The Magic Fountain
"Then I spied a basin on the tree, of gold, the finest that ever sold in any fair. The spring did seem to boil. An emerald, bright green, shaped like a sieve, was the great stone, with small holes on a ruby throne."
- Yvain, lines 386 - 392
The preceding describes magic fountain as told by Calogrenant to the Queen, Yvain, and a few other knights. He tells them about the phenomenon of the magic fountain as well as his defeat by the Storm Knight. After hearing the tale, Yvain swears to avenge his cousin's defeat by traveling to the fountain himself and fighting the Storm Knight. Yvain travels to the magic fountain, repeating everything Calogrenant did, and defeats the Storm Knight.
Chretien De Troyes used the magic fountain as a plot device to begin the story. In fact, avenging the family honor (or something to that effect) is a fairly common plot hook seen in many novels and movies such as "The Crow", "The Princess Bride", and the Star Wars trilogy. Another major factor to consider was her audience. At this time in the middle ages before the printing press, manuscripts were read aloud. He needed to capture the audience's attention and imagination in order continue to the next phase of the story. The accomplished this by having a magic fountain that could create incredible thunderstorms, calling forth winds, thunder, and lightning, with the ability to ravage an entire landscape:
"From clouds piled high on clouds there fell snow mixed with rain, and hail as well. So violent were the wind and rain, that I was nearly slain by lightning striking all around and crashing trees split to the ground."- Yvain, lines 409 - 414
The magic fountain episode also served as a way for the audience to judge the worth of Yvain himself. Since he was able to beat such an imposing and obviously talented knight, he must be a knight of great and worthy proportions. This is enhanced by the fact that the Storm Knight was also able to defeat all other challengers, including Calogrenant, so easily and for such a long time. All of these factors increase Yvain's hero status, as well as grab the audience's attention:
"There were never two brave warriors more determined to cut short their lives…Their helmets bent, and meshes from their hauberks went through the air, and much blood flowed, since their bodies' heat was so intense…Both warriors were of such worth that neither'd yield a foot of earth until he'd struck a deadly blow".- Yvain, lines 785 - 799
Chretien De Troyes also uses the fountain to symbolize power. In the beginning when Yvain overpowers the Storm Knight to become Lord of Landuc, he fights using unbridled strength and skill as well as unbridled confidence. Later on, however, he is forced to learn humility before he is able to return to the fountain and regain the Lady of Landuc's love. Yvain is able to return when he has proven he is the perfect knight. This is only possible after he proves that he is not only the best fighter, in tying with Gawain, but that he is also the humblest. Yvain shows this by devoting his life to maidens in distress. Therefore, one of Chretien De Troyes' hidden messages is that power must be tempered with humility or it will become dangerous, just like a thunderstorm.
All in all, the magic fountain serves as a reason for this first confrontation that gives the audience its first real look at Yvain in action. It sets the expectation level for Yvain as well, standing as a measure against all further encounters may be consciously or unconsciously judged. It is also a symbol of power, which when unrestrained, only brings about destruction. The magic fountain is significant because it defines both the main character, Yvain, the beginning of the plot, and the manner in which the audience should interpret Yvain's actions and abilities later on in the story.
Storm Encyclopedia - Severe Thunderstorm Index
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