Perceval (22)

Ranks 22nd on The Fictional 100

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"If knightly deeds with shield and lance can win fame

for one's earthly self, yet also paradise for one's soul,

then the chivalric life has been my one desire!"

The following books will introduce you to Perceval, who said these words in Wolfram von Eschenbach's Parzival.

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• Chrétien de Troyes. The Complete Romances of Chrétien de Troyes (David Staines, Trans. and Intro.). Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1990.
  • This 12th-century French poet's masterpiece was "Perceval, or the Story of the Grail," which follows the hero from childhood to knighthood under King Arthur to mature Christian chivalry through his quest for the Grail.
    
• Mabinogion (Jeffrey Gantz, Tran.). Viking Penguin, 1976.
  • The story of Peredur in this Welsh romance cycle shows Perceval's Welsh origins.
    
• Wolfram von Eschenbach. Parzival (A. T. Hatto, Trans. and Intro.). Penguin USA, 1980.
  • While Chrétien's story remained unfinished, this German version carries Perceval (Parzival) through to his final destiny as Grail King. It was the basis for Wagner's opera Parsifal.
    
• Malory, Sir Thomas. Le Morte D'Arthur: Vol. 1 (Penguin Classics; Janet Cowen, Ed.). Viking, 1981.
• Malory, Sir Thomas. Le Morte D'Arthur: Vol. 2 (Penguin Classics; Janet Cowen, Ed.). Viking, 1993.
  • Malory's account of the Grail quest is the most popular version in English. He emphasizes election by God, which permits Galahad, Perceval and Bors to see the Grail, but excludes Lancelot because of his sin with Guinevere. Galahad becomes Grail King, but Perceval is still essential.
    
• Tennyson, Alfred Lord. Idylls of the King (J. M. Gray, Ed.). Penguin USA, 1989.
  • Perceval narrates the Grail story in this classic Victorian tribute to Arthurian romance.
    
• Wagner, Richard. Parsifal (Bayreuth Festival, VHS). Philadelphia Museum of Art.
  • Wagner's opera on video.
    
• Beckett, Lucy. Richard Wagner, Parsifal. Cambridge University Press, 1988.
  • Guide to the opera, its literary bases, Wagner, and stage history.

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