'Women In Erec And Enide'

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Recommended: The role of women in the middle ages

Women in Medieval times had a limited power because they were considered a minority to men. Most women were seen as a “holy” person because women could weave the life of knights between life and death; they were seen to have a connection to the other world. As well, women were a form of peacemaking between two kingships. Chivalric Romance continues this pattern of portraying a woman of simply being in the background. The audience is only shown the man/the knight point of view instead of a woman. However so, in “Erec and Enide”, the attention is shifting for the chivalrous knight to the beautiful and strong women, that is Enide. Through Enide’s eyes and mindset, the audience sees the portray of love and loyalty from women, what a knight in earlier …show more content…

Once on the journey, Erec forbids Enide to speak to him. Throughout this journey, Erec is testing Enide’s love and loyalty for him through various scenes and obstacles that present themselves. By Erec forbidden Enide’s words, a constraint is put on Enide power because women in chivalric romance are known for their intelligence rather than their strength. “…My lord will be killed or taken prisoner, for they are three and his is alone. One knight against three is not playing fair; that one is about to strike him even though my lord is not on his guard. God! Am I to be such a coward that I will not dare warn him? I shall not be so cowardly: I will warn him, without fail.” Even though she has been forbidden to speak to Erec, Enide’s agency is still to protect and warn her husband and let him be angry rather than to let him die or being taken, for that would mean that she would become the victor’s maiden. This demonstrates that Enide’s heart and loyalty lies with Erec. Furthermore, Enide’s intelligences and strengths come into play when Enide and Erec meet the count. “…..Hold back until morning, when my lord will wish to rise; then you will be better able to harm him without incurring blame or reproach. But the thoughts of her heart are not the words on her hips.” Enide is using her power of words to seduces the count into believing her to wait till morning because by then Enide would have warn Erec and led him to safety. Enide is resourceful in knowing how to use her intelligence and words to her advantages to protection her husband/knight instead of looking out for her own well-being and safety under the count’s

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