The Knight with the Lion (Yvain) - Day Three

I believe the major themes of the story of Yvain are Love, Hate and Reputation. Most usually in Chretien's stories (from what I've seen so far), Chretien sets it up so that the love conflict is between a man and a woman (a "boy meets girl and falls in love" sort of thing). However, there is a section in Yvain's story that I find most interesting because it does not fit into this category. On page 358, the maiden seeks out Yvain and begs his help, telling him that if he does not help "then your reputation has betrayed her." She also goes on to say "You can truly rest assured that if you triumph in this cause you will have redeemed the landless girl's inheritance and added to your own glory." Yvain blindly agrees to her request, unknowing what is yet to come. He is unaware that the knight whom he will be up against is his best friend, Sir Gawain. And, because both knights wish to go unrecognized, they end up fighting each other. "Those who were to fight did not recognize each other at all, though they had always loved one another." (pg.370) This brings up all three themes I previously mentioned. Gawain and Yvain are best friends and truly love each other, yet at the same time they are mortal enemies and fight with great hatred, meeting in combat to protect and increase their own reputations and shame the other. As the narrator expresses, "...it is truly a miracle that love and mortal hatred can be found so close together!"(pg.370)