Parzival

Though Parzival is the lead protagonist in the story, Gawan operates as a secondary protagonist. He becomes the narrative focus for several books as Parzival burnishes his reputation by performing knightly deeds.

Gawan is the protagonist who most conforms to the common ideal of a knight. Unlike Parzival, Gawan grows up surrounded by the world of chivalry. His uncle is King Arthur, while his father is the King of Norway. This aristocratic background means that Gawan is all too aware of the etiquette that threatens to undermine Parzival’s ascent. These systems are second nature to Gawan, but he is keenly aware of his privileged background. This privileged background provides Gawan with a different kind of motivation. He does not want to simply rest on his laurels, nor accept an unearned place in Arthur’s court. Instead, Gawan wants to prove himself, showing that he is a deserving figure and someone with a rightful place on the Table Round. Parzival performs knightly deeds out of a reverence for the abstract ideal of a knight, while Gawan’s deeds are more self-serving. He wishes to increase his reputation to ensure that he is known for his own merits, rather than as a member of a famous family.

Though he strives to make his own identity known across the continent, Gawan struggles to discern the identities of others. On several occasions, his inability to recognize members of his own family suggests that his relationship with identity is self-centered. Gawan arrives in the magical castle and survives a strange onslaught from a bed and a lion. He is treated by Arnive, the mother of King Arthur and a relation of Gawan, as well as his own mother (Arnive’s daughter), Sangive, and her daughters (his sisters), Itonje and Cundrie. Gawan does not recognize these women. Later, he must ask Bene which of the two younger women is Itonje.

He also fights his friend Parzival due to a case of mistaken identity and—when he is not recognized by Gramoflanz—he feels compelled to identify himself to the knight, even though he knows that doing so will end in a duel. Gawan struggles with the identities of other people but, when faced with the possibility of not being recognized, he is willing to fight to establish his own identity. Gawan is so wrapped up in his own fame and fortune that he loses track of other people.

Despite his tendency toward self-absorption, Gawan succeeds in becoming a famous knight. He wins the love of Orgeluse, despite her initial scorn toward him. He impresses his uncle, Arthur, enough that he earns his place at the Table Round on merit, and he demonstrates his martial knowledge by both defeating many knights in duels and orchestrating a large-scale battle plan in the latter stages of the book, something which Parzival never accomplishes. While Parzival returns to relative isolation by becoming Lord of the Grail, removing himself from society, Gawan succeeds by following the path of chivalry. His rise to fame and fortune adheres to the chivalric code at all times. He fights for love and honor and is rewarded with fame. While the story of Parzival is more mystical and esoteric in nature, the success of Gawan is instructive for young knights who wish to prove themselves.

Parzival is commonly described as an Arthurian text. As such, the literary and mythological figure of King Arthur looms large over the story. Arthur is King of the Britons, portrayed in Parzival as an elderly, respected figure who inspires loyalty from the dedicated band of knights in his service. These knights are known as the Table Round, representing the highest form of adherence to the chivalric code in the medieval world.

Arthur is the leader of this group, which frames him as the embodiment of the code itself. Though the Arthur portrayed in Parzival does very little fighting, his importance cannot be understated. As the embodiment of the chivalric code, he functions as the arbiter of chivalric values. Knights seek to impress Arthur by adhering to the code; they strive to be invited to his Table Round as a symbolic demonstration of their worth as knights. Arthur is a judicial and senior figure who inspires, polices, and governs all knights.

To this extent, Arthur’s role in the story of Parzival is somewhat distant. Parzival first learns of Arthur’s name from the passing knights who introduce him to the concept of chivalry. From then on, Parzival strives to impress Arthur from afar. He sends defeated knights to Arthur’s court as a way to announce his growing reputation. In the meantime, Arthur travels from place to place, settling disputes in a unique fashion. While Parzival uses his combat skills to settle disputes, Arthur is removed from the base act of actual fighting. He is a diplomat, whose exchange of letters and ideas can settle large battles quicker and more efficiently than any knight.

Through such diplomacy, he loosens the complicated knot that seems to have bound Gramoflanz and Gawan into an inevitable battle. As the arbiter of the chivalric code, Arthur has the power to transcend typical ideas of honor. His reputation means that he can suggest to other knights that they back down from a fight—something which their honor would otherwise prevent. In this way, Arthur demonstrates his elevated level of importance. His authority derives not only from his embodiment of the chivalric ideal, but in his ability to operate against such an ideal when necessary.