The Prologue: It’s Relevance in an Allegorical Interpretation of Le Conte du Graal
Coby Fletcher
PREFACE
The Prologue: It’s Relevance in an
Allegorical Interpretation of Le Conte du Graal
by
Coby Fletcher
Numerous attempts have been made at interpreting Chrétien de Troyes’s Le Conte du Graal, but most accord very little attention to the author’s Prologue and rarely attempt to consider the story in view of known Twelfth Century literary tendencies and social movements. However, when considered from the perspective of Hugh of Saint Victor’s conception of allegory as it relates to and springs from the narrative, Chrétien’s Prologue clearly assumes a key role in helping the reader understand the author’s program in this, his last and most innovative work.
I would like to acknowledge the patience and support of my wife, Isabelle Juliette Fletcher, and the encouragement and instruction I have received from the excellent faculty at the Univeristy of Dallas, including Dr. John S. Maddux, Dr. David Sweet, and Dr. Phillip Rosemann, in particular. The assistance of Concetta Nolan, Administrative Assistant to the Graduate Dean, has been priceless.