Throughout the text we see this buildup of events and battles that Erec go through. In each battle there is this heroic, divine tale of how Erec single handily slain worthy knights of distant lands. When first looking at each event it seems as though Erec is trying to prove himself and the fact that he is still a worthy knight, and has not lost his prowess. But then I begin to look at the way Chrétien makes Erec this sort of supernatural being, the way he praised by the people, and the way people sort of embrace and admire him. It’s like throughout the text Erec develops into an idol: “They bore the body away to Limors and took it into the count’s palace. All the people followed after them – ladies, knights, and burghers. In the middle of the great hall, on a table, they placed Erec’s body laid it out, his shield and lance beside him. The hall filled up; the crowd thronged: everyone was pushing to inquire what grief this was and what the source of wonder was” (Chrétien 95). Chrétien doesn’t say knight who was causing this grief, but he says “source of wonder” like he is referring to some sort of marvel, or miracle. Erec’s body was taken to a place where no one knew of him, but yet people of all ranking gathered and rushed to see his body and stand around him observing him. Erec’s death has some aspects of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ: “In the midst of these words and cries Erec regained consciousness, like a man who awakes from sleep […] ‘Away! Away! The dead man!’” (Chrétien 96, 97). Throughout the text Chrétien sort of makes these parallels between Erec and Jesus Christ. Through this Chretien shows the relevance of the text.
Q. How does Chrétien use this theme deity to show the relevance of the text?
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