Browsing by Author "Sims, Patricia Mary"
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- ItemSome medieval perspectives on the traditional heroic quest : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in French(Massey University, 1983) Sims, Patricia MaryThe purpose of this thesis has been to examine certain features of the quests of selected heroic characters in three significant literary periods. As worthy heroes tend to represent the noblest features of man, the heroic quest can be expected to reflect man's deepest yearnings and his fundamental experiences. The principal authors who have been selected for this study are Homer, Vergil and Chrétien de Troyes, as they all occupy a conspicuous place in literary tradition. For in Homer's epics is the climax of a lengthy Greek oral tradition; Vergil looks back to Homer, and in doing so, adapts the older epics to the portrayal of the achievements of Augustus and the glory of the new Roman empire; Chrétien de Troyes, in his turn, is conscious of many aspects of antiquity as well as Celtic influences and reflects both secular and spiritual aspirations of twelfth-century France. Thus the works of these three authors, together with the Roman d'Eneas show in different ways man searching for the good. There is a basic similarity in the heroes' experiences. The hero is, initially, a man of great promise who, to some extent, is distinguished from the rest of his society. Through pride, excessive self-love, blindness or failure to understand his vocation, he commits a sin of üβρis or excess, or sometimes fails in his duty. This fault is generally associated with a false quest where the hero sees personal gain and personal glory as the principal object of his quest. In most cases, however, his fault enables him to see himself as he really is, and forces him to embark upon a quest for 'wholeness', his true quest, which is directed to restoring a sound balance between the physical, rational and spiritual aspects of his nature. In order to do this, the hero sometimes has to assume a role where, for a time, he has to 'stand outside' himself in order to know himself better. This quest frequently necessitates a journey of renewal where the hero expiates his fault and is tested through suffering. Although this journey is sometimes identifiable in geographical terms, the focus is on the hero's spiritual progression. The hero's successful confrontation with Other World forces proclaims not only his uniqueness and his election; it also proclaims the extent of his achievements and the degree of goodness he has attained. Finally, in different ways, the heroes are all portrayed as men capable of a high degree of loving and indeed, the perfection of love is frequently a sign that the hero has fulfilled his quest. Some of the heroes experience conflict with their society. As the quest progresses, they reject, in different ways, the false values with which society may be contaminated and are forced, instead, to choose true and lasting values. The hero thus becomes the man who can be looked up to, the liberator from enslaving forces. Although, inevitably, there are many differences in the portrayal of heroes of three such distinctive literary periods, the heroes of Homer, Vergil and Chrétien de Troyes have many features in common. This is due, in part, to a translatio studii, but more particularly to the tendency of honest human beings to discern the truth and to pursue the good.
- ItemThe spiritual development of some knightly characters in the Roman courtois : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in French at Massey University(Massey University, 1972) Sims, Patricia MaryIn 1963 when I was studying Vergil's Aeneid, I became gradually aware that the Trojan leader, so often accused of being a negative plaything of the gods, was a great man and a great religious hero. For being able to see this point of view, I am greatly indebted to an enlightening article by F.A.Sullivan, S.J., who demonstrates how Aeneas, in his quest for a new Troy undergoes a spiritual Journey not unlike that experienced by people who truly seek union with God by the sanctity of their lives. Last year, when I was reading Yvain for the first time, it again became apparent that the hero, in his quest for reconciliation with his wife, could also show some features of a similar tripartite development. Further reading indicated that signs of a deep religious experience could also be found in other heroes, particularly in some of the romances of Chretien de Troyes, who have been studied here from the aspect of their spiritual progression. Among all those who have in any way helped me to prepare this work, I should like to thank the Sisters of the Congregation to which I belong,the Sisters of Mercy,Wellington,who have given me much encouragement; the staff of the French section of the Modem Languages Department, Massey University, and especially Dr.Glynnis Cropp who has given so readily of her time and scholarly advice; the Library Staff, particularly the Interloan Section of Massey University; and finally, Mrs.Esme Lynch for her capable typing. March 1972. [From Preface]