MEMORY AS THE AGENT OF EARTHLY AND SPIRITUAL RESTORATION IN ROBERT OF CISYLE

Abstract

The fourteenth century anonymous English romance Robert of Cisyle takes its plot from the saints’ legends; therefore, it is classified under the title of homiletic romances. Considered as a secularized hagiography, the romance describes the miraculous interference of the divine power to chastise a king, his subsequent submission to all suffering and withstanding it owing to his piety. Robert, the proud King of Cisyle, is indeed a self-victimizer as he puts his trust in the earthly powers until he is punished by God and realizes their triviality. As a passive romance hero, instead of pursuing his goals determinedly, Robert endures the ordeals in order to regain his rightful place in the society after he is estranged from it. By experiencing a descent in his status from a proud king to a king’s fool, he is not recognized even by his family members, mocked and degraded by his people. At the end of the painful experiences, he realizes his being vulnerable and limited, although he is noble and wealthy. An angel replaces Robert to punish his pride, enable him to achieve self-awareness to be become a better king, and repentant of his pride. His being consistently reminded that his status now is that of a fool makes him remember what has corrupted him and made him sinful. Accordingly, this article intends to discuss the role of memory in the romance that provides the key to restoration both in secular and religious sense, as epitomized in the case of Robert who not only achieves God’s forgiveness but also regains his royal status.