Tristan & Isolde

Tristan & Isolde Discussion Questions

Background:

The legend of Tristan and Isolde has been told for almost 1000 years. This story has under gone a myriad of alterations and embellishments over time. Before the 11th Century (ca. 1000 C.E.) there existed various tales of Tristan and Isolde from several sources: the Welsh, the Irish, and even the Persians. Variations of this love story were handed down for generations in oral traditions. By the 11th century, in both Germany and France, the earliest complete versions of this story were compiled; one of the most famous authors was a man by the name of Beroul. Beroul’s version of Tristan and Isolde is considered to be one of the more tragic renditions. In the 12th century, two writers, Thomas of Britain and a German by the name of Gottfried von Strassburgh created their own versions of the tale, which generally followed Beroul’s version, but elaborated and embellished certain aspects of the legend. Thomas and Gottfried’s versions focused more on the romantic love in accordance with the emergence of romance in their respective cultures and eras. During Medieval times, in the 15th century, a British man named Thomas Malory composed a prose version of the Tristan & Isolde legend. Since the 15th century writers on several continents have revised their own editions of this archaic legend. While the details of the story differ from one author to another, the overall plot structure remains much the same.The version which you now read was composed by a Frenchman, M. Joseph Bedier (1864 – 1938). His version of Tristan & Isolde was published in 1900.

List of Important Characters/Places:

King Mark: King of Cornwall; Brother to Blanchefleur (White flower); Uncle of Tristan Tintagel: Palace of King Mark in Cornwall Rivalen: King of Lyonesse in Brittany, France and wife Blanchefleur, parents of Tristan Marshall Rohalt: Right-hand man of Rivalin; Guardian of the young Tristan Tristan: Son of Rivalin and Blanchefleur; ward of Marshall Rohalt; Heir to Cornwall throne through his uncle King Mark; Squire Governal: Tutor and confidant of Tristan King Gurman: King of Ireland Queen Isolde (Iseult) the Fair: Queen of Ireland; a great healer Morholt the Giant: Brother of Queen Isolde of Ireland Princess Isolde (Iseult) of the Golden Hair: Daughter of the Irish king and Isolde the Fair; lover of Tristan; wife of King Mark; Queen of Cornwall Brangien: maidservant of Isolde of the Golden Hair Ogrin: a Christian hermit who lives in the Woods of Morois Kaherdin: son of King Riol of Brittany; becomes Tristan’s beloved brother-in-law Isolde (Iseult) of the White Hands: daughter of King Riol of Breton and wife of Tristan

Part I: The Childhood of Tristan

1. How did Tristan earn his name? What does his name mean?

2. Raised as a son by Rohalt, and under the tutorage of Governal, Tristan grew to be a young man in Brittany, France. Then at the age of 14 Tristan had a run in with some Norwegian merchants. What happened? 3. How did Tristan end up in the court of King Mark in Cornwall?

4. Tristan spends three years in Cornwall and endeared himself to King Mark. However, neither King Mark, nor Tristan knew that they were related. How did Tristan come to know that King Mark was his uncle?

5. Tristan, now a knight of Cornwall, accompanied Rohalt back to Lyonesse, Brittany why?

6. After completing the above task, Tristan returned to King Mark’s side, why did Tristan feel more loyalty to King Mark than he did for the man Rohalt who raised him?

Part 1: The Morholt out of Ireland

7. When Tristan returned to Cornwall, he found King Mark and the people in mourning, why?

8. Who is Morholt?

9. Who rises to Morholt’s challenge? Describe the outcome.

10. This is our first introduction to Isolde (Iseult) the Fair. “From that day, Iseult the Fair knew and hated the name of Tristan of Lyonesse.” Why did Iseult the Fair come to hate Tristan, before she ever met him?

11. How did Tristan return to Cornwall? Why?

12. Unable to find a cure, what did Tristan finally convince King Mark to do with him?

13. Where if Tristan end up? Who nursed him back to health?

14. Did the women know the true identity of the man they had healed? Why not?

Part I: The Quest of the Lady with the Hair of Gold 15. Tristan returned to King Mark’s court in Cornwall. Tristan was the hero of the people and the beloved heir to King Mark’s throne. What vow did King Mark make that angered his barons?

16. Who and what convinced King Mark to change his mind?

17. King Mark languished over the idea of selecting a bride, but then suddenly he finds something that brings him hope, what was it?

18. Tristan returns to Ireland once again, what is his mission this time?

19. What danger does Tristan find when he first lands upon the Irish shores? What edict has the Irish king issued with regard to this danger?

20. Tristan defeats the beast, but is not given credit for the deed initially, why not? Who stole credit for this deed and why?

21. Once again Tristan ends up in the healing hands of both Isoldes (Iseults). Explain.

22. Not recognizing who it is they have healed, what does the Queen Isolde (Iseult) ask Tristan to do?

23. Suddenly the princess Isolde (Iseult) of the Golden Hair recognizes Tristan for who he is, and what does she do?

24. How does Tristan change her mind?

25. The princess Isolde (Iseult) of the Golden Hair was not the only person in Ireland to recognize Tristan, the Irish king and all of his knights did as well. How did Tristan escape with his life?

Part I: The Philtre (The Love Potion)

26. Queen Isolde (Iseult) the Fair gave a powerful love potion to Brangien before Tristan and the princess Isolde (Iseult) set sail for Cornwall. What instructions did the Queen give to Brangien about the potion? 27. Why did the queen make the potion in the first place?

28. What happened to Tristan and the princess Isolde (Iseult) of the Golden Hair on the voyage to Cornwall?

Part I: The Tall Pine Tree

29. Eighteen days after Tristan and Isolde (Iseult) of the Golden Hair arrived in Cornwall, she was married to King Mark. One the wedding night, what did Brangien have to do to protect her mistress?

30. King Mark and Isolde (Iseult) of the Golden Hair are now married. What of the love of Tristan and Isolde (Iseult) of the Golden Hair?

31. In the middle of page 13, you will find the line: “And they left him to taste the poison.” To whom and to what is this line in reference to?

32. How does King Mark seek to silence the contempt of his barons? Does he believe their “poison?”

33. How are the lovers faring while separate?

34. Who comes to the rescue of Tristan and Isolde (Iseult) of the Golden Hair? How so?

35. The great love affair resumes, King Mark remains clueless, until a magician is brought forward by the barons to prove the guilt of Tristan and Isolde (Iseult) of the Golden Hair. Who is this magician and what proof does he offer King Mark?

36. How do the lovers outwit the king and his men?

Part I: The Discovery

37. Once again back in King Mark’s good graces, the barons were furious with their king. They force King Mark to give Frocin the magician another chance to prove Tristan’s guilt. What scheme does Frocin conceive of this time? Is this rouse successful, is King Mark finally convinced of the adulterous love of Tristan and Isolde (Iseult) of the Golden Hair? 38. What sentence does King Mark immediately cast upon Tristan?

39. But Tristan challenges the King and begs to be allowed a trial by combat. Explain what a trial by combat is and then explain why Tristan was so certain that he could overcome his death sentence.

Part I: The Chantry Leap

40. King Mark did not allow a trial by combat and the next morning Tristan was sentenced to die in what manner? How did Tristan escape his intended fate once again?

41. What of the fate of Isolde (Iseult) of the Golden Hair? She, like Tristan was to burn by order of King Mark, but her fate changes from a speedy death by flames to a slow death. What kind of slow death?

42. Even the slow death is denied to Isolde (Iseult) of the Golden Hair, why?

Part II: The Wood of Morois

43. How was life in the woods for the prince and queen?

44. One day, as the two lovers are foraging for food they happen upon someone new, who is it?

45. What does Ogrin attempt to convince Tristan and Isolde (Iseult) of the Golden Hair of? How does Tristan defend his actions?

46. What dear companion of Tristan’s was aiding and abetting the fugitive lovers?

47. How were the lovers finally discovered in the Wood of Morois?

48. King Mark sneaks up upon the lovers, but he does not kill them when he has the chance, why?

Part II: Ogrin the Hermit

49. King Mark’s secret visit and his mercy deeply impacted both Tristan and Isolde (Iseult) of the Golden Hair. They came to a decision. What was the decision what were Tristan’s reasons for coming to such conclusions? What were Isolde (Iseult) of the Golden Hair’s reasons for her decision? 50. To whom do the two fugitive lovers turn to for help?

Part II: The Ford

51. Ogrin writes a letter to King Mark for Tristan, in this letter what does Tristan ask from his King?

52. What is King Mark’s response?

53. The lovers are forced to part, but they exchange gifts, what gift did Tristan receive from Isolde (Iseult) of the Golden Hair? There was a promise attached to this gift, which was? And what was his parting gift to her?

54. Tristan was exiled once again, but he did not go far, why not?

Part II: The Ordeal by Iron

55. Though Tristan is exiled, the felonious Barons are still chafing, and they confront King Mark and ask him to do what?

56. How does the normally meek King Mark respond to this?

57. When King Mark returns to the castle, Isolde (Iseult) of the Golden Hair asks him what happened and then she convinces him to do what?

58. Why did Isolde (Iseult) of the Golden Hair consent to this trial and how does she survive it?

Part III: The Little Fairy Bell

59. Tristan set off, intent to keep his oath to King Mark this time. He went into Wales and killed a giant for what prize? What was so special about this prize?

60. What did Tristan do with the prize?

61. Why did Isolde (Iseult) of the Golden Hair throw the bell into the sea? Part III: Isolde (Iseult) of the White Hands

62. Tristan traveled the world and fought many battles, what finally makes him want to settle down?

63. Tristan ends up in Brittany in the kingdom of Riol. King Riol has a problem, what is it? How does Tristan propose to fix things for this King?

64. After a successful campaign, what does King Riol propose to Tristan?

65. Tristan then marries Isolde (Iseult) of the White Hands, but he refuses to consummate the marriage, why?

Part III: The Madness of Tristan

66. How does Isolde (Iseult) of the Golden Hair learn of Tristan’s wedding? How does she take the news?

67. Meanwhile back in Brittany, Tristan falls into a state of despair, leaves his new wife and secretly runs off to where?

68. Tristan enters the court of King Mark in a shocking manner, what guise does he use? What does the rouse accomplish?

Part III: The Death of Tristan

69. After 3 days, Tristan returns to Brittany, but suffers what along the way?

70. Fatally wounded, Tristan has one final wish. What is the wish and who agrees to help him fulfill that wish? Why does Kaherdin agree to help Tristan?

71. Tristan gives Kaherdin many instructions about how he is to travel and retrieve Isolde (Iseult) of the Golden Hair. What were the instructions with regard to the sails?

72. Isolde (Iseult) of the Golden Hair immediately sets sail with Kaherdin and tries desperately to reach Tristan in time, but ultimately she fails, why?

73. What became of Isolde (Iseult) of the Golden Hair? 74. Where were the two fugitives lovers buried and by whom?

75. What makes the tomb of Tristan and his Isolde (Iseult) of the Golden Hair?