How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Page)
Quote #10
'God,' said Tristan, 'what sorrow it is to part! How unhappy is the man who loses his beloved! But it must be done to make up for all the suffering you have endured on my account; you need suffer no longer. When the time comes to take leave of each other I will pledge my love to you and you shall pledge yours to me. Whatever land I am in, neither peace nor war will prevent me from sending my news to you. And send me your greetings, my love.' (12.107)
Tristan and Yseut are still behaving like romantic lovers despite the effects of the potion wearing off. Maybe this means that their love is actually true: even without magic, they are still devoted to one another.
Quote #11
'Oh God,' he said, 'what a fate! What I have suffered for the sake of love! I never complained of my love, nor do I now lament my distress. But why does love assail me? Why wound me? God, what should I do? [For it seems to me that I have already suffered greatly because of my love.] Have I not done all that love requires? [. . .] May love, which conquers all things, grant me my desire to hold her once more in my arms.' (18.152)
Here Tristan behaves like a "typical" medieval romance lover. He speaks about his love as a "wound" that causes him to suffer greatly in a figure of speech that emphasizes the physical effect of love on the body. He also personifies love itself as a god or sovereign that can grant or deny petitions at will. Long gone is the Tristan under the influence of magic who could declare, "I am not weary."