Specimen Passage and Critical Commentary

Abstract

This passage is only a part of the description of the temple of Mars, erected by Theseus in the list where Palamon and Arcite are to fight. The passage enforces the destructiveness of Mars, both as god of war and as ‘infortunate’ planet. Its subject is claimed to be the painting on the walls of the temple ‘First on the wal waspeynted a forest’ (1). The perspective on the scene is that of an eye witness so that we are constantly aware of the effect of the temple on a viewer trying to take in every detail: Ther saugh I … (21) … yet saugh I ther (31) Yet saugh I … (37) Yet saugh I … (43). While this device is clearly a dramatic impropriety, for our medieval knight is telling a story set in classical Greece, it has the effect of placing us with the narrator as we attempt to take in the scene. It adds, too, a slightly disorientating touch, gives us a sense that there is something odd at work.