Perceval, the Story of the Grail

“Chrétien shall gain, since he has striven

at the command the count has given

and made endeavors manifold

to rhyme the best tale ever told

in any royal court: this tale

is called the Story of the Grail.

The count has given him the book;

now judge what Chrétien undertook.”

This quote represents the end of the poem’s introductory section, before it shifts to the first scene with Perceval. Here Chrétien de Troyes references his own work in putting the story of Perceval into verse. The next-to-last line, which appears to reference a book that Count Philip had given to Chrétien, has sparked speculation among scholars that the poem might be loosely based on an earlier written source that is no longer extant.

“‘I haven’t met a knight before,’

the youth replied, ‘nor seen one, nor

heard talk about them, which is odd

but you are handsomer than God.

If only I could look so fine

and be as strong as you, and shine!’”

Perceval (“the youth”) is interacting with the group of knights whom he encounters in his local woods, in a series of conversations marked by the motif of comic folly (See: Symbols & Motifs). Having first mistaken the knights for angels, and then for God, Perceval overflows with enthusiasm at the sight of their armor. This gives an example of the winsome blundering of Perceval’s character—ignorant but cheerfully unaware of his own ignorance—and also shows his immediate and early desire to become a knight.

“My son, soon you will be a knight

God willing; I am sure I’m right.

If you find, near or at a distance

a lady who requires assistance

or a distressed and troubled maid

who tells you she has need of aid

with her request you must concur:

all honor lies in helping her.”

This quote comes from Perceval’s conversation with his mother, after she has failed to dissuade him from his plan to become a knight. Having resigned herself to this fate, she tries to give him an explanation of