Chivalry, Courtly Love, and Eroticism in Tirant lo Blanch
Tirant lo Blanch: A Multifaceted Novel
Military Prowess and Strategy
The novel showcases medieval warfare with striking detail, emphasizing both the author’s ambition and the quantitative descriptions of military actions and strategies. The narrative vividly portrays the deployment of tactics, such as the ingenious substitution of crossbow projectiles with projectiles made of soap and cheese against the Turks.
Social Customs of the Time
Tirant lo Blanch offers a window into the lives and customs of people in the late medieval period. As a work of social commentary, it depicts various locations, though notably omitting England and Valencia, the author’s birthplace. The narrative hints at the anxieties of the 15th-century feudal lords regarding the rising bourgeois class. This is exemplified by the Duke of Lancaster’s harsh punishment of six tourists and Diafebus’s punishment of Tirant’s doctor. The rivalry between guilds, such as the conflict between blacksmiths and weavers during the King of England’s wedding, further illustrates the social dynamics of the era.
Exploration of Eroticism
The novel portrays eroticism with a delicate sensuality, often intertwined with complex emotions. The sexual attraction between Tirant and Carmesina is depicted from both male and female perspectives, showcasing a balance rarely seen in literature of the time. The narrative employs a rich arsenal of euphemisms in depicting intimate relationships, which can be categorized into:
- Poetic Expressions:
- “With the shoe had to stop in place”
- “I touched my foot a little further, where my love wish fulfilled if we attain happiness in this world can attain.”
- “Plaerdemavida took Cavell and pulling the section where they would have liked to end his life.”
- “Pulling patiently wanted to try to give his last wish” (p.268)
- Colloquial Expressions:
- “We wanted to put his hand under the skirt and fleas for sure”
- “Watch Tirant, Behold your belly, thighs and the secret” (p.264)
- Military Metaphors:
- “He saw his arms extended Estefania”
- “so I could get the victory they wanted to win”
- “Exits victorious in battle”
- “I think we are already past the pain and pressures of battle”
- “As the battle Pulling defeated by force of arms and enters the castle”
- “defense because the words are funny enjoyable battle not reached the end” (p.268)
- “Immediately the doctors came and took her pulse and found him very disturbed by the exitacio as if they have waiting lists to enter the field and hedge against young knight battle the dangerous topics” (p. 275)
Love in its various forms appears later in the book: love at first sight (Tirant and Carmesina), gradual love (Prince Philip and Princess Ricomana), unrequited love (Plaerdemavida and Hippolytus), fantastical love (Espercius and the enchanted maiden), and transferred love (the Empress for Hippolytus).
Contrasting Depictions of Love
The novel contrasts Tirant’s timid and sentimental approach to love with the more physical and assertive approach of Estefania and Plaerdemavida. While the narrative doesn’t explicitly favor one over the other, it presents both perspectives for the reader’s consideration. The psychological complexities of the characters, particularly Tirant and Carmesina, add further depth to the exploration of love and relationships.
Character Analysis: Plaerdemavida and Carmesina
Plaerdemavida’s character is marked by sexually suggestive language and imaginative erotic scenarios, yet she remains uninvolved in actual affairs. Carmesina, in contrast, is a more predictable character, her thoughts, words, and actions aligning consistently. Other characters exhibit subconscious desires, such as the Empress’s love for Hippolytus, which stems from her grief for her deceased son. The author’s understanding of psychological disorders is evident in the portrayal of love as a form of obsession.
The Role of Mental and Physical Exertion
The narrative suggests that mental and physical exertion can serve as an antidote to obsession, as illustrated by Tirant’s temporary disbelief of Carmesina’s infidelity after a period of illness and an encounter with an old Jewish man. The novel also subtly critiques societal machismo by portraying certain male characters in a ridiculous light.
List of Erotic Scenes
- 218-222: Plaerdemavida’s dream
- 235-239: Tirant transforms amorous pledges into knightly armor
- 260-262: Estefania’s wedding night
- 263-269: Tirant observes the Princess bathing and going to bed
- 274-283: The Empress and Hippolytus