Bell Ringer 12/5

What do you know about Christian symbolism? What are important

items in the Gospel? What are the differences between Catholic and Protestant practices? What are

the Crusades and what did/didn’t they accomplish?

Perceval

• Chretien de Troyes: well educated, wrote in vernacular, produced earliest known account of quest for Holy Grail legend

• Archetypes: details, plot patterns, character types, or themes that appear in literature of many cultures.– Quest– Disguised Identity

Perceval Background

• Perceval’s mother has lost husband and both sons to “chivalric combat”. She locks her final son away to keep him safe, but once he meets a group of knights, he decides this is the life for him. He is taught not to ask questions and not to speak until spoken to as part of his training. He finishes training and sets out on the quest to find the Holy Grail.

Important Religious Items• Lance with bloody tip – pierced the side

of Jesus at the Crucifixion

• Candelabra – Jesus, Light of the World

• Holy Grail – cup out of which Jesus drank at the Last Supper

• Silver, bejeweled Platter – service for bread Jesus broke at Last Supper

Analysis

• The rapid current, deep water, and high cliff symbolize the challenges faced on quest.

• The fisherman is symbolic of the Holy Spirit – he knows the perils that await the knight, but can only offer so much guidance.

• Perceval’s immediate condemnation of the fisherman represents man’s sin; his recognition of his mistake represents repentance.

Analysis Continued

• Perceval’s training is problematic because it interferes with his ability to TRULY seek answers.

• The nobleman foresees Perceval’s coming trials, so foreshadows them by giving the sword (symbolic of the BIBLE – instruction book).

• The deserted castle and locked doors symbolize the need for each individual’s personal journey for answers and salvation.