The use of motifs in literature help focus and enhance the story, it connects all the different parts of a single text in order to promote the main point the author is trying to get across to his readers. In other words, writers use motifs to add depth, meaning, and shape the way us readers receive and understand the story. This is done by using repetition to enhance the symbolic importance, it makes them noticeable enough to clarify the nature of the story and the course of events. It is extremely useful in intricate works that involve multiple plots, elements, and characters that make if challenging to criticize. Motifs can be broken down into a single element allowing the opportunity to conclude and provide perception into the important …show more content…
The most obvious comparison is the dilemma that is faced in each. In Lanval, the mistress provides Lanval with gifts and brings him happiness. She said she will continue to do this if he keeps their relationship a secret and if he doesn’t then she will never seem him again. At the end he reveals their secret, however, she still rescues him because she is charmed with him. This is seen in the story on page 4 when she says “Lanval," she said, “my friend, my dear, I left my lands to come where you are; To find you I have come so far! Be valiant and courtly in everything, and no emperor, count or king Ever had joy or blessings above you; For, more than any thing, I love you." The fairy is very ambiguous and mysterious, but is not shy about her feelings towards Lanval the knight. The author wants us to realize the misfortune that such a deep special love will always be at odds with the world, that is devoted to society. Truly this world is an unpleasant place, where lies can define your future. This is why the fairy mistress asked to keep their love a secret, so that the world won’t be able to ruin it. This contrasts with The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnell, Sir Gawain pledged his loyalty to King Arthur when he decided to marry Dame Ragnell the hideous women who saves the king’s life. At the end of the story, Dame Ragnell gives him an ultimatum that he can either chose for her to be beautiful during the day for all me to admire and at night she will be ugly for him or for her to be ugly during the day and beautiful at night. On page 10 it states, “Alas,” said Gawain, “the choice is hard! To have you fair only at night would sorely grieve my heart and take away my honor. And if I desire to have you beautiful at day time, at night I would have meager reward. I would like to choose what is best, but I have no idea what to say, so I give you the choice; do