Tristan and Isolde (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: Gottfried von Strassburg
- First Published: 1210
- Type of Work: Poetry
- Type of Plot: Romance
- Time of Work: The Arthurian period
- Setting: Northern Europe, Ireland, and England
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, medieval, Narrative poetry
- Subjects: Love or romance, Exile or expatriates, England or English people, Adultery, Kings, queens, or royalty, Kidnapping, Ireland or Irish people, Knights or knighthood, Honor, Royal courts or courtiers
- Locales: Europe, England, Ireland
Characters Discussed
Tristan (TREES-tahn), the courtly son of Rivalin and Blanchefleur. Orphaned at birth, he is reared by Rual the Faithful until he joins King Mark’s court after his escape from Norwegian kidnappers. He serves his lord well by killing Duke Morolt and winning the hand of Isolde the Fair for Mark. Tristan and Isolde drink a love potion by accident and fall helplessly in love. The two lovers deceive Mark until Tristan is forced to flee. Later, he marries Isolde of the White Hands, but it is a marriage in name only.
Isolde the Fair (ee-ZOHL-deh), the wife...
[The entire page is 549 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Navigate
See Also
