Abstract
This thesis aims to clarify the meanings and structure of Chrétien de Troyes' Le Conte du Graal by focusing on two subjects: vengeance and resurrection. The Gauvain part has often been neglected despite medievalists' universal consensus that it is Chrétien's authentic work. It seems difficult to see how we should understand the adventures of Gauvain within the structure of the romance. The episodes of Gauvain are characterized by a series of vengeful events in which subordinate characters feel against that second protagonist. Among others, the episode of the king of Escavalon is concerned with the quest of the Bleeding Lance. However, Chrétien does not explain the meaning of this quest; it is left to the reader to find it. The proposal of the vassal on the Bleeding Lance is especially mysterious. Here I would argue that when we contrast this episode with that of the hermit, we can for the first time recognize their diptych structure: the Bleeding Lance functions as the reverse of the Holy Grail. The latter supports the life of Perceval's uncle, while the former signifies the death of Gauvain's and the destruction of Logres. To avenge the killing of his lord by Gauvain, the vassal attempts to murder his enemy's lord — Arthur. In addition, as Erec to Yvain also demonstrates, the importance of resurrection is indubitable in Chrétien's works. In the episode of Good Friday, Perceval realizes the significance of the Crucifixion. Two days later, on the day of Easter, he receives communion in a state of mortal sin. In the context of the story, it is clearly Perceval's spiritual resurrection that matters. This resurrection sheds paradoxical light on the Gauvain part. For, as the story develops, Gauvain mounts the throne of the castle of the dead. Chrétien obviously plans to construct the Gauvain part as a kind of parody