Discovering the Knights: A Look at Troyes & Eschenbach

In the "Foreword" of Eschenbach's "Parzival," Hatto reminds the reader that Eschenbach did not base his text of Troyes' "The Story of the Grail (Perceval)," but on "the otherwise unknown 'Kyot the Provencal'" (p.10). Although this is the case, I thought it would be interesting to point of the similarities and differences that exist between the beginning of the two texts; particularly in the discovering of the knights scene.

While Eschenbach's text provides us with two hefty chapter's explaining how Parzival came to be, Troyes text begins with the discovery of the knights. All we know of Perceval is that he is "the son of the widow lady of the Waste Forest" (p.382). In Troyes version when the knights are galloping towards him(there are five of them, not three as in Eschenbach) Perceval thinks that devils are coming. He decides that when he sees whatever is making such a noise, that he will strike them down. This is our first indication that Perceval has a violent side. In the Eschenbach text, Parzival sees the knights immediately and drops to his knees, thinking each a "god" (p.72). He does not react violently; however, his violent tenedencies are apparent in his killing of birds on the prior page.

Moreover, in the Eschenbach text, the head knight, Karnahkarnanz, is almost pleased to be associating with Parzival. He frequently makes reference to Parzival's outstanding beauty. The knights know just by looking at him that "he bore the marks of God's own handiwork" (p.73). Karnahkarnanz states, "How I wish I had your looks" (p.74). The knights even laugh at Parzival's many inquests. The Troyes text is much different. The head knight is never given a name. Perceval's questions become almost annoying. The knights just want to get on their way and begin to lose their temper due to Perceval's ignorance. He is compared to a Welsh man. One vassal tells the head knight "'Sir you must be aware that all Welshmen are by nature more stupid than beasts in the field: this one is just like a beast'" (p.384). In these two versions we are presented with Parzival's ignorance in two different ways. One of which (the Eschenbach version) is amusing, the other (the Troyes version) which is revolting and uncivilized.

There are however, small similarities between the texts. Both Parzival's are so in awe of the knights, that each mistake the knights for Gods. "The boy thought he was God" (Eschenbach p.73). "Yet here I see God Almighty in person" (Troyes 383). However, Troyes over emphasizes Perceval's belief that these knights are Gods. He professes that he will worship them and even goes so far as to say "you are more beautiful than God" (p.383). His proclamations are again almost revolting. In this Christian text, he places a knight above God. Troyes stresses Perceval's belief that these knights are God, while Eschenbach briefly mentions it.


Taken from Chretien de Troyes "Athurian Romances" ed. and trans. by William W. Kibler London: Penguin Books 1991.