Book Report on “Tristan” by Gottfried von Strassburg

A visiting Norwegian merchant abducts Tristan in his youth. However, the merchant is quick to put Tristan on the coast of Cornwall on the outbreak of a storm. Tristan, intentionally and unintentionally, reaches the court of Mark at Tintagel. On account of his many accomplishments, Tristan becomes an absolute favorite at the court. In his search for Tristan, Rual finally reaches Tintagel and narrates the story of Tristan's parentage. Mark, who is Tristan's uncle, knights Tristan and sends him back to Parmenie (Strassburg, p.12).

Tristan regains the land of his father and kills Morgan in Parmenie. Placing Rual in charge, he then returns to Cornwall, where Morold, the giant champion of Ireland, arrives to demand tribute laid on the country by the Irish King during Mark's childhood. The alternative to this tribute is a single combat with Morold. Tristan is the only one who dares to undertake this combat, and manages to kill Morold. However, Tristan receives a poisoned wound during this wound. The only person who can cure this wound is Isolde, Morold's sister and the queen of Ireland (Strassburg, p.24).

Disguised as the minstrel Tantris, Tristan arrives in Ireland. His success as the tutor of the daughter of Isolde is such, that the queen cures his wound. His uncle becomes even more impressed with Tristan on his return to Cornwall and expresses his desire to make him his heir. However, upon the Baron's suggestion to Mark to take a wife, he decides on marrying princess Isolde. Princess Isolde's beauty and nobility was so highly praised by Tristan, that Mark could not think about choosing any other option than her. Mark also decides that Tristan would be the best choice to command the embassy.

When Tristan arrives in Ireland for the second time, he discovers that a dragon was wrecking havoc on the countryside. The reward for killing the dragon was the hand of the princess. Tristan manages to kill the dragon. He then cuts out his tongue and conceals it on his person. However, the fumes from the dragon tongue make Tristan fall unconscious. Meanwhile, captivated by the Princess and her beauty, a steward manages to find the dead dragon and consequently claims to have killed the beast. However, the Queen and Princess both do not believe the steward. They continue to look for the real hero and manage to find him. Both ...