In historical mythology what was the story of Tristan?

Answer 1

Tristan was a young knight of the round table and, like many of those knights, had a tragic love affair. he was the nephew of Mark,the King of Cornwall, and was made Mark's champion.

Tristan was sent to escort his uncles new bride Iseult, the princess of Ireland to her wedding. Iseult brought her daithful maid, Brangien, with her. Iseult's mother gave Brangien a love potion, so that she could win the man she loved. Tristan and Iseult accidently drank the love potion. They became lovers on the trip.

To hide her infidelity, Iseult had Brangien take her place, as she was still a virgin. Later Iseult tried to have Brangien murdered, to ensure her silence, but was unsuccessful. Iseult later repented the deed.

Tristan and Iseult continued their affair until tristan accidently bled on her bed. Mark immediately became suspicious, and accused Iseult of adultery. To clear her name, Iseult swore on a hot iron the no man but Mark and a beggar, who caught her when she fell, had held her. Since the beggar was really Tristan in diguise, she was able to make that vow.

In light of this occurance, Tristan decided to distance himself from Iseult. he moved to Brittany and eventually married a woman who was called Iseult of the white hands. He still had his love for Iseult, and Iseult of the white hands was very jealous. He never laid with his wife which caused her jealousy to become uncontrolled.

Tristan became poisoned and sent for Iseult. He believed that she had the power to heal him. If she agreed to come, the ship would have white sails. If she declined, the ship would have black. In a fit of jealousy,Iseult of the white hands lied about the color of the sails, and claimed that they were black. Tristan died upon hearing this. When Iseult arrived and found him dead, she died as well of a broken heart. Mark had them buried side by side. A vine and a rose grew from their graves, forever entertwined.

There is another version of the story, in which Mark finds out about their affair and kills Tristan. Personally, I like the first ending better. There are many paintings of this couple, and they seem to follow Lancelot and Guinevere's example.

Answer 2

This story exists in various forms in tales from Wales, England, Germany, and France. One version is in Le Morte D'Arthur, and this is perhaps the most commonly known. The story (most versions, anyway) involves the love between Tristan, (Sometimes called Tristram) Isolde (Ysolde, Iseult, etc.) and Tristan's kinsman King Mark. It involves the unfortunate consumption of a love potion with the wrong man present, which explains why king Mark was so understanding when it is found out that his wife has been cheating on him: it wasn't really anyone's fault.

As for the story in pop culture: the movie version is pretty, but pretty awful if you're looking for the myth. I just don't get the trend to do mythology in movies without magic present. They changed a lot besides that, too. There is a novel called The White Raven that is fairly accurate, and a fun read. Qntal's third album deals with the subject of this tale, but as I don't speak German, let alone middle German, I can't tell you how accurate it is. It sounds great, though, which is their main goal.

Answer 3

Tristan is one of the main characters of the story of Tristan and Isolde. In the legend, he was a Cornish hero and one of the knights of the Round Table. He was the nephew, of King Mark of Cornwall, sent to fetch Isolde back from Ireland to wed the king. However, they fall in love (often ascribed to a love potion). This legend, makes it's first medieval appearance in 1120 in Celtic Folklore circulating in the north of France. The oldest stories about Tristan are lost but, some of the derivatives still exist. The most famous are by Thomas of Britain and the german Gottfried Von Strassburg.

Answer 4

The legend of Tristan and Isolde was one of the most influential medieval romances, which was about a love triangle between the hero, his uncle King Mark and Isolde, his uncle's wife.

Answer 5

There's a movie out. Tristan and Isolade (sp?). Rent it.

Answer 6

i love that story. i would tell you it, but people have already beaten me to it....

Answer 7

try here :)