Portrait of Walter Scott by Sir Henry Raeburn.
Talk about the Scottish writer Walter Scott is to speak of one of the main names of the Romanticism in Great Britain. He pioneered the genre of historical novel and his works were very successful throughout Europe. He is considered one of the most influential authors and his novels have been made into film and television on several occasions. It was also poet and editor. And in our memory titles like this are engraved Ivanhoe, Quentin duward, The pirate o Rob Roy.
Today I recover (and lighten a little) another of my college essays precisely about Ivanhoe and I mix again two passions like literature and history. This time it was for the History subject and it was 1991, which is said soon. There it goes.
INTRODUCTION
This is the first novel novel in which Scott tried a specifically English topic. However, it should be noted that even within the pretense of giving a historical character to the work, the author himself acknowledges that he has taken certain liberties in that sense (mixture of fictional and historical characters). These are shown in the enmity between Saxons and Normans at the time in question, as well as other environmental details. This does not diminish the importance of the novel, but rather Scott's narrative agility ensures reader interest.
Perhaps the most attractive characters are the purely imaginary ones like Ivanhoe, his beloved Lady rowena or the beautiful Hebrew Rebecca, Daughter of Isaac of York. They are also Friar Tuck, jovial and fighter, or Ordinary, the faithful and devoted jester of Cedric the Saxon, Ivanhoe's father. And next to them appear legendary characters like the famous Robin Hood and real like kings and brothers Richard the Lionheart and Juan Sin Tierra, which contribute to increase the interest of the novel.
LOCATION AND HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT
The play is set in the XII century in England under the reign of Richard the Lionheart and presents four fundamental themes historically speaking.
1.NOrmans and Saxons
Referring to the fight between Normans and Saxons, a conflict that appears reflected from the beginning of the invasion of the former in the land of the latter, imposing another type of life, a different language and customs. The clearest example of opposition to this dominance is seen in the character of Cedric the Saxon against sir Brian deBois-Guilbert.
This does not happen with the King Richard that, despite being Norman, enjoy the admiration of his subjects for their participation in the Crusades. It should be noted, however, the mythification of this king who in history did not play a really decisive role and it was not especially good for England.
2. The Crusades
Linking with this, we must consider the issue of the Crusades, since in addition to King Richard, two fictional characters also participated in them: the protagonist, Ivanhoe and Knights Templar like the aforementioned Bois-Guilbert. And all of them they return as pilgrims from the Holy Land. It should be remembered that the Crusades originated from the peak of the pilgrimages to Jerusalem, especially to the Holy Sepulcher.
3. The Plantagenet brothers
Another issue is referring to rivalries between Juan Sin Tierra and his brother Ricardo. Thus, as a historical reference, Richard I, son of Enrique II Plantagenet and Eleanor of Aquitaine, succeeded him to the throne after facing him. Here he is represented as the Black Knight, which is not revealed until the end, when he joins the protagonist and his friends to confront his brother Juan.
Paper John Without Land in the novel it is that of the usurper of the rightful King Richard, a fact that we appreciate in his concern about the threat posed by Ivanhoe, since he has fought alongside Ricardo in the Crusades.
4. The Jews in the Middle Ages
The character of Isaac of York is the representative of such an important and well-known social class as that of the Jews and their role in medieval society, since this town was persecuted throughout the Middle Ages due to both economic and religious factors. In fact, we meet Isaac of York, relegated to a negligible place at Cedric the Saxon table early in the novel with pilgrims coming with him and by servants.
However, your financial power and wealth allow you to have a certain rank in society and also interacts with influential people or makes loans. A clear example is the scene of first tournament that takes place and where you can see it near Juan Sin Tierra and his entourage. Also when he grants Ivanhoe the loan for the acquisition of his armor and his horse to participate in it.
All of this reflects the historical situation of the moment regarding this social class and its monopoly in economic matters, with which they earned the antipathy of the people.
HISTORICAL STRUCTURE AND CHARACTERS
Having already summoned King Richard and his brother John, the social classes of this novel most representative of the Middle Ages are the gentlemen and the common people.
The gentlemen here they play a much more relevant role almost than in reality, highlighting human values more. For example, we have Ivanhoe. He is not a very active character, but he is noble in his deeds and attitudes such as religious tolerance for the treatment he receives from Isaac de York and his daughter and for which Ivanhoe appreciates without prejudice. We also have your desire for reconciliation with his father, although he is always suspicious and distant. And of course there is your courage in battle, first in the Crusades and then in his country against the usurpers of the kingdom.
El common people, the peasantry and serfdom would be exemplified by Ordinary, always loyal to his lord Cedric and later to Ivanhoe. And also by Gurth, the jester in the Saxon jurisdiction. Both represent the typically feudal relationship of vassalage between a lord and his servants. As well They are a clear example of the generalized opposition of the people to the invader.
FICTIONAL CHARACTERS
They are the majority and Scott uses them to work historical reality with imaginary events that at the same time enhance that reality..
- Ivanhoe is the one move the action, although the events and environment that surround him are the elements that condition his actions.
- Lady rowena is the female character passive while that of Rebecca is much more asset. Here it is necessary to point out the role of women, since Rowena is the typical medieval lady while Rebecca is a more committed character in the story. Without going any further, it is the motive for episodes like Ivanhoe's final fight by rescuing her from trial What is done to her for being accused of being a witch.
- Cedric the Saxon is feudal lord par excellence, in addition to a hospitable, temperamental character, with fixed ideas and firm patriotism.
- And it only remains to note the presence of Robin HoodWhether it is fictitious or not, its importance is relevant. His friendship with Ivanhoe and the Black Knight will essential to fight the usurpers and regain the throne for their king. This, when it is made known, will return its former privileges for having remained faithful to its principles.
CONCLUSION
Walter Scott manages to awaken with this work the public fondness for the historical literary genre in which his fantasy uses the resources of scholarly research, complementing it with his talents as a storyteller. It manages to reflect the historical reality faithfully despite telling an imaginary story, but very well framed and linked, so that its plausibility is palpable.