Problem
Film: Excerpt from Perceval le Gallois (dir. Éric Rohmer, 1978)
What is your initial reaction to this film after the first 10 minutes? What makes it different from other depictions of the Middle Ages we have seen so far? What is most surprising?
The words the actors speak and sing are almost verbatim the words written by Chrétien de Troyes and performed by medieval troubadours and bards. Can you make a case for why this film's approach is historically accurate? What is the best case against its accuracy?
What kind of hero is Perceval? Why does he make the mistakes he does? Does he have a good understanding of chivalry or not?