Joanot Martorell: Author of Tirant lo Blanc – A Summary
Joanot Martorell: Author of Tirant lo Blanc
Biography
The primary author of Tirant lo Blanc is Joanot Martorell. He did not finish the work, which was completed by Martí Joan de Galba, a friend of Joanot’s. Joanot Martorell was born in Gandia in 1413 or 1414, the son of a family of average Valencian nobility. He was an avid reader and also trained in combat, aspiring to be the perfect gentleman. His sister, Isabel, married Ausiàs March. When Tirant quotes, he copies and illustrates poems from her brother-in-law. Joanot never married or had children and died in 1468, financially ruined.
Tirant lo Blanc: A Summary
Tirant’s Origins
“I am called Tirant lo Blanc because my father is lord of the March of Tirania and my mother is the daughter of the Duke of Brittany and bears the name of Blanca, so I was called Tirant lo Blanc.“
Tirant in England
This section explains how Tirant, a Breton, travels to England. On his way, he falls asleep on his horse and arrives at a shrine. There he finds William of Warwick, an old gentleman who wanted to rid the world of chivalry, the hermit who lives in the hermitage. Tirant learns how to behave like a good knight with the help of the book “The Order of Chivalry.” Once prepared, Tirant continues his way to England. There, he fights, wins, and is appointed a knight by the King of England.
Tirant in Sicily and Rhodes
This section explains how Tirant, the King of Sicily, and Philip go to Rhodes to fight the Turks. Tirant liberates the island of Rhodes from the Sultan’s control. In parallel, he helps Philip and Princess Ricomana become betrothed. However, ultimately, only Philip is able to marry Ricomana.
Tirant in Constantinople
The King of Constantinople gives permission for Tirant to open the windows of the room where the Empress and Princess Carmesina are mourning the death of his son and brother. Due to the heat in the room, when the windows are opened, Tirant sees Carmesina’s breasts and instantly falls in love with her. Tirant declares his love to Carmesina using a mirror. However, the Widow Reposada also desires Tirant and creates deceptions to separate the two lovers. Plaerdemavida helps Tirant and Carmesina meet and swear eternal love. When Plaerdemavida discovers the Widow’s deceit, she reveals it to Carmesina. Tirant wants to explain himself, but he must first save the people of the Duke of Macedonia, who has been attacked by the Grand Turk. Plaerdemavida decides to follow him, but unfortunately, the ship sinks. She manages to grab onto a piece of timber and arrives on the coast of Africa, where she decides to search for Tirant.
Tirant in North Africa
This is where the most surreal events occur. After the shipwreck, Tirant is found by Plaerdemavida, disguised as a Moor. She enters Tirant’s tent, where he recognizes her and announces her arrival and the girl in Constantinople. The Widow Reposada learns of this and commits suicide with a potion. In Constantinople, there are great celebrations, and finally, the king surrenders his empire to Tirant and the hand of his daughter, Carmesina.
Return to the Byzantine Empire
Tirant and his forces triumph against the Turks. The wedding between Tirant and Carmesina is delayed due to other weddings. Tragically, Tirant dies of an illness upon returning from a battle. The king also dies, and Carmesina, seeing the two most important men in her life dead, dies of grief and pain. The Empress and Hippolytus return home and become the new rulers.