Blog #11: Eric and Enide Questions

Explain what a “boon” is: Who asks for it , why, what are the conditions and are there any drawbacks?
A boon is a particular promise that the maiden in the garden asked her lover to give. The man’s name is Maboagrain and he is King Evrain’s nephew. He quickly made her a promise and swore it on oath. He did not know what the promise was until he became a knight and the maiden invoked his oath. He was to never leave her side until some knight would come along and defeat him in combat. This was to be known as the Joy of the Court. Many knights came and fought and lost. The knight could never show this displeased him though because as soon as he did, the maiden would have withdrawn her love. The knight was trapped in the love he had for her. He was imprisoned in her power over him. He was never able to fight in any wars for his king and so he never was able to make a reputation for himself. Unlike Eric, he was not well known in any place except for his home. Maboagrain grew bitter and the love he had for his maiden weakened for he desperately wanted to be free. He admits to Eric that he wished he had never sworn the oath.

Does Eric fight in the Joy of the Court just for the fun of it? To enhance his reputation? What is the larger purpose that is served?
Ever since Eric married Enide his reputation suffered. He spent all his time with his wife and no longer fought in any battles or participated in any games as a knight should. People started talking bad about him behind his back. Enide felt this was all her fault and knew that if Eric’s reputation was slandered she would be poor all her life. To gain his reputation back and to continue to have the love of Enide, Eric fought in the Joy of the Court. No young knight had ever won so if he did, it would be something that would be remembered and told to others. He fights in the Joy and succeeds in winning and he receives the true joy he desired. Enide truly loves him and his reputation is maintained and he is honored as a great knight.