| Petitcrieu | |
|---|---|
| Tristan character | |
| First appearance |
|
| Created by | Gottfried von Strassburg |
| In-universe information | |
| Species | Dog |
| Family | |
| Origin | Avalon |
Petitcrieu, alternatively spelledPetitcreiu,Petitcru, orPticru, is a legendary magical dog fromArthurian legend present in thechivalric romance ofTristan and Iseult.
InGottfried von Strassburg'sTristan, Petitcrieu was a magical fairy dog fromAvalon owned by Duke Gilan of Wales, given to him by a goddess as a token of love. WhenTristan visited Gilan after having been exiled from Cornwall, the Duke sent Petitcrieu to cheer up his guest. Petitcrieu was indescribably beautiful and multicolored, and wore a magical golden bell on its collar. The bell had a sweet-sounding ring that made anybody who heard it feel happy.[1][2] The dog could not move or resist, and had to be carried from place to place and accept whatever treatment it received. In addition, it had no appetite and was incapable of eating.[3]
Tristan made a deal with the Duke that if he killed the giant Urgan, he would receive any reward of his choosing. Upon completing his task, Tristan took Petitcrieu and gave it toIseult so that she would be happy forever, but she removed the magic bell and threw it into the sea so that she would feel her genuine emotions without having them masked by magic.[2][4] Without the bell, Petitcrieu could no longer erase Iseult's sorrow, but was able to be her companion in both sorrow and joy.[5]
In a 1992 article in the journalColloquia Germanica, Aaron E. Wright argues the Petitcrieu is not actually a dog inTristan, but rather an inanimate object, as evidenced by the character's unnatural coloration, lack of energy or appetite, and how other characters treat it. In addition, Petitcrieu is referred to by the neuterGerman pronounez (es), equivalent to the English pronounit, rather than the masculine terms typically used for dogs in German. Wright argues that Petitcrieu may be a fancifultaxidermy dog or anautomaton, but is most likely a metaphorical representation of a piece of literature or poetry.[3]
In a 2015 article inMediaevistik, Christopher R. Clarkson similarly writes that Petitcrieu is a metaphorical representation of art as a distraction. More specifically, he argues that Petitcrieu serves as an aesthetic distraction from the sorrow that the lovers in the romance feel. By rejecting Petitcrieu's magic, Iseult is able to authentically love Tristan, even in his absence.[5]