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Cherewatuk's book on 'Morte Darthur' published

By Tom Vogel
February 21, 2007

Professor of English Karen Cherewatuk's book, Marriage, Adultery and Inheritance in Malory's Morte Darthur, now is available in the United States. The book was published in England last fall by Boydell & Brewer, one of the leading publishers in medieval studies.

In her book, Cherewatuk looks at marriage in the Middle Ages as an institution encompassed by conflicting public and private dimensions. She examines the concept of marriage as seen in the Morte Darthur, the story of King Arthur and his knights, and moves beyond it to look at 'adulterous' and other male/female relationships, and their impact on the world of the Round Table.

Cherewatuk addresses the compromise achieved between youthful passion and the gentry's practical view of marriage in the 'Tale of Sir Gareth'; the problems of Arthur's marriage in light of political necessity and Guinevere's infertility and adultery; and the consequences of Lancelot's adultery in the tragedies of Elaine of Astolat and Elaine of Corbin. Focusing on three generations of Pendragon men, Cherewatuk also considers the myth of "benevolent paternity," by which men -- whether born legitimate or bastard -- were united through the Round Table.

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.