Yvain ( Day 3)

As brought up in class discussion, I wish to post this blog on the topic of the meaning as to the symbolism of the fountain. To me, the fountain was the symbol of Laudine's trust. At the beginning of the romance when Laudine and her current husband are guarding the fountain (before Yvain arrives), it can be assumed that there is trust between Laudine and her husband because she asks him to faithfully guard the fountain, and so he does. While he is guarding it, Laudine has put her trust completely in it being guarded. When Yvain kills the knight, her trust is broken like her relationship with her former husband, until she marries Yvain in the hopes that all will be well. It is her intention that he will guard the fountain and so she puts her trust in him when they wed. Unfortunately, the trust is once again broken not only when Yvain leaves with the fountain unguarded, but when he breaks his promise to return in a years time. After the year is over, Laudine is furious at Yvain and the symbolic fountain of trust knows it. In my opinion, this was why the storm came. Finally, Yvain returns and Laudine is still upset with him. The fountain and storm rage on. However, once she accepts Yvain back into her life under the condition that he guards the fountain, all is well. There is trust between Yvain and Laudine, there is a knight to guard the fountain, and the storm ends.