Bibliotheca Arnamagnæana - 01.06.1981, Page 138
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Erec’s handsome appearance (vv. 87-89) and tells us his age (vv. 90-92).
In the saga, in addition, Erex occupies a position of considerable impor-
tance - he is one of twelve wise men, Arthur’s counselors - a position that
is not his in the romance.
The prologue to Erex saga differs from that of Parcevals saga in that it
describes the hero and is based mostly on information gleaned from the
romance. Since the description of the hero is taken out of the position it
holds in the romance and is placed at the beginning of the tale, it enjoys a
prominence in the saga and serves a function not obtaining in the ro-
mance. The introductory portrait of the hero immediately announces to
an audience the subject of the tale. Because of the laudatory tone, expec-
tations are high. Despite one major fali from chivalrous grace, the de-
portment of Erex otherwise corroborates the author’s assessment of the
young knight in the prologue.
Mottuls saga also commences with a portrait, not of one of Arthur’s
knights but of the king himself, and indirectly a depiction of the realm
over which he reigns. No model for Arthur’s encomium (see pp. 29-30 for
the text) exists in Le mantel mautaillié, however. The prologue to Mottuls
saga overwhelms us with superlatives. King Arthur is perfection itself,
and after having piled superlative upon superlative the author - seeming-
ly satisfied with his accomplishment - informs us that no one could pro-
claim with laudatory tongue the splendid magnificence and honor of Ar-
thur’s kingdom - engi kunni at telja lofsfullri tungu virduligan gdfugleik
ok sæmd rikis hans (ch. 1, 1:10-11). Arthur’s individual virtues are such
that they are all-inclusive; they impinge on his environment and on per-
sons about him. The author insists that he is fabricating no fable; he calls
upon proper authority to lend credence to his hyperbolic encomium of
Arthur. Manifold reports bear witness to the truth of his assertions, tales
that were set down by worthy clerks - about grand adventures which took
place not only at Arthur’s court but also far and wide throughout his
realm - tales about outstanding deeds of chivalry, as well as about other
extraordinary events:
Pat våtta honum sannar sogur ok margskonar god frædi er ger
våru af dyrum klerkum um mart hans athæfi ok stundum um
margfaldliga atburdi fagra, er med margfoldum håttum gerd-
usk innan hirdar hans ok vida um hans riki, stundum um
hrausta riddaraskapi, stundum um adra kynliga hluti. (ch. 1,
P- I)-
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