Going with the flow

"He said they must go on a mission to get for him the Pope's permission to wed. They did not dare question the emperor's intent, and so away the messengers went and earls went with them, where quickly from the court of Rome they brought his dispensation home, to wed his daughter fair."

This is a significant moment in the story because it is clear that the emperor was going to go to great lengths to ensure that he could marry his own daughter. It seems like with permission, we would reasonably assume that their wedding would take place quickly after. Luckily, Emare is not forced to marry her father when she tells him that his reputation would diminish and that the marriage would be frowned on by God. But of course, the alternative to Emare marrying her father was a harsh one.

It seems like all around Emere, decisions are being made for her and she is expected to kind of go with the flow. In her new home, arrangements are quickly made to marry Emere and it seems like she is the last person to be consulted about it. Although this king ends up being a better fit for Emere, it still shows that people seem to make plans and decisions for her without considering what she would like for herself.

Emaré's Revenge

Emaré had seen the Emperor
Who had once done a terrible thing to her.
He had cast her out to sea
Which made her decide revenge is what needed he.
She hid carefully away from the man
So he could not find her plan. 
She had gone down to a small place in Rome
Where an old woman whom sold potions called this her home.
Emaré spoke of the evil her father had committed
So the old woman gave her a potion that she had seen fitted.
She took this potion home to her young boy
To which she explained was not a toy.
 "Pour this in the drink of the Emporer tonight,
  But when you are done make sure you take flight!
  If my father finds out what you have done
  He will cast us away and then he will have won!"
So the boy poured the potion into the Emporer's wine
He served it to him as they all sat and dined.
The more the Emporer drank, the more tired he became.
So drunk and tired he could not remember his name.
He then decided to go up to bed
Emaré's plan begun as soon as hey layed down his head.
Emaré entered his room without making a sound
Her husband, the King, had also come around
To aid her in plan
So loyal, he never ran.
They picked up the Emperor and carried him out to the sea
They put him on a float and off went he.
He would soon wake up and find out his destiny
For he would not survive as his daughter did, because less of a person is he.

The Power Within

The story of Emare is one that explores themes of isolation, influence and fate. In the beginning, Emare is with her father who, as Emare grows up, wishes to marry her because of her virtuousness and pure nature. Her nature is made clear when the author uses phrases such as "Her skin was white as a lily in May Or snow that falls on a winter's day." (Emare, 40%) At first glance this description of her is like that of Snow White. This is significant because this depiction of female lead characters sets them apart from the archetypes of other characters. 

Emare is cast out to sea. This is the first instance where she is isolated from society. It is worth noting that water typically symbolizes emotions expressed in the mind. When the ocean is stormy, it externalizes the internal struggle we go through when isolated. In addition, the way Emare escapes most of these situations is with divine help from God: "So ever she lay still. At last she was driven onto land Through the grace of God's own hand That all things may fulfill." (Emare, 58%) This shows that Emare was saved by fate. If the sea represents the ocean, then this scene suggests that our superego (as Freud called it) helps us combat negative feelings. Furthermore, when Emare is cast out again by her husband, it leaves a lasting impact on him. The idea that women have the power to influence men is not new. In today's culture, movies such as Sucker Punch reveal how much psychological power women have over men. In conclusion, Emare is a story about the lessons of how fate, influence and isolation can affect our lives. I find the story to be an empowering message for women. 

The Biggest Regret

"There came a wind, I understand,

That blew the boat away from land

     And swept it out of sight,

And now to the emperor came the thought

That possibly his deed had not

     Been absolutely right.

He stood there thinking with a frown,

Then fainted suddenly, falling down.

     He was a sorry sight."

(277-285)

This quote is of importance because it is the pivoting point to the plot. Had the emperor thought about controlling his rage for just a minute longer, Emare would have never been sent away. This quote shows the importance of how anger can completely impact one's future.

We might need a bigger boat...

Throughout the poem “Emaré,” there are instances of repetition whether it be a stanza or use of symbolism. Additionally, the events throughout the poem are repeated in poor Emaré’s life. Her life is repeatedly controlled by someone else whether it be her father or mother-in-law. She seems like she cannot catch a break until the end of the poem.

Repetition can emphasize many different things within literature. For example, repetition can emphasize settings, character traits, small details, or mood within the plot. Within the poem “Emaré,” lines 325-336 and lines 673-684 are identical – some wording was changed for the meter of the poem. The repeated stanza describes Emaré’s lonely time on the boat, and that she reaches land. This stanza seems to emphasize the feeling that Emaré has been at this point in her life before. She knows the feeling of being sent away by someone who said he loves her. She knows the gut-wrenching feeling of being on a boat and not knowing where she is heading – or if she will make it there alive.

The ocean is a symbol that is repeated in the poem. Every time Emaré is sent away she travels by water. She does not travel by horse which is common within medieval literature. The ocean typically reminds people of summer which is conveyed as a happier time. However, the ocean can remind people of a dark or scary place. In the poem, the ocean could symbolize a cleansing of Emaré’s old life so she can start a new beginning. When she reached Wales, she changed her name to forget about her life before. When Emare and her son reached Rome, she never told anyone about her past.

The repetition and symbolism add to the overall mood of the poem. Both draw the reader in to wonder if Emaré will ever get to land safely, and if she will ever receive her happily ever after.

Deep down maybe he knew...?

When Sir Orfeo decided he was going to leave the kingdom in the hands of his steward and go off into the woods he was explaining that they should choose a new king when they learn his death. My question is, if he was relinquishing his crown and basically saying that he was going to go live in the woods forever, why would he have them wait to declare a new king at all?

Orfeo's Wife is His Life

Sir Orfeo arrived to see the fairy king

He exclaimed, “I come not to cry or sing

But rather I want to be here and stand

Before you and play with my harp in hand.”

The fairy king accepted his offer and let him play

As he would not regret it that day.

Orfeo’s playing was very beautiful and alluring

That the fairy king could not hold himself without ensuring

That this minstrel should be by his side playing

Everyday for him without delaying.

The king would offer Orfeo whatever he would desire

As long as he would play for him everyday to admire.

Otherwise, Orfeo may choose to go on his way,

But never to return, much to his dismay.

Orfeo was uncertain about staying in the kingdom of faerie

But he knew in his heart that this was necessary.

For he loved his Herodis with all his heart,

So he decided to stay and not depart.

He ended up paying with his life

To stay in the land of fairy to be with his wife.

As many as thousands of years have passed,

Still no one in Thrace would know of last

When Sir Orfeo had ruled his kingdom of Thrace

As it lays barren with no king in its place.

Sir Orfeo continues to live eternally with his days occupied

As he plays for the fairy king with his love by his side.

This is an alternative ending of Sir Orfeo

Which now you have come to know.

Music that reunites love