bodies, buries them, and many years later their tombs share entwined branches. 

The Analysis 

My biggest take away here from this classic work of literature, is yet again the element of the tragic love affair. Why is it, that all the best works of romantic literature must end as a tragic love affair. Consider Romeo & Juliet, Anna Karenina, The Great Gatsby (three classic works of romantic literature, at the top of my head that are love affairs). I'm sure I could name many more, but the point being that it appears the love is all the more powerful in these stories, when it is forbidden. It's a classic case of wanting something that you cannot have, and giving in to your darkest desires. Many of the best works of romantic literature, hit unparalleled heights of passion that ultimately result in a sharp decline of tragedy. This is no doubt the case of Tristan and Iseult, who are both doomed as soon as they share that love potion.

The importance of the love potion in this story cannot be overstated, and it serves as the driving force and perhaps even the villain. While the idea of a love potion seems righteous, it is no different than a drug that alters one's perceptions and is entirely unnatural. Tristan and Iseult share some natural moments before they take the potion, yet after they become imprisoned by it. Furthermore their unnatural love is further complicated by the great barrier of King Mark, Iseult's rightful husband. In an age of righteousness and honor, no person wanted to defy God, even under the influence of a drug.

Tristan and Iseult make a valiant effort to fight this drug, to do what is right, and distance themselves from an unlawful love affair. However continuously they are overcome by the power of this desire for one another, which no doubt makes for a very romantic and poetic story. The nightingale and the fairy bell in my opinion demonstrate the unbreakable power of this love. They are willing to endure misery so as not to forget one another. However the barriers between their powerful love, eventually lead to madness and tragic death. I suppose a true romantic could find a happy resolution with the entwined branches at their tombs. This classic story of chivalry and particularly this retelling by Joseph Bedier is such an original and unique masterpiece of romance.