Where are They Know?: If Yvain had Committed Suicide
The reasons why Yvain finally rejects suicide as a course of action are described on the Suicide in Medieval Europe page, however, had he not ruled out self-murder, the setting of the episode would have changed drastically. Although the act itself would have been done privately in the clearing, Yvain's death would have been made extremely public. The body would have been dragged through the town and his head stuck up on a pole at the gate. His life would have ended in the woods by the spring but his legacy and dishonor would have traveled throughout the kingdom as a warning and a lesson. The act of suicide could be seen as a final attempt of taking control of his life. By dying on the land he was meant to protect, abandoned, and was banned from Yvain would be forever connected to that space. However, after his death he would have had no control over the space traveled by his body or the places reached by his story. |
In the Woods: A Private Matter
The episode from "The Knight with the Lion" being examined is contained entirely within the clearing by the stone and the spring. In the story it is well noted that the clearing and the path to the clearing are difficult to find causing the location to be extremely secluded. The privacy provided by this place matches the extremely private nature of the contemplation and act of suicide. With such a strong stigma attached to suicide at the time, even Yvain's consideration of suicide, had it been in public, would have been punishable by death. His comment "And now, when no one looks at me, why do I spare my life?" further emphasizes that this discussion is only allowed to occur in private. Lunete's experience also is dependent on the isolation provided by the woods. Her imprisonment is made more torturous by being deprived of human contact and, quite possibly, food. Her separation from society is also in an effort to prevent her from declaring her innocence and procuring a knight to fight on her behalf. Ironically, it is this very isolation that allows her to find the very knight that she seeks and saves her life. '"I am a wretched captive, the most miserable creature that lives," she said. |
Where are They Know?: If Lunete had been Executed
Like Yvain, Lunete would have had no control over where her body was taken after the episode. The fire over which she was to be burned would have been located in the middle of town and her execution would have drawn a large crowd. Because the two knights that accused her knew of her innocence, their superstition may have gotten the best of them and they would have her buried at a crossroad to keep her spirit at bay. Lunete, too, would have been made an example of and her tale would have traveled throughout the country. Unlike Yvain, however, Lunete's suffering would not have ceased in the clearing. Her physical and emotional pain would have dragged to town with her and would have reached a climax as she burned to death. While it would have been expected that Yvain's spirit be forever tied to the clearing, Lunete's spirit would be seen as forever restless and homeless has it drifted away in the smoke.
Like Yvain, Lunete would have had no control over where her body was taken after the episode. The fire over which she was to be burned would have been located in the middle of town and her execution would have drawn a large crowd. Because the two knights that accused her knew of her innocence, their superstition may have gotten the best of them and they would have her buried at a crossroad to keep her spirit at bay. Lunete, too, would have been made an example of and her tale would have traveled throughout the country. Unlike Yvain, however, Lunete's suffering would not have ceased in the clearing. Her physical and emotional pain would have dragged to town with her and would have reached a climax as she burned to death. While it would have been expected that Yvain's spirit be forever tied to the clearing, Lunete's spirit would be seen as forever restless and homeless has it drifted away in the smoke.