Lanval is a poem by Marie de France that depicts the story of Lanval, one of King Arthur’s knights. The narrative of Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife comes from a religious standpoint and portrays the actions of Joseph, a worker at Potiphar’s household. Both stories revolve around loyalty, fidelity, and a man’s fight against temptations. Despite differences in backgrounds, both of the narratives paint the main characters as heroes for their ability to resist temptations brought upon them by women.
The similarities between the stories lie within their main takeaway. Both of the stories portray refusal to temptation as a noble act. Furthermore, the narratives are similar to each other in depicting the fight against temptation as an action bound to be rewarded. Lanval’s lady comes to rescue him in the end, and Joseph can find success and respect even when imprisoned. Another similarity that these plots bear is the face of temptation; in both cases, women are the ones who attempt to seduce the protagonist.
The first difference between the stories is the protagonists’ subject of loyalty. Lanval refuses the queen’s advances because he is loyal to his lady, while Joseph’s loyalty lies with God. The second difference is in the fact that Lanval does not suffer extensively for his loyalty; meanwhile, Joseph is sent to prison as the result of accusations made by Potiphar’s wife. The final difference is the focus on female beauty that is prominent in Lanval in prolonged descriptions of his maiden’s features but is viewed as sinful in Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife.
I find the poem more powerful since it creates a contrast between two planes of female attention. The inclusion of the lady makes Lanval’s portrayal of the female intent in the context of temptation and loyalty less one-sided and narrow. The lady acts as a counterpoint to the queen, who cannot stand rejection and therefore aims accusations at Lanval. On the other hand, the lady comes to the protagonist’s rescue when he needs her.
In conclusion, Lanval and Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife are both stories about loyalty and adamant refusal of temptation. Both stories include women as the root of tempting and dangerous intent; however, Lanval exhibits a more multifaceted approach to the subject. The poem shows that women are capable of deceit and support and are not employed simply as a tool for a man’s journey to salvation.
Reference
France, Marie De. (2000). Lanval. W. W. Norton & Company, Inc