Perceval Begins

2. Describe the first scene concerning Perceval’s encounter with the knights in the Waste Forest. How does Chrétien portray Perceval? And the knights? What image of knighthood does the text portray? And what is Perceval’s perception of knighthood? How do these portrayals conflict with one another? Why do you think Chrétien does this?

Before Perceval sees the knights, he thinks that they are "devils [that are] more frightening than anything in the world" (382). His foolhardy decision to strike the "devils" rather than cross himself shows how his character is impulsive and rash - aspects that sometimes prove beneficial, sometimes negative. When he finally sees the knights, however, the "glittering hauberks and the bright, shining helmets, the lances and the shields - which he had never seen before - and when he beheld the green and vermilion glistening in the sunshine, the blue and silver," he was "captivated and astonished" (382). Basically, Perceval is a child, because shiny toys are enough to convince him that devils are angels.

Perceval's perception of knighthood is that knights are superhuman - that they are holy, Godlike, and perhaps even better than God (definitely blasphemous). To Perceval, they are the manifestation of idealized beauty. But the knights themselves are self-centered and mean. They seem to be entirely caught up in pursing their quarry of knights and ladies, and they make fun of Perceval in his ignorance, rather than treating him with chivalrous kindness. The knight who is the head honcho is certainly having a good time talking to Perceval and making fun of what a "dolt" and "Welshman" he is. So while the knights certainly look the part, they don't act it.

Chretien creates this dichotomy to show that things are not what they seem - a life lesson that the naive Perceval is bound to learn soon. For instance, it is not enough to take advice at face value - because however well-meant, Perceval totally bungles his encounter with the lady in the tent. (Maybe he's never seen a lady before?) Perceval, like a toddler, follows the literal words of his mother's advice without understanding the intention behind them. Perceval seems to not know or care the difference between taking and giving, stealing and receiving. He comes out from the tent with the lady's ring, which he somehow sees as a token of her esteem. But of course it's not, because he took it from her, it wasn't given to him (which is what a token is, of course). In this unrealistically complete absence of a morally-based, common-sensical internal compass, Perceval displays an almost Machiavellan manner: it doesn't matter to him what means he uses to achieve the end he wishes. To Perceval, a ring taken is as good as a ring given.