Athis und Prophilias (1175/1215)
|
|
Romances of Antiquity
Athis und Prophilias (1175/1215)
Mittelhochdeutsches Übungsbuch, ed. by C. von Kraus, 2nd ed. Heidelberg 1926. p. 63-82, p. 276-279.
AtPro-1:
(A 1) Hidden in a cave outside of Rome, Athis observes a murder committed by several women on a young nobleman. As the murderers disappear into the woods, Athis resolves to take the responsibility for the crime because he longs to die since he has lost his friendship with Prophilias.
Motif References:
F 1041.21 Reactions to excessive grief
AtPro-2:
(A 96) The next morning, Roman burghers find Athis beside the corpse and infer from this and his confession that he is guilty of the murder. He is confined in chains and exposed to public view. On the third day, a law court is summoned, formed by the Roman consuls. There, Prophilias takes the blame for the crime, but finally both friends’ innocence is established.
Motif References:
P 319 Deeds of friendship – miscellaneous
P 510 Law courts
AtPro-3:
(A 1) Prophilias’ sister Gayte has been promised to King Bilas, but falls in love with Athis. Prophilias determines to disengage his sister from this marriage arrangement by force. He and Athis summon all inhabitants of Rome and the surrounding region fit for military action, and then organize the battle formation.
Motif References:
T 89 Tragic love – miscellaneous motifs
T 92.7 Rival lovers do battle for girl
T 108.1 (Bm) Girl (to be) married against her will [without her consent]
AtPro-4:
(A 153) Description of the Romans’ banner: it is made of red samît and shows a golden dragon.
Motif References:
P 550 Military affairs
AtPro-5:
(B 1) King Bilas moves with his army towards the battle field and commits Gayte to the care of Aimone, a relation of his. The Romans’ war-cry is “Athene schivalier!”. In the ensuing battle, many knights are either killed or wounded.
Motif References:
P 550.1 (Li) Battle. War
P 557 Military customs
AtPro-6:
(B 19) Appearance of Prophilias before he sets out for a joust: his azure shield shows a golden eagle made of two kinds of Veronese gold, the long tabard is made of brown samît and patterned according to his heraldic device, and the armor is new and beautifully shining. His coat of arms is also depicted on the banner.
Motif References:
P 91 (Li) Heraldic figures and symbols – coat-of-arms
F 824 Extraordinary [part of] armor
AtPro-7:
(B 77) Prophilias is attacked by Margoz of Messina (one of Bilas’ followers) with the war-cry “Messine scievalier!”, but kills his opponent. After another exhausting combat, Prophilias turns towards a meadow to take a rest.
Motif References:
P 550.2 (Li) Single combat
P 557 Military customs
AtPro-8:
(C 1) King Bilas of Bile’s army and Athis’ troops engage in a fight. Single combat between Brinus and Absterne, who unhorses his opponent and brings his horse to King Bilas. Absterne tries to persuade his lord to withdraw from the battle.
Motif References:
AtPro-9:
(C 1) Gayte and Athis move together with the Roman nobility in a festive procession towards a building named wurmlage. Then, a behourd (mock-battle) is performed by young knights.
Motif References:
T 136.1 Wedding feast
AtPro-10:
(C 45) According to a Roman wedding custom, young ladies, clad in beautiful garments, play a ball game and dance in front of the bride. At the temple dedicated to goddess Venus, a priest performs the wedding ceremony and blesses the couple. Afterwards, the couple is once again accompanied by the young ladies, who are finally rewarded with the bride’s and bridegroom’s horses and garments and dance in honor of Venus. A banquet and dance follow the ceremony.
Motif References:
T 135.9 Wedding ceremony in church
T 136 Accompaniments of wedding
T 137 Customs following wedding
AtPro-11:
(D 1) Gayte is conducted to the bridal bed by her relatives, undressed by a lady and then urged by Salustine, her mother, and Cardiones, Prophilias’ wife, to lie down beside Athis.
Motif References:
T 137.2 Bride and bridegroom conducted to bridal bed
T 160 Consummation of marriage
AtPro-12:
(D 92) The next morning, Athis dons beautiful garments and rides in the company of his male relatives and friends to the temple of Venus to worship the goddess. After the service, mounted games are held. Meanwhile, the noble ladies help Gayte put on beautiful clothes.
Motif References:
AtPro-13:
(D 134) Description of Gayte’s mantle: it is of violet silk cloth (phellil) interwoven with gold thread in the shape of animals, leaves, twigs, grapevines, interlaced braids. The fur lining consists of ermine, the brown sable at the edge is procured from Russia. The mantle is held together by two golden, gem-studded clasps. Her dress is cut in French style, girded with a studded braid. The breast-clasp is of gold and decorated with jewels.
Motif References:
F 821.4 Extraordinarily beautiful mantle
AtPro-14:
(E 1) Athis and Prophilias and other Roman knights involved in a battle outside of Athens. Salustîn bears the standard.
Motif References:
P 550.1 (Li) Battle. War
AtPro-15:
(E 115) The Count of Pisa tilts at Prophilias, but is unhorsed in the first joust. The same fate befalls the count’s companion. Prophilias’ next opponent is Dimothene of Tripe.
Motif References:
AtPro-16:
(F 1) A king and his son, both fatally wounded, have been carried into the town. Considering the young man to be Prophilias, Cardiones dies of grief. The prince has been defeated by Prophilias though, and now encourages his sister Alemandîn to marry the brave and virtuous victor.
Motif References:
T 81.7 Woman dies on hearing of lover’s or husband’s death
F 1041.1.2.2 Woman dies on hearing of her husband’s [lover’s, fiancé’s] death
|