Quote:
Originally Posted by Galadriel55
As for the "fairest" part, go ask Gimli and Eomer who is more beautiful.
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Indeed! Tolkien here seems to be speaking in the style of medieval romance in which exaggeration is expected when referring to female (and male) beauty, particularly when speaking of upper-class beauty, and in particular when speaking of a heroine or hero. This is part of
courtesy.
Sir Thomas Malory in his
Le Morte d’Arthur makes fun of this in Book IX, chapter 14 in which Sir Melliagaunce, who is in love with Queen Gueniver [sic], is prepared to do single combat with Sir Lamorak/Lamerok, who is in love with Queen Morgause of Orkeney, to
prove in battle which lady is the more beautiful. Just at that moment Sir Launcelot wanders by with his kinsman Sir Bleoberis. Sir Launcelot is also in love with Queen Gueniver. When Sir Melliagaunce explains the cause of the proposed battle to Sir Launcelot, Sir Launcelot is furious with Sir Lamorak. Malory writes (spelling modernized from the Norton edition):
¶“A!” said Sir Launcelot, “Sir Lamorak, why sayest thou so? It is not thy part to dispraise thy princess that thou art under obeisance, and we all.”
¶And therewithal Sir Launcelot alit on foot. “And therefore make thee ready, for I will prove upon thee that Queen Gueniver is the fairest lady and most of bounty in the world.″ “Sir,” said Sir Lamorak, “I am loath to have ado with you in this quarrel, for every man thinkest his own lady fairest, and though I praise the lady that I love most ye should not be wroth—for though my lady Queen Gueniver be fairest in your eye, wit you well Queen Morgause of Orkeney is fairest in mine eye—and so every knight thinketh his own lady fairest. And wit you well, sir, ye are the man in the world except Sir Tristramis that I am most loathest to have ado withall; but, and ye will needs have ado with me, I shall endure you as long as I may.”
¶Then spake Sir Bleoberis and said, “My lord Sir Launcelot, I wist you never so misadvised as ye be at this time, for Sir Lamerok saith to you but reason and knightly. For I warn you, I have a lady, and methinketh that she is the fairest lady of the world:
¶“Were this a great reason that ye should be wroth with me for such language?—
¶“And well ye wot that Sir Lamorak is a noble knight as I know any living, and he hath owed you and all us ever good will; therefore, I pray you, be friends!” Then Sir Launcelot said: “Sir, I pray you, forgive me mine offence and evil will, and if I was misadvised I will make amends.” “Sir,” said Sir Lamerok, “the amends is soon made betwixt you and me.”
The fun is that although Lamorak is quite ready to fight against Melliagaunce to
prove his lady’s beauty, Lamorak is suddenly less eager when he realizes that his opponent will instead be the incomparable Launcelot and starts making excuses. But Lamorak is still so brave as to be willing to fight if Launcelot really insists on it. Fortunately for Lamorak Launcelot is willing to listen to Bleoberis.