Parzival

“Lady, I cannot conceal from you that if your religion were within my law, then I would always long for you.”

The division between Christianity and other religions creates a permissible space for transgression, reinforcing The Centrality of Christian Culture. Gahmuret marries Belacane and fathers a child with her. However, he soon abandons her to return to Europe. This abandonment of a wife and a child would not be permissible if she were Christian, but since she is not Christian, Gahmuret is within his rights to leave her. In the medieval Christian world, moral transgressions are defined according to this religious structure.

“He had won the victory over falsity.”

Gahmuret dies while far away from his wife and unborn son. His death is considered honorable and noble, not only because it was achieved on the battlefield but because of the chivalric context in which it occurred. Falsity is a greater crime than abandoning a wife and loved ones. Honesty and honor are vital to a knight, so a death that is honest and honorable is considered to be a victory over falsity. His death recalls The Importance of Chivalry and Honor in the text.

“Now keep your wits about you, and conceal all chivalry from him.”

Herzeloyde loses her husband to the world of chivalry. After his death, she is so overwhelmed by grief that she wants to shield her son from the same fate.