The captured maiden, monster, rescuing hero trope is as old as story telling. One common variation derived from European folk-lore has a princess and a dragon in the starring roles. This has become a fantasy cliche over the last few decades, eventually leading to creative alternate approaches, such as in the movie SHREK. I've written a couple of stories that play with the idea, and this poem, which I think takes an original approach. I hope you enjoy it.
Also, this trope plays into male-dominance, and its a short step from there to the abuse and pedophilia that is so prominent in the news these days. It's all about power in relationships, and power corrupts.
Afterthought - I didn't watch the music vid at the Garden post until just now, so the idea of using a dragon is completely coincidental, and resonates in a rather weird way.
IN PRAYER SHE CONTEMPLATES
Far from her home, sequestered in a cave
In dampness, gloom and foul lizard's filth
With golden chains that mock a kingdom's wealth,
She waits the coming of the knight or knave --
The fool who'd face the flame and fang to save
A royal maiden from this monstrous death.
The fool arrives. To scale and scalding breath
He shouts his dare. Could one so wild and brave
Be any but a lout? No doubt he'd clench
A princess as he would some low-born wench.
Is lance of knight or fang of worm to be
The one to test her vain virginity?
Reposed in prayer she contemplates her sins,
Then spies her knight, and prays the dragon wins.
~~::~~::~~
"....and prays the dragon wins...." Now that is my kind of fairy tale. I love it.
ReplyDeleteI'd hope they both end each other and one of them drops a key so she could keep the treasure for herself.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Rommy.
ReplyDeleteA possibility I never considered.
Deletenamaste
JzB
Yeppers. I'm with Rommy and that she and the dragon split the treasure and run away.
ReplyDeleteDragon and Knight...Neither is a catch...Take her dignity and run.
ReplyDelete