Tristan and Isolde

Alternate titles: Tristan and Yseult; Tristram and Isolt; Tristrem and Iseult

Tristan and Isolde, Tristan also called Tristram or Tristrem, Isolde also called Iseult, Isolt, or YseultTristan and Isolde [Credit: Illustration by N.C. Wyeth]principal characters of a famous medieval love-romance, based on a Celtic legend (itself based on an actual Pictish king). Though the archetypal poem from which all extant forms of the legend are derived has not been preserved, a comparison of the early versions yields an idea of its content.

The central plot of the archetype must have been roughly as follows:

The young Tristan ventures to Ireland to ask the hand of the princess Isolde for his uncle, King Mark of Cornwall, and, having slain a dragon that is devastating the country, succeeds in his mission. On the homeward journey Tristan and Isolde, by misadventure, drink the love potion prepared by the queen for her daughter and King Mark. Henceforward, the two are bound to each other by an imperishable love that dares all dangers and makes light of hardships but does not destroy their loyalty to the king.

romance: “Tournament of the Knights of the Round Table,” from manuscript of Tristan romance [Credit: Gianni Dagli Orti/Corbis]The greater part of the romance is occupied by plot and counterplot: Mark and the courtiers seeking to entrap the lovers, who escape the snares laid for ... (200 of 779 words)

(Please limit to 900 characters)

Or click Continue to submit anonymously: