Tristan and Iseult
'Tristan and Iseult' Summary
Tristan and Iseult by Joseph Bedier is a retelling of an ancient legend which has been popular for nearly eight hundred years! The origins of the story are lost in the mists of time, but scholars reckon that it is based on a Persian epic poem called Vis O Ramin, composed by the Persian poet Asad Gorgani in the 11th century. This itself was based on oral traditions which existed since the first century. Whatever the origin, the poignant story of doomed lovers captured the imagination of writers, musicians, playwrights, poets and artists all over the world and gave rise to wonderful works of literature and art.
Joseph Bedier was a classical scholar and professor of Medieval Literature at the University de Faubourg, Switzerland. Due to his concerted efforts, interest was revived in ancient French texts and legends. Tristan and Iseult was published in 1909 and it firmly established his great reputation as a writer and a scholar. It was translated into English by Hilaire Belloc and Paul Rosenfeld. Other translations included Cornish, German, Italian and many other languages.
Tristan and Iseult tells the story of a Cornish knight, Tristan, who travels to Ireland to bring back the lovely princess Iseult for his uncle Mark to marry. En route, the two young people fall in love. Some legends have it that the lovers mistakenly ingested a love potion that made them fall eternally and irrevocably in love. When they reach their destination, Iseult marries King Mark but continues her affair. When the secret is discovered, the lovers are condemned for adultery. They are sentenced to death, but conspire to escape. There are various versions of the end of this story – Some end in tragedy with both dying, while others have them escaping, begging the king for forgiveness and living happily ever after. Whatever the outcome, the story has had an indelible impact on Western romantic and tragic traditions. It was also incorporated into Arthurian legends.
Widely adapted on stage, screen and television, Tristan and Iseult is a timeless classic which would be a great addition to your bookshelf.
Book Details
Author
Joseph Bédier
France
Joseph Bedier was a French writer and scholar and historian of medieval France. Bédier was born in Paris , France to Adolphe Bédier, a lawyer of Breton origin, and spent his childhood i...
More on Joseph BédierDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
- Select Speed
Related books
The Two Heroines of Plumpington by Anthony Trollope
In the small English Town of Plumplington the daughter of a brewer and that of a banker each has selected her future husband contrary to the wishes of...
The Subjection Of Isabel Carnaby by Ellen Thorneycroft Fowler
In the opulent world of London's high society, a tempestuous secret lies concealed behind the impeccable facade of Isabel Carnaby. In "The Subjection...
The Gutting of Couffignal by Dashiell Hammett
On the tranquil island of Couffignal, a storm of violence erupts as a ruthless force descends upon its wealthy and elderly inhabitants. A seasoned det...
Aaron's Rod by D. H. Lawrence
In "Aaron's Rod" by D.H. Lawrence, the pulsating beat of life echoes through the pages, beckoning readers into a world of passion, rebellion, and self...
The Life Everlasting: A Reality of Romance by Marie Corelli
In this thought-provoking novel, Marie Corelli explores the nature of reality and the possibility of an afterlife. "The Life Everlasting: A Reality o...
The Big Blue Soldier by Grace Livingston Hill
This is a captivating novel written by Grace Livingston Hill, a renowned author known for her inspiring and heartwarming stories. This book was writte...
Darnley by George Payne Rainsford James
In the shadows of the English court, a young man plots to become king. Darnley is a historical novel by George Payne Rainsford James that tells the s...
The Trail to Yesterday by Charles Alden Seltzer
This is a gripping tale set in the rugged and untamed American West. In this sweeping frontier saga, where justice is as elusive as the whispers of th...
An Outback Marriage by Andrew Barton Paterson
Imagine being forced to marry a stranger in the middle of the Australian outback, surrounded by nothing but red dust and wild animals. An Outback Mar...
The Human Boy Again by Eden Phillpotts
Step back in time to the turn-of-the-century English boarding school, where a group of mischievous boys embark on hilarious adventures and learn valua...
Reviews for Tristan and Iseult
No reviews posted or approved, yet...