4. At the mid-point of the romance we have Yvain’s encounter with the snake and the lion. What do these animals represent within the romance (and within popular mythology)? What is the dilemma Yvain faces here (on a deeper level)?
When reading this question I struggled to recall pertinent myths that contained lions or serpents. The serpent of the Bible came to mind first, but the serpent solely representing the devil in Yvain didn't stick so much. The only mythological creature I could think of that even contained a lion was the chimera; part lion, part serpent, part eagle, and that at first didn't seem to hold relevance to the text. Upon considering further Yvain's dilemma in the text, and the contextual meaning of this drama for medieval times, however, the chimera made excellent sense.
Yvain struggles against an internal conflict of identity at this point in the story. His personal sense of honor and his renowned glory among the land built an untouchable image from his perspective. Yvain believed himself to be perfected from his ventures with Gawain, but he forgets his promise and utterly fails to uphold his word to his wife Laudine. Upon hearing the words of Laudine's messenger, words that entirely strip him of his male aegis, his character is torn in two. Yvain struggles between the pressure to maintain his honor among the court and the necessity to express his despair. This disillusionment breaks Yvain and sends him into the depths of insanity.
When Yvain comes upon the serpent fighting the lion I believe it's a symbol of conquering shame and insanity to uphold honor. The serpent and the lion fighting one another mirror Yvain's conflict of identity, and his ability to entirely slay the serpent represent his ability as a man to move past his shame and regain his person and his knighthood.
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