Le sénéchal Keu ou la fonction cosmique du rire

The seneschal Keu or the cosmic function of laughter. The role of the over-confident seneschal Keu in Chretien de Troyes’ romances is compared to that of Bricriu, the evil-tongued and master of ceremonies ; of Conan, the impulsive warrior ; and of the ill-natured Norse god Loki, provider and trickster. The conflit and laughter they create are the expression of their ambiguous character and the very signs of their functions as mediators of sovereignty (either royal or heroic) and cosmic order (the birth of a new time or a new era), initiators of a quest or of a tale. Keu’s function does not differ from that of the Welsh Cei who, through his action or inaction in Culwch and Olwen, contributes to the honour and glory of Arthur

Art · Glory · Honour · Humanities · Laughter · Literature · Physics · Historical Studies of British Isles · History · Medieval Literature and History · Philosophy