Summary:
Examines how the power of the feminine is always a possibility, and sometimes a threatening one, in the Arthurian world. Describes how all female characters in Arthurian Literature are always a threat to patriarchy.
All women have power in Arthurian Literature and all those portrayed are always a threat to patriarchy. They all have the ability to do or to use magic [possible exception is Isode, she seems to simply be a victim of it]. Maidens use magic almost constantly [Lunete and Lyonet], beloveds have access to it [Isode is victim to the potion, whilst Laudine has a magic ring and is plagued by ownership of a particularly vicious Jungian fountain]. Enchantresses are slightly more complicated. Although there are some women who can be purely designated 'witch' [Morgan le Fay, Nenieve/ Vivian/ Nimue] the pervasion of magical signifiers throughout the text in reference to women means that the term 'witch' cannot simply be attached to those who use magic. Neither can it be reserved for those who use magic directly.....
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