The Romance of Tristan and Iseult is a book that has immense lessons to me especially with regards to the area of love and relationships. The story is about a love triangle that involves King Mark, Tristan, and Iseult. Tristan is a young Knight who wins the heart of Iseult, a beautiful princess after drinking a love potion that was meant to enhance the love between his uncle King Mark and the same princes, Iseult ( Bédier & Gallagher, 2013). The story is interesting because even after the drinking of the love potion, they continue with their illicit love relationship without the knowledge of King Mark. What makes this story particularly spectacular is not only the tragedy that finally hits the two lovers but their determination to continue with their relationship under intense secrecy in an environment that was risky to both of their lives.
The love affair between Tristan and Iseult could be regarded as special due to the nature in which it came about. Romantic love is a mutual feeling between two people that develops after a period of courtship or friendship between a man and a woman. However, the story of Tristan and Iseult gives us a different picture of the development of love. The two individuals' love develops as a result of the influence of a love potion that was consumed accidentally. It could even be true to assert that these people could have never fallen in love were not for the magical love potion that was meant for King Mark and Iseult. The two develop an intense love affair between them, but as soon as the effects of the portion begin to wear, they begin to give themselves a limited love that is only comparable to siblings. The lesson that is important to me at this juncture is that love, as a natural phenomenon, can sometimes be induced. However, this kind of induced love is not long lasting and is bound to suffer the consequences of tragedy and oblivion.
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Another crucial lesson that I can draw from the love affair between Tristan and Iseult is the fact that people will always do anything to protect their love. It is important to note that love is a mutual feeling of affection between individuals who in turn must express it without any fear of contradiction. However, these two lovers found themselves in a weird situation where they have to hide their affair using lies and deceits. They make up many lies and cover-ups to ensure that King Mark does not found it about the adulterous tendencies. As their love progresses, they become great dissemblers and deceivers who are not ready to let anything come in their way ( Bédier & Gallagher, 2013). The lesson that is vividly brought about by their affair is that sometimes, people can be forced to protect their emotions towards each other using any means, whether good or bad. The story justifies the falsehood that is perpetrated by the two lovers and makes it appear as if it was the right thing to do.
As stated earlier, the story is based on a love triangle that involves King Mark, Tristan, and Iseult. The original plan was to have Iseult marry King Mark until the two consumed the love portion accidentally. Therefore, the picture that comes out of the situation is that Tristan did betray his uncle and mentor. Their adulterous behavior is a further depiction of betrayal given the fact that they do it under an air of secrecy. Therefore, the biggest lesson that I can achieve from the scenario is that betrayal is a common thing in love and some instances, the people who are actually meant to marry each other end up never doing so because of betrayal among lovers.
Everything that is built on the premise of lies, deceit, fakeness, and betrayal will ultimately crumble and suffer the consequences of fate. The secret affair between the two lovers is finally revealed, and King Mark was not hesitant to take action against them. The medieval system of justice was brutal where trials were normally not there, and if they were there, it took a combative nature. The King condemned the two lovers to death without any trial. Other than the oppressive justice system in Medieval, another lesson that could be taken away from the situation is that the king was on a personal vendetta against the two lovers at the time of their condemnation. According to him, it was a direct insult on his stature and powers as a king and therefore needed to take action to send a message to any person who would in the future be tempted to defy him.
Love is depicted as a fate between Tristan and Iseult. Although it began as something that seemed like induction, it grew deep, and as the magic portion grew weak, they could still be seen advanced in love. Therefore, it is a lesson that love is a fate that cannot be altered as manifested between the three individuals in the story.
In conclusion, several important lessons can be learned from the Romance of Tristan and Iseult. Among them include that love is fate, sometimes people use deceit to protect emotions, and betrayal is a common thing in love. The book outlines a short-lived joy between the two lovers who did everything they could do to ensure that they remained happy in love.
References
Bédier, J., & Gallagher, E. J. (2013). The Romance of Tristan and Iseut . Hackett Publishing.
