Erec and Enide

Suiting up the Hero: Legacies of Medieval and Renaissance Armor and Identity in Christopher Nolan'sBatman Begins

“…Armor continued to play a role in the knight's transition to warrior throughout his martial career (Jones, Bloodied Banners 112). In Chrétien de Troyes's Erec and Enide (c. 1170), the author describes in detail Erec putting on his armor before battle:

Erec was eager for the combat. At his command his arms were brought to him, and the maiden herself armed him.

…”

Medieval Manifestations

“…"Grief and sorrow are to be mine for the rest of my life unless my lord somehow frees himself immediately and escapes from here without fatal injury." 152 With this last statement, Enide confirms that her heart would break if Erec were to die. Given Chrétien's support for both sides of the argument, it seems he wants us to believe that both are indeed true.…”

“…When wracked with grief, a person cries (137), sighs (53), and groans (78). If angry, one reddens (43), loses one's color (77), and cries (152). As with Statius, the only physical manifestation Ovid associates with shame is blushing (362).…”

“…Several were sweating anxiously, for they feared, more than he, for his disgrace or his death." 148 This opposition between those who shouldn't be afraid but are, and the one who should be afraid but isn't, again says more about the bravery of the hero than anything else. The townspeople's fear, like the pope's, serves to augment the hero's bravery.…”

“…Then I shall be even worse off.'" 151 She is clearly worried about her own survival, regardless of whether Erec lives or dies. But Chrétien does not let the matter rest there, for Enide continues with her monologue, indicating that perhaps she is more concerned with her husband's welfare than her own.…”