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STUDIES IN PH ILOLOGY Volume 101 Winter, 2004 Number 1 The Plot in Miniature: Arthur’s Battle on Mont St. Michel in the Alliterative Morte Arthure by Kateryna A. Rudnytzky Schray HAT giants roam throughout Arthurian literature is no surprise —these brawny behemoths populate the regions of Logres, Corn- Twall, and Gaul—indeed, all parts of the Arthurian empire. With histories and reputations of their own, they faithfully accompany their heroic nemeses throughout folktales, chronicles, and romances alike, despoiling maidens, exacting tribute, terrorizing countrysides, and challenging valiant knights. In the words of critic Richard Cavendish, as supreme villains, giants often function in allegorical or archetypal capacities, generally representing ‘‘brute force and ignorance, mindless irresponsibility and the destructiveness of greed and lust.’’ As such they provide Arthurian heroes with ample opportunity to display their knightly prowess. According to Cavendish, ‘‘the hero slaying a dragon or a giant is carrying out his duty as the upholder of right and order. It was commonplace in the Middle Ages that the duty of knights was to defend society by keeping the peace and righting wrong’’ —hence, Culwch’s ultimate triumph over Ysbadadden, Tristan’s valiant defeat of Morold, and Yvain’s slaying of Harbin. Occasionally, giants appear en
Studies in Philology – University of North Carolina Press
Published: Feb 3, 2004
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