Grail narratives
Some may question whether all of the adaptations of the Arthurian legend have had an impact on later literature and the grail tradition as a whole. The Quest of the Holy Grail is one of these adaptations of the Arthurian legend, but it warrants a special place in the history of the grail tradition. The text has a visible impact on the writing of many later grail narratives by helping redefine certain emphases in these texts. For example, two later works where the impact of the Quest of the Holy Grail can be seen are Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d'Arthur and Rosalind Miles’ the Child of the Holy Grail. In both of these pieces common Arthurian tropes persist, but the Quest of the Holy Grail sets up the two for new religious implications.
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Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur and the Quest of the Holy Grail share the common subject of the grail. Both discuss the Arthurian legend, but Malory’s text is written after the Quest of the Holy Grail and builds upon many of the principles introduced in the Quest. One of these is the religious significance of the color white that the Quest of the Holy Grail introduces and that Malory’s uses. In Roger Loomis’ The Grail: From Celtic Myth to Christian Symbol, Loomis uses Albert Pauphilet’s, a French Medievalist, analysis on the quest to discuss the importance of the color white in the Quest of the Holy Grail. Pauphilet discusses how the “Cistercian habit was white, and Galahad’s first adventure took place at a ‘white abbey’.” He points out how “Lancelot was similarly entertained at a white abbey,” and the Maimed King “retired to a religious house of white monk” (Loomis 168). The color white symbolizes the importance of purity in the Quest for the Holy Grail .This symbolization of the color is translated to Malory’s text. In Le Morte d’Arthur Lancelot learns that he is no longer the best knight in the world when he arrives at a chapel and speaks with a pastor dressed in white. Another time, Lancelot arrives at a tournament with half of the knights dressed in white and half dressed in black. The white represents a separation between sin and purity. This tradition began with the Quest of the Holy Grail.
Another impact of the Quest of the Holy Grail on Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur can be seen in the enlightening of the reader toward purpose of the grail itself. For example, in Perceval, which is an Arthurian text coming before the Quest of the Holy Grail, the purpose and origins of the grail are not entirely known to Perceval and the audience. When Perceval is invited to dine with the Fisher King, he eats and watches the grail “borne back and forth, uncovered, plainly visible, and still he did not know why” (Chretien 105). While the grail is later revealed to be the key to healing the Fisher King, its origins and workings still remain mostly a mystery. On the other hands, the Quest of the Holy Grail introduces religious overtones that redefine the idea of the grail. As Sandra Ness Ihle discusses in her Malory’s Grail Quest, “Malory’s altered conception of the Grail itself” can be seen in that “it follows that knowledge of the Eucharist is possible for every man who lives a good Christian life” (Ihle 43). The grail in Malory's text, building upon the Quest of the Holy Grail’s definition of the grail, has now become a transparent vessel that can be obtained through a pure Christian life--one that Galahad upholds in the end. |
Miles’ The Child of the Holy Grail is another novel that builds upon the religious principles developed in the Quest of the Holy Grail. For one, Miles’ text uses most of the settings and characters that are developed in the Quest of the Holy Grail. Camelot which is first introduced in the Quest of the Holy Grail and the mentioning of Rome and the Holy Land are continued in the Miles’ text as are many of the characters, including Galahad. One interesting point is that Miles’ The Child of the Holy Grail focuses on Guenevere’s goddess and pagan religion in contrast with Christianity. Guinevere is in conflict with Christian monk society and influence that can be seen within the novel. For example, when Guenevere reaches for the Hallows and causes them to disappear, the Round Table cracks. Miles writes that the Abbot has “his monks clustering all around with the secret glee of children who see another disgrace.” The monks look toward Guenevere with the hope that God may catch all the “pagan whores like this” (Miles 99,100). Miles employs the Christian ideals of purity and faithfulness that the Quest of the Holy Grail introduces and sets up a contrast between the Christian believers and the pagan believers. Guenevere, who represents the feminism and the pagan beliefs within the novel, is losing her husband King Arthur to the Christian beliefs that are slowly entering her society. Miles’ narrative again shows the impact of the Christian ideals that the Quest of the Holy Grail explores.
Both Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur and Rosalind Miles’ Child of the Holy Grail are examples of works that exemplify the impact of the Quest of the Holy Grail on the grail tradition. Malroy’s employs connections to the purity resembled in the color white and the understanding in the purpose of the grail with the Quest, and Miles’ text uses the religious overtones developed in the Quest to set up a contrast between the Christians and pagans. The Quest of the Holy Grail is relevant in later grail narratives and continues to be to this day. |