Romance of Tristan- Parts 14-19

Question 3
In the part entitled "Tristan's Madness" we see yet another one of Tristan's disguises. In this piece of the story the author says that Tristan realized that he couldn't enter Cornwall undisguised because Mark would kill him. To remedy this he disguised himself as a mad man by cropping his hair and acting the part of a fool. I find this type of disguise common in medieval literature. In "Le Morte D'Arthur" Merlin is initially introduced as a crazy beggar. It is only when he is able to tell Sir Ulfius information that nobody should know that he was recognized for who he was. Tolkein also uses a similar disguise for Gandalf the wizard, a character no doubt inspired by medieval works such as these.

Question 4
While the antics of Tristan and Yseut are entertaining throughout the first 15 parts or so, the story soon loses it's novelty. In this fact lies the reason for the lover's deaths.

After the love potion "wears off" it becomes apparent that it was not the only cause for their relationship. Even after they repent, they still scheme against Mark, and they are still deeply in love. If they were allowed to live, the story would languish and become tiresome. By having them die, Beroul creates an ending that is as dramatic as the preceding parts, which in effect moves the story on while providing its resolution. Tristan and Yseut's deaths also serve to rouse a last burst of pathos from the reader, which seems to be Beroul's mission throughout the entire work.