Perceval- Part 2

While reading this portion of the story, I first became aware of the things that Perceval gave up in order to become a knight. Prime among these, in my opinion, is his ability to learn. This sacrifice is seen best when Perceval is staying at the castle of the Fish King. Here he sees many interesting and mysterious things, yet he does not ask what the meaning of these are.

The reason for Perceval's silence derives from the advice given to him by Gordemant of Gohort. Gordemant told him not to speak in excess or to gossip, and Perceval took this advice to heart. He did so to his detriment, however. In the beginning of the story, Perceval's curiosity brought him only good things. Even though he was seen as a fool for the entire first part (and even now) he never hesitated in trying to learn what he did not know. This lead him to become a knight, and was one of the traits praised by Gordemant. It is only after Perceval stops questioning the unknown that bad things happen to him. When this occurs, a deluge of misfortune falls upon him. He learns his mother is dead, he is cursed by the Fish King's niece, and he learns that he failed to save the Fish King from his injury.

I think that this is Chretien's way of denouncing several of the evils of knighthood. By arranging the story in this way, he shows the difference between what knighthood should be, and what knighthood actually was. Gordemant is representative of a true knight. He is kind, just, and charitable. He tries to give Perceval good advice by warning him not to engage in gossip or talk about such things too much, but Perceval misunderstands him. Instead, Perceval adopts the ways of the common knight by willfully stopping the learning process and being content with ignorance.