Transformation of the Knight in the Moniage Guillaume

Abstract

The Moniage maintains a certain idea of William discernible in the Chanson de Guillaume: independent yet loyal to the crown but difficult to assimilate into courtly society. Thus, no matter his circumstances, he is peripheral. The tale of the Moniage adds the idea of hermit to the William Cycle, just as the Chanson brings Guibourc to prominence. In other words, the William epics foreground literary or cultural preoccupations. Though the manuscript tradition may hide from us the earlier storytelling tradition, careful examination of these topics aids in differentiating the historical audience response to various types of themes.